Lip-Smacking Barbeque: @American_Q Now Open in B Resort! #orlando

Disclaimer: Reading this article will induce Drooling!!

Located in the B Resort, in the Walt Disney World® Resort, American Q is a Rodízio-style concept offering a modern take on classic barbeque. Helmed by Executive Chef Justin Leo, who has curated a unique menu that caters to the palates of barbecue enthusiasts, highlighting the flavor profiles of more than a dozen regions throughout the United States and Latin America. Dedicating to support local farms and creating original made from scratch recipes including sausages, sides, sauces, and more.

A full-service bar offers creative cocktails, wines and a large selection of craft beers from regions throughout North America as well as a dedicated Bar Snacks menu including the restaurant’s signature Swine Candy Smoked Bacon roasted with molasses and spice; House Made Tater Tots with bacon salt, and Deviled Crab-Stuffed Eggs with blue crab and remoulade.

One sip was all it took to appreciate the painstaking process of creating and perfecting hand-crafted cocktails with in-house-made syrups and flavorings. The Japanese Old Fashioned with Hibiki Whiskey, chai simple syrup, angoustro bitters blew me away with it’s complex flavors balanced with Asian spices. The Caribbean Passion Picante with vodka, cinnamon simple syrup, chili sauce, mango and passion fruit puree delivered just the right amount of heat and sweetness. Correct me if I am wrong, a generous slice of fresh fruit as garnish for each cocktail – now that’s going above and beyond!!

Did I mention the Candy Bacon? Thick-cut bacon, smoky molasses, slight kick of heat – I had to literally walk away from fear of devouring all! Man, I can’t wait to introduce my kids to this bacon.

The Rodízio parade of barbecue meats and poultry we had the pleasure of tasting were: Slow Smoked Tom Turkey Drum, Bacon-Wrapped Boneless Chicken Thighs, House Made Chorizo, Smoked Pork Shoulder with Spiced Onions, Texas Bark Beef Brisket, Turkey Thigh with Turkey Sausage Stuffing, Picanha of Beef, Carolina Style Flank Steak, and Vegetable Brochette. American Q is pleased to offer Florida Fresh Meats’ grass-fed, hormone free beef and pork as well as free-range chicken.

The Texas Beef Brisket and Smoked Turkey were meltingly tender (shh! its a secret recipe) that made my foodie soul moan in delight!. I was totally digging the nuttiness of the Pecan Wood smoke in the beef. It was literally a game of roulette trying to match Executive Chef Leo’s house-made Hot Sauces with the generous table-side cowboy carvings.

An A La Carte menu is also available including St. Louis Spare Ribs 6 hour smoked spare ribs, sweet Kansas City BBQ sauce, house slaw and garlic Texas toast and Texas Bark Beef Ribs – 6 hr smoked beef back ribs. A picture is worth a thousand words. In this instance, The Bokeh Studio once more brilliantly captures American Q’s signature creations.

Chef Leo’s personal touches include a baked-to-order cornbread skillet and four house made sauces, highlighting namesake barbecue regions including Kansas City, Carolina, Texas Mustard and for the Latin American inspiration, a Mango Heat. If forced to pick a favorite, I’d probably have to go with Texas Mustard since I am a sucker for mustard. Though based on sound authority (Mr. Marques fancies the sweet Mango Heat with Pichana).

At American Q they take every dish seriously, especially the endless array of sides perched on the 51 cherry red Ford F1 pickup truck. The flatbed buffet could very well be star of the evening with house specialties such as chili, baked potato bar, made from scratch spinach gratin and the quintessential mac & cheese. The Spinach Gratin was creamy and flavorful unlike it’s counterparts at most restaurants that believe the answer to taste lies in butter and heavy cream only. Mac & Cheese followed suit with delicate flavoring and lightness of body. Oh the Chili and Baked Beans here was as good as any I’d ever had. Smoky, spicy, and sweet – it was a perfect melange of flavors. Kudos Chef Leo!!

Desserts included the S’mores Pie with graham crackers, flourless chocolate cake and toasted marshmallows, Croissant Bread Pudding with warm apple compote, Salted Caramel Cheesecake – vanilla cheesecake with salted caramel drizzle, and freshly baked Berry Cobbler. Sweet finale to our gluttonous feast – the desserts impressed me with their sublime flavors and light texture. The thing which resonates the most for me was the made-from-scratch desserts brimming with fresh flavor – a labor of love indeed!

The self-proclaimed #Spicychat couldn’t resist taking a “Hot Sauce Selfie” with the house-made hot sauces.

At first glance one could easily mistake American Q for the run of the mill salted/cheap cuts of meat offered at Brazilian Steakhouses. You couldn’t be far from the truth friends. Let me assure you – American Q offers Florida Fresh Meats’ grass-fed, hormone free beef and pork as well as free-range chicken. Even the simple syrups for their signature cocktail bar are made in house. Chef Leo and American Q has brilliantly executed a unique menu that showcases the best of Barbeque across the nation.

Special shout out to Mr. Obard, Mr. Hussein, and Mr Marques for exceptional attentiveness to detail! Your passion and pride for American Q made the entire evening extraordinary.

About Author

Rashmi Primlani, DipWSET

Wine Writer. Wine Educator. Wine Ambassador. Yes! We breathe and dream Wine. #indianwinegoddess

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