Brick Pig’s House is “that home-cooked feeling.”
The first time I went to Brick Pig’s House, the owners Barry and Carolyn told me to call them Mom and Pop. “You have to call her Pop though, she makes all the decisions!” Barry told me with a loud laugh. Brick Pig’s House may be a humble barbeque joint, but the heart and soul with which their food is cooked cannot be matched.
I was having a hard time deciding what to order, but after seeing my indecision, Pop told me that he would help me out and bring a little bit of everything. Luckily, I was in a group and we were able to handle the two massive platters he soon brought out: baby back rips smothered in BBQ sauce, beef links, and brisket. The meat was accompanied by steaming corn bread muffins (served with honey), coleslaw, baked beans, and macaroni salad. Mom and Pop brought out plates, serving spoons, and lots of napkins – “because you’ll need them!” they told us with a wink. I don’t think I could have ever decided which was my favorite. The ribs were so tender, the meat fell right off the bone, and the brisket literally melted in my mouth. And how can you say no to beef links? If you’re going to order just one side, the coleslaw is out of this world – but then again, so are the baked beans. After attempting to wipe my plate clean, I couldn’t resist the freshly baked blackberry pie. Could you?
The culinary experience at Brick Pig’s House is unlike any I’ve ever had. After cleaning my fingers of BBQ sauce and finally taking a moment to breathe, I sat with Barry and Carolyn for well over an hour. They showed me pictures from when they were in a band, photos of their three boys, and even sang a little for me. Every time I have been back, I’ve been treated with the same genuine hospitality and care. On that first visit to Brick Pig’s House, Barry and Carolyn asked me if I had graduated from college. When I told them I had one more year left, Carolyn pointed to the wall, which was covered in receipts. She said every college graduate that came in their doors signed their name on their receipt and left his or her major and phone number so that a future employer might call them up. “You make sure you come back now, so you can sign one of those. You and all of those people up there, you’re all our future.”
Brick Pig’s House is located: 5973 Shattuck Avenue Oakland, CA 94609
