HARDWICK – Chef Bryan Palilonis opened his Hardwick BBQ for the first time on Wednesday, May 20, next door to the Caja Taqueria at 154 Vt. Rte. 15 in Hardwick, and quickly sold out. The barbecue joint was closed Thursday, with the Caja Madera Facebook site reporting, “We SOLD OUT & Need to Smoke More!”
The shop, in a food truck outside Caja Taqueria, was open again on Friday, May 22 from 4 to 8 p.m.
The barbecue is now open Wednesday to Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m., while supplies last. They are offering a menu with St. Louis ribs, brisket, pulled pork and smoked chicken and sides of mac and cheese, hush puppies, jerk smoked Brussel sprouts, baked beans and coleslaw.
An inside space replaces the former Fin’s Axe-throwing venue, offering beer and wine.
Entering its 11th year, Caja Madera continues its catering business, Margarita Mondays at Highland Lodge in Greensboro through the summer and Caja Taqueria, open Tuesday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
