CALENDAR MAGAZINE
"Rating of Local Barbecue Restaurant"
UNCLE PETE'S HICKORY RIBS
309-311 Bennington St., East boston, 617-569-RIBS (7427)Â
Located in a onetime Dairy Queen in the heart of Eastie's busy Day Square, Uncle Pete's is a recent and deserving addition to the local barbecue scene. Owners Peter and Pha Cucchiara plunked down $12,000 for a Texas-built smoker when they opened their doors last August, and they take their barbecue seriously. Their dry-rubbed spareribs and beef ribs are both meaty, lean, and smoky. We like their smoked and rotisseried chicken, too, although we found their pulled pork and brisket a bit dry. Both tomato-based mild and hot sauces are lively, though the ribs in particular do just fine by themselves. Uncle Pete's long and narrow dining room is worth a visit even if the journey includes the Callahan and Summer tunnels. And the prices are a deal. Four of us gorged ourselves for well under $35. Hot tip, the spareribs and beef ribs samplers each consist of three ribs, two side dishes and yes, a sweet potato biscuit for just $395.