There is nothing more symbolic of summer than a sunny day and a tailgate, and Vancouver has one of the best popping up once a month, all through the season, courtesy of Railtown Cafe and Railtown Catering.
Equipped with their own custom-made 12-foot barbecue barrel, Railtown Catering is bringing back their Tailgate BBQ Series for 2023! The first of the season was held on June 25, which I attended. And if you missed it, be sure to catch the next and last two on July 23rd and August 20th. Two dates with two seatings available per day: 3:00 pm and 5:00pm.
Today’s occasion was held at their flagship Railtown Cafe location, but the subsequent events will be at the Boxcar Patio located at 917 Main Street in July and August.
Ticket holders start off in the actual cafe, picking their beverage of choice between wine by the cup or a canned beer or cooler from out of an ice tub. I opted for their house made cocktail that seemed like the perfect drink pairing with BBQ: a Spiked bourbon and triple sec iced tea.
You then get your choice of two sides from salad or potatoes, plus a slice of corn bread. Your options are Carolina Coleslaw, Creamy Potato Salad, Classic Caesar Salad, and/or Farmers’ Market Field Greens. I went for the former two as classic BBQ accompaniments that added longevity to the meaty meal ahead. The potatoes were firm yet creamy with a tang, I especially liked the use of dill. And the slaw was crisp with a freshness that gives you a break in between all the heavier bites.
My guest had the Caesar salad and we noted that it was a little wilted by the time we got to it. But this was because we arrived at the last 30 minutes of our designated seating and it was later in the day. The Tailgate started at 3pm and it was 6pm by the time we came to it, with a firm end time of 8pm and all tickets holders fed well before.
You get a generous scoop of each chosen side ladled on to a paper plate. This you then bring outside to their tailgate barbecue set up.
The corn bread added a welcome sweetness to the mix, much like the grilled half corn on the cob. The cornbread was more cakey with a buttery quality to it.
As for the BBQ itself, Railtown Catering uses apple wood smokers, giving their barbecue a slightly sweet fragrance and flavour that enhances their quality meats. Every ticket grants you the following: 35-hour Texas-style Beef Brisket, Applewood-smoked Pork Shoulder, Beer-brined Maple Hill Farms Chicken, and Bratwurst Sausage. The enjoyment of eating comes from the ability to mix and match meat to side for curated bites and a variety of textures.
The chicken is beer-brined to get it tender to the bone. Is it some of the most moist that I have had from a barbecue, that upon first bite it won me over.
The pulled pork was equally succulent and saucy with generous amounts of their sweet and tangy bbq sauce poured over.
The brisket was favourite, despite it being on the fattier side. At least the fat practically melts and helped to tenderize the actual meat. This was so rich that I had to chase each bite with a side of creamy potato salad.
They don’t make their own, but the way they grilled their currybrats were great. It ate clean, but you don’t get much curry flavour per se. It actually reminded me more of a savoury breakfast sausage with plenty of herb seasonings.
For those interested in tickets for the next one, check out the link below. The Tailgate Plate is available for $35.00. Attendees also have the option of a Vegetarian Plate for $35.00 with Vegan Bratwursts, or a Railtown Cheeseburger or Beyond Meat Burger and your Choice of Sides for $25.00. All tickets also includes a beverage with an up to $7 value. Drink specials this year includes the Lynchburg Lemonade for $7 single, and you can also make it a double for $2 more. Or the Railtown Ruby Sangria, which also $7. Non-alcoholic beverages like flavoured iced-teas, lemonades, and other soft drinks will also be available.
Railtown Cafe
397 Railway St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1A4
604-428-0800
railtowncafe.ca
