St Louis may have a secret

***Update as Ed is confused - this was Wednesday night dinner***
So, while St Louis may claim title to being the barbecue capital of the country/world, turns out they may not be referring to smoked meats served in restaurants, but rather that nearly everyone grills at home. Except they don't grill, they barbecue. Which is great for them, but is doing me no particular favor.

That's not to say there aren't ribs and pulled pork to found - there are, see above. But there are not a plethora. Everyone we talk to (and it's easy to talk, friendliest people I've met) always gives the same listing when asked for best barbecue places: Pappy's, Smoking Joe's and no where else. A couple of places used to be good, but have had recent changes in ownership (there is no agreement of where Fat Tony has gone, except that he 'had to' leave and the food there is no longer as good).

So, to the Iron Barley we went. And wonderful food was again had (I was there in February). We ate outside in the back garden, with some live music being played. Sat at the bar, and ended up talking for an hour with Tom, the owner. Good guy, good place.

Pick a video to watch ( if link doesn't work, just google Iron Barley), they give a good idea of the place. It's serious food, but with a small bar/restaurant feel.
http://www.google.com/m/search?&q=iron%20barley

(for the record, James had seared piece of Prime rib smothered with peppers and onions with a piece of blaster pie for dessert - homemade ice-cream cheesecake thing with Tabasco whipcream and habenaro sauce. I merely had a deconstructed duck apple feta cheese salad and schnitzel with speatzle (pictured))