— By Susan Bryant
New BBQ spot in North Lauderdale
The Burning Oak
8006W. McNabRoad, North Lauderdale, 954-933-1944, facebook.com/ Burningoakbbq
From the owners of the 3-year-old food truck, Legends BBQ, comes this fastcasual eatery in the formerHooks Fish& Chicken inNorth Lauderdale.
“After being away fromloved ones for years at a time, you gain a greater appreciation for a good home-cooked meal and quality family time, which is exactly what The BurningOak represents,” says coowner Julio Villarreal, a formerMarine.
His troupe sprays the meats with apple juice each hour while smoking over oak wood to lend sweetness. Beer and wine are available with Texas-style smoked beef brisket platter ($11), dry-rubbed St. Louis rib platter ($12), smoked jerk chicken platter ($9), stuffed baked potato platter with choice of meat ($10-$13) and fried green tomato with Cajun mayo ($5).
Among the sides, such as braised collard greens ($5), themac and cheese with corn-bread crumble ($5) stems from Villarreal’smother, Francis.
Save roomfor the peanut butter pie ($4).
Awoodpile marks the entrance of the red building, which has a drive-through. Lunch and dinner are served daily amid light yellowwalls, corrugated metal, metal chairs andwood tables. A “Butcher’s Selection” mural illustrates cuts of meats.