You can smell the smoker as soon as you enter the parking lot of Romi’s Brew and BBQ in Nice. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll get there just as someone’s taking ribs out for the evening’s dinner. The char, dense and smokey, fills the nostrils and overwhelms the senses, making it impossible to crave anything but a full rack of those mouthwatering ribs–and you haven’t even opened the door to the restaurant yet.
And what glories await inside? First, lots of beer. With over a dozen beers on tap, Romi’s the perfect place to enjoy a favorite or try something new. Feel free to sit at the bar or grab one of the tables spread around the restaurant. Either way, you’ll be able to watch the game on one of their large-screen televisions. And, if you get there between 3 and 6, you can take advantage of their happy hour, with drink and appetizer specials–it’s imperative to try the House Smoked Wings. They’re impressive; the smoke gives them a great texture, and, when Romi’s homemade barbecue sauce gets slathered over them, they’re irresistible. They’re dark like molasses, barely sweet with a hint of smoke, but that smoke keeps smoking – it lingers.
But we haven’t even gotten to the main menu yet. By now, it’s clear that they have great barbecue. Their ribs fall off the bone, have a rich, smokey flavor, and go perfectly with Romi’s spicy barbecue sauce. In fact, it’s a good idea to just dip everything in their barbecue sauce. Pair that with some creamy, sweet coleslaw and a bowl of tri-tip chili, and you’re in for a meal. The chili’s good enough to order by itself. With savory, rich deep flavors and smoke from the meat, it’s spicy with a hint of heat, and perfect with a beer.
But barbecue is just the beginning. Their burgers are incredible as well. If you’re looking for a huge, juicy burger, you’ll find it here. For example, try the Whole Family Burger. It’s got beef, a thick slice of ham, a fried egg, onion rings, tomatoes, pickles, lettuce and cheese. This burger requires multiple napkins and is definitely not what you would want to choose for a first date.
And, if you’re in the mood, you can’t ignore Romi’s Mexican food. Their tacos are incredible, perfectly seasoned and good as any taco truck in the county. Their tamales are moist and flavorful, and their enchiladas are tender, covered with rich sauce–your choice of red or green.
It’s worth the trip to the lovely small town of Nice to grab some barbecue, beer, and great food. And, don’t worry if you order too much; it all makes great leftovers.
Romi’s Brew and BBQ
3707 E Hwy 20 #5
Nice, CA 95464
(707) 274-9114
Hours: 8-8 Sunday through Wednesday, 8-8:30 Thursday through Saturday
