Bobby Q’s Pit Stop in Old Greenwich: BBQ & Comfort Food

ellen bowen

We all know Westport’s funky back alley BBQ stop, Bobby Q’s, as a casual place for authentic Kansas City BBQ ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and burnt ends. But did you know that a little over 2 years ago, owner Bob LeRose along with his cousin and Pitmaster/Chef, Joey Boucher, felt the burning desire to open a “grab and go” outpost in Old Greenwich on Putnam Ave (aka Route 1/Boston Post Road) called Bobby Q’s Pit Stop

It was 14 degrees when I pulled into the narrow storefront parking lot, and the unmistakable smell of BBQ hit me the minute I walked through the door. The open kitchen, high top tables and counter felt welcoming and comfortable. Sort of like a diner in the south. 

But Pit Stop is really not about BBQ, although one whole page on the menu features Bobby Q’s signature BBQ rib and meat combos, baby back ribs, and BBQ Plates and BBQ sandwiches. 

Pit Stop is about those “other” casual lunch or dinner items; Burgers, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches, Wraps and Melts...just to get your mouth watering.  The tri-fold menu is chock full of comfort food items and each is prepared to order for eat in or for take out. 

So on this 14-degree day, the place was packed, including one regular who orders the Pit Stop Philly Cheese Steak at least once a week. The eager customers' orders ranged from Uncle Frank’s Chili (a family recipe only known to Bob and his cousin, Joey) to a piled high BLT with plenty of crisp bacon, Iceberg lettuce and tomato. Also ordered were the Porker Melt, grilled cheese topped with shredded brisket on thick grilled sourdough bread, as well as their tribute to Chicago, a 2nd City Hot Dog, Massachusetts’s Pearl hot dog stuffed into a toasted bun with celery salt, pickles, relish, cucumber, tomatoes and onions and topped with sport peppers for a little extra heat.

But it was the Specialty Burgers that I immediately focused on, as I saw 17 listed on the menu. 

Each and every one starts with 6 oz of ground beef, but it is the variety of toppings that make Pit Stop a Muststop. 

We ordered the Roadhouse, which featured slices of brisket, slaw, pepper jack cheese and BBQ sauce and came with a side of creamy cole slaw and pickles. Open wide because this burger is not for the timid and shy burger lover. 

The DaddyMac was just what you might expect, piled high with creamy Mac and Cheese, and chopped bacon topping the burger. Other options included the Bandito Crunch Burger, with Uncle Frank’s Chili, American Cheese and Fritos and the Brushfire, served with crisp bacon, onion rings, jalapeno and chipotle mayo.

Pit Stop also serves something it calls Bowls, a combination of chili, brisket or pork topped with mac and cheese, beans, jalapenos or just about anything you could imagine. Pit Stop is comfort food central. 

When I asked Bob about the “type” of BBQ Pit Stop represented, he shared that while Bobby Q’s started as authentic Kansas City style, the Pit Stop menu has evolved into offering dishes with a Southern influence like fried pickles, okra, and hush puppies to Texas style brisket and Carolina chopped pork. 

Beverage selection includes soft drinks and water, but leave some room for some pretty tasty Milkshakes and Floats. We were tempted to try the Mallomar Milkshake; Vanilla Ice Cream and Crumbled Mallomars.  A winter s’more if you ask me.  

Delivery is offered through Seamless if you don’t want to venture out while these temps are still in the teens. 

Skip the highway Service Areas and head for an easy Pit Stop off Exit 5 I-95.   

Bobby Q’s Pit Stop

1340 Putnam Ave

Old Greenwich, CT

203 990 0606 

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