Casual, friendly B3 delivers on its signature dishes
Arcade full of games adds to attraction
As might be obvious from the name, this eatery focuses on meat: pork, brisket, burgers, sausage, chicken — and even some nostalgia-ridden fried bologna — served in smoked, barbecued and fried forms.
And it’s all presented in a casual setting that almost makes you feel as if you’re attending a cook-out at some buddy’s house. There’s even a patio out back for those seeking that outdoor experience.
Country & western background music and framed oldtime “wanted” posters, along with the plank floors, contribute a sense of the West.
An enthusiastic greeting and chat from owner Brian McGill, along with his hobnobbing among others who passed through the doors, helped make it feel as if we were among friends. One caveat, though: We were there after 2 p.m. on a weekday, when business was light and demands for waitstaff attention were few.
After ordering at the counter and dispensing our own drinks, my guest and I settled into a comfortable booth in black vinyl. Other options were wooden picnic tables arranged down the center of the room or a couple of diner-style tables toward the back.
Our orders arrived quickly. My guest chose the B3 Burger ($9.95), a two-handed, buttered and grilled bun stacked with the beef burger, some smoked brisket and bacon, along with cheese and additions on the side, such as sliced pickles. The meat was moist and tender, with a pleasing combination of flavors.
The order comes with one side dish; she opted for beer-battered fries, which held a barely crisp edge and a satisfying taste. A wedge of sweet cornbread accompanied the meal.
I ordered the pulled pork plate ($9.95), and chose green beans and purple slaw from the list of sides (two were included with this meal). The mound of meat was smoky and tender, and the cole slaw maintained a fresh crunch flavored with a mild vinegar that enhanced the natural cabbage taste. (Too many cole slaw versions, in my opinion, are far too limp and soggy. That was not at all the case here.)
The green beans, though, while edible, tasted as if they either came from a can or were boiled within an inch of their lives. That’s fairly typical in restaurants of this type, but disappointing to this veggie fan.
Plenty of other choices were available on the side, including baked beans, macaroni and cheese, potato salad and corn on the cob. My guest also tried B3’s green chile cornbread (50 cents); she specializes in that dish herself for potlucks and she pronounced this iteration “pretty good.”
Meal choices are limited, though, for someone not enamored of meat. A large mixed green salad was about the only non-meat dish; the restaurant blackboard also indicated that fried fish was available.
And while we passed on appetizers, fried spicy pickles, onion rings and BBQ Frito pie were among the offerings.
Several sauces meant to be added to the meats also were available at the table. My guest particularly liked the “green chilli BBQ,” despite the misspelled label.
We also were happy with the drinks ($2 each), with both her unsweetened tea and my lemonade fresh and flavorful.
For dessert, we chose to split a brownie ($1.95). Since I crave rich brownies bordering on fudge, I was disappointed by its cakey texture, but my guest was pleased with it. Homemade pie and funnel cake fries (!) were other options to close out the meal.
While B3’s narrow storefront could blend into the other businesses along Bridge Street, it stands out with its New Mexico Highlands purple paint. It is located between the university and the Plaza, so should be convenient both for visitors and NMHU students and staff.
Another attraction: Between the patio and main room of the restaurant is an arcade packed with games.
McGill and his wife Darcy, who both formerly ran the alpaca-focused Victory Ranch near Mora, started this restaurant about a year ago. It’s worth a stop for fans of this brand of cuisine.