We recently spent the weekend in our new cabin up in the Catskills. As we don't currently have running water, cooking has been a little interesting - to say the least. Although it is amazing what you can produce in one pot and on a wood burning stove/fireplace, I was happy to take a night off and try out a local place we'd often driven past but never ventured into.
The Cha Cha BBQ Hut is the perfect spot to try local BBQ - in fact, according to their press, the only 'real' barbeque in the Catskills. Like many other new foodies in the area, owners Frank and Cherie moved upstate for a change of pace to their hectic city life (he was in the recording industry and she was in IT) As their online story mentions ' Cherie was raised in Detroit by a mother that hated cooking, a father that liked it less and a grandmother who thought spices were implements of Satan. Despite that, she has become an accomplished cook.' Indeed, their passion for bbq is the result of 20 years of first trialing and testing various methods out on friends and family in their backyard. They opened Cha Cha in 2010 in Roxbury, NY and moved to one other location before finding their now current home in Arkville, NY.
Although they originally used locally sourced pork, it became difficult to obtain on a regular basis; they now have a very good and reputable supplier from the south. And the result is fantastic! The menu covers divine sandwiches (see the aptly named 'Three Pigs' above) with pork a main feature, as well as ribs, chili, brisket and delicious sides with a twist- Cherie's mustard slaw and smoked mac and cheese are outstanding!
We got chatting with owner Frank, who gave us a rundown on the awesome half dozen sauces they make in house and serve on the table as well as to sell and take away. These ranged from the mild and sweet 'Pour Some Sugar on Meat' to the fiery 'ZyzzyB'S KAOS Sauce' with something in between for everyone's taste.
With wonderful Brooklyn beer label Sixpoint, also available, we think The Cha Cha Hut is the perfect place to take your next bbq craving and well worth the 21/2 hour drive from the city!
Nikki xx
The Cha Cha BBQ Hut is the perfect spot to try local BBQ - in fact, according to their press, the only 'real' barbeque in the Catskills. Like many other new foodies in the area, owners Frank and Cherie moved upstate for a change of pace to their hectic city life (he was in the recording industry and she was in IT) As their online story mentions ' Cherie was raised in Detroit by a mother that hated cooking, a father that liked it less and a grandmother who thought spices were implements of Satan. Despite that, she has become an accomplished cook.' Indeed, their passion for bbq is the result of 20 years of first trialing and testing various methods out on friends and family in their backyard. They opened Cha Cha in 2010 in Roxbury, NY and moved to one other location before finding their now current home in Arkville, NY.
Although they originally used locally sourced pork, it became difficult to obtain on a regular basis; they now have a very good and reputable supplier from the south. And the result is fantastic! The menu covers divine sandwiches (see the aptly named 'Three Pigs' above) with pork a main feature, as well as ribs, chili, brisket and delicious sides with a twist- Cherie's mustard slaw and smoked mac and cheese are outstanding!
We got chatting with owner Frank, who gave us a rundown on the awesome half dozen sauces they make in house and serve on the table as well as to sell and take away. These ranged from the mild and sweet 'Pour Some Sugar on Meat' to the fiery 'ZyzzyB'S KAOS Sauce' with something in between for everyone's taste.
With wonderful Brooklyn beer label Sixpoint, also available, we think The Cha Cha Hut is the perfect place to take your next bbq craving and well worth the 21/2 hour drive from the city!
Nikki xx