Howdy!
O.M.G. dinner was incredible! But more on that in a sec. 
This afternoon after some cleaning, laundry and general chore-doing, I munched on a couple of my favorite things…
Almond butter & carrots (you know I just licked the almond butter right off and ate the carrots by themselves, muwahaha.) I HEART AB!
And a Pecan Pie Larabar! I was hunting around my pantry for a Peanut Butter Cookie flavored one (which I was really craving) but after no luck, PP came to the rescue.
And it was good. 
Really good. Tasted just like Pecan Pie, natch!
I also got my drank on with a little Diet Squirt. I really dislike that word – squirt – but I love it drink form!
I bought it at the store today, so it wasn’t cold…
Ha – I knew that snow was good for something! All it needed was a good 20 minutes in the outdoor cooler, and it was frost-tacular.
Enjoyed with Ben who was enjoying some Yoo Hoo. I won’t traumatize you by telling you how many ingredients are in that one little can. Even Ben was a little shocked…
Then it was time for dinner! So, the early comments on my last post were dominated by votes for BBQ, while the later ones heartily suggested Mexican. You early birds got the worm – BBQ, it was!
We headed to Jethro’s which was voted as the #1 BBQ joint in town, in 2009. Sweet!
The inside is really cool with an open, exposed beam ceiling – like the inside of a barn. Unfortunately, it was already packed by the time we got there…
So we were ushered outside to sit in the covered patio.
It wasn’t all bad though, I was seated right under the heater – score! 99% of the time I am cold at restaurants so this was actually amazing to have!
We moved on from Yoo Hoo and Diet Squirt, to beer and Diet Pepsi!
Jethro’s serves their beers in 32oz mason jars – cool huh? I seriously never order soda out at restaurants, I just think it’s a waste of money, but I hadn’t had a drop of caffeine the whole day, and I was feeling it!
We surveyed the menu…
And both decided to partake in a BBQ Sandwich. All of Jethro’s meats are smoked daily, onsite, and it’s THE thing to get here! I picked the pulled pork while Ben chose the brisket. Both of our faves.
For my side I picked Sweet Potato Fries. Like ordering a pop while out at a restaurant, I never choose fries for my sides – just because I’d rather choose something a little more healthy. However, I will always make an exception for SPF. They cannot be passed over!
After ordering, we settled in to enjoy the music, which is just awesome. They play everything from The Beatles, to Greenday, to The Cranberries, to Johnny Cash! We also tested out the sauce-age. All the sandwiches come “naked” – if you will – and you add your own homemade sauce that they place at each table.
Zee line-up.
Our own little BBQ sauce/honey bear army!
After a very scientific taste test that involved drops of each sauce on each finger, I picked my favorite.
Jethro’s “original” BBQ sauce and their “hot” BBQ sauce. What can I say – I like to keep it simple.
We were still playing with the honey bears when our meal arrived (it was that fast!) LOOK AT THE FEAST! This sandwich was indescribable. Ok, I’ll try. Smokey, tender and oh-so-flavorful. And HUGE! I bet there was it least 1.5lbs of pulled pork on that bun!
And I clearly made the right choice with the sweet potato fries. Thin, crispy and you could really taste the fries. I hate when you can’t taste the sweet potato in the sweet potato fry, you know?
Ben’s meal was equally as spectacular. His brisket was even smokier than my pulled pork – with a perfect smoke ring around each slice.
And can we just talk about HIS side? White Cheddar Mac & Cheese?! Better than any we’ve ever had. No lie!
I demolished my meal.
Just kidding! This was “post-box”. Although I did eat my fair share – it was so delicious. Local folks – Jethro’s is BBQ at it’s finest. Stop in as soon as you can!
Ok, I’m off to seek the comfort of a nice, warm, blanket – saving money is cold. Oh, and I can’t wait to see how SNL makes fun of Tiger’s speech tonight. Blech. BLECH! That’s all I’ve got to say about T-Woods.
Have a GREAT night everyone! 
Ok, I gotta ask, what was the white one like? I’ve NEVER seen white BBQ sauce EVER!
I might have to DVR SNL tonight just to see what they do… i’m sure they’ll be BRUTAL!
Whoa! That mac n cheese does look gooooood.
oh my goodness. sweet potato fries are my total weakness! i love, love, LOVE them!!! it looks like you had an awesome meal! that white cheddar mac ‘n cheese looks amazing too! nothing like good old bbq!
That meal looks ridiculous good! I love the idea of an army of honey bears!
And I’m with you on the Diet Squirt, something about the label just makes me happy.
I love sweet potato fries. Reminds me so much of college meals out to a local diner.
And The ability to choose your own sauce would be enough to sell me. I don’t like too sweet sauces.
I heart Jethro’s, especially their sweet potato fries!! My husband says that they have the best wings in the DM area, so we try to get there pretty often. I think I might have to try the mac & cheese next time!
Have to agree with you on Tiger. Blech is exactly the right word.
Your meal looks insane–sweet potatoes are now on my shopping list for this week!
oh man those SPF look so good!!! i’ve just transformed my brothers into fans…they’ve always hated them!
Saturday Night Live is not on tonight due to the Olympics.
Wow I want that dinner right now!! It looks so good!! I love barbe cue every once in a while, it just “hits the spot”
Hahaha and I heart your inventive cooler! such a good idea!!
That dinner looks delicious – especially those fries! I am a sucker for sweet potato fries and have a hard time passing them up.
I can’t believe Tiger’s speech! I read a funny line over at Mama Pea’s site about him being a robot … it was too funny. My husband definitely thought it was the worst speech ever. This whole ordeal has definitely ruined Tiger’s reputation.
K
Oh girl that dinner looks so good – I can’t wait until my tonsil surgery recovery is over bc you definitely got me craving some good ol’ bbq! Until then, mush diet for this lady haha. Glad you had a nice dinner out
Way to use the snow as a quick chiller. That’s so smart/cute.
I’ve never had real BBQ before but dang, your meal looked incredible. I LOVE sweet potato fries – they are so damn addicting though. I literally have to give away 1/2 of it, move it off my plate or pack it to go before I start eating otherwise I’ll eat the 3 servings they pile on the plate. Haha.
I LOVE JETHRO’S! My favorite sauce is the Alabama White. I think it’s the vinegar taste. I cover EVERYTHING in it, and really, it’s the only reason I order fries at Jethro’s–just so I can dip something else in the sauce.
YAY for BBQ winning, that was my vote!
1) You can get cottage cheese as a side!? Wow, never seen that before!
2) Jealous you can get sweet potato fries as a side – that just doesn’t happen in England :’(
3) LOVE that they play Johnny Cash, I adore him!
4) Thank goodness you had the heater, cos that looks coolllddd :s
Glad you had fun
OH, and
5) Good to see someone else who pairs AB and x together, then just eats the butter on it’s own :p
Looks like a great dinner! I love it when restaurants play a great mix of music. It just makes the experience that much better!
I love the white BBQ sauce too. It’s really good on the chicken or pork. You should try it next time
Jethro’s is my fave BBQ place in DM!
I too travel a lot and one of the things I miss most about Des Moines is THIS place–it doesnt help that i live right down the street from it. Des Moines has the best restaurants then a lot of the places I’ve been to. The mac and cheese there? I will call up there and order just that to pick up as a side with our dinners… it is THAT good!