I’m still anxiously awaiting the opening of Virgil Sadorra’s three, count ‘em, three new restaurants in the downtown/East End area. He reports that Cilantros’, the oddly apostrophed Tex-Mex joint that will fill the former Delish space, will be open as soon as the new hood system is in place, hopefully by mid-September. Fish tacos, here I come! I’m not sure if the delays at Cilantros’ will affect the opening of Delish Express, which was slated to be open by October. Virgil has also posted some photos of the construction progress in the old Rose City Press building, where the revamped Delish (which is last on his “To Do” list) will be located. [Is anyone else having as much trouble as I am keeping track of Virgil’s various ventures? I blame the lack of chicken satay. Thanks to Sarah for setting me straight in the comments.]

While visions of satay dance in my head, there is yet more East End restaurant news to report. Today I learned that Blues BBQ will be opening another restaurant sometime this fall in Chef Dan’s old digs across from the Clay Center. Thank heaven, because I sure am sick of looking at the hideous facade that the predictably defunct Top Cats left behind. I never did set foot in that place — the mirrored exterior and rumors of Mardi Gras beads inside frightened me. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the folks at Blues BBQ will just do away with that ridiculous glittery mural altogether, instead of morphing into yet another version — an all animal blues band, perhaps, a la the Puppet Band from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse? (I really shouldn’t give them any ideas. Besides, Dirty Dog, Cool Cat, and Chicky Baby were a jazz trio.)

Apparently they’re going to try to maintain two locations — the new East End one and their original Jefferson Road location — but they say they’re just going to see how it goes. Blues BBQ is a great place to fill your belly on the cheap. I also think of it as being very “West Virginia.” If Alton Brown had driven through the Mountain State on his recent cross-country motorcycle tour, he surely would have wanted to stop at Blues BBQ. In his Food Network show “Feasting on Asphalt,” Alton stopped only at non-chain roadside restaurants, which are the kinds of places that give you a real sense of the flavor of a particular part of the country, literally and figuratively speaking.

The last time I visited Blues BBQ, I ordered one hot dog and three sides. I don’t eat hot dogs that often, and when I do, my favorite way to eat them is with a ton of yellow mustard and finely chopped onions. But with a mindset of “When in Rome,” I opted for a hot dog with everything — ketchup, mustard, onions, chili, and coleslaw. After all, I had to taste their house-made chili and slaw, both of which were delicious. Though it’s not something I could eat all that often, whenever I’m in the mood for a hot dog again, I might go back for this yummy, sloppy dog. However, I think I prefer the pulled pork BBQ sandwiches they serve up at Blues BBQ, which are equally sloppy.

For my three sides, I chose potato salad, baked beans, and onion rings. All three were really good, but I liked the baked beans the best — sweet and a little bit spicy and very homey-tasting, as baked beans tend to be. Josh decided to focus just on the dogs — he ordered three with everything — but of course he couldn’t keep his hands off my onion rings. Since the rings took up more than half of my basket, I was happy to share. He opted for the spicy chili, while I had the sweet chili. I like the sweet chili better, but your mileage may vary.

If you’re looking for more detailed reviews of local hot dogs, you definitely want to check out West Virginia Hot Dogs, a web site devoted to what could arguably be called West Virginia’s state food. (I suppose I can now expect angry comments defending pepperoni rolls as the state food, huh? Bring ‘em on.) I am amazed at the sheer number of places where you can get a hot dog around here. Who knew?

One important tip if you’re heading to Blues BBQ — don’t wear your Sunday best. Not that you’d get all dressed up to go eat barbeque and knock back a couple of beers, but be forewarned that if you happen to be there when they fire up the smokehouse, the whole place fills up with rather thick, pungent smoke. I find it kind of amusing to be sitting there eating and then suddenly find yourself encased in smoke, but you will definitely smell like a smokehouse for the rest of the day.

IF YOU GO: Blues BBQ, 1109 Jefferson Rd, Charleston, (304) 744-8335
HOURS: Mon-Thurs 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Fri & Sat 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun noon-6 p.m.

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