Bobby Q’s Cue & Co. Opens at Norwalk's Waypointe

In 2004, Bob LeRose, a CT native whose wife, Kelley has Kansas City roots, decided that Connecticut was ready for the smoky, saucy, ribs, pulled pork and burnt ends he was missing from his father-in-law’s hometown, and opened Bobby Q’s Bodacious BBQ just off Main Street in Westport.  Bobby Q’s quickly became known as a local watering hole for families, couples and friends, all seeking award-winning BBQ, creative house drinks and the best live music in Fairfield County.

But, sadly in March of 2016, Bobby Q’s closed but Bob LeRose teased us with news of a planned new spot to enjoy his BBQ recipes and creative cocktails. And SOMETHING new.

The wait is over, as last month, Bobby Q’s Cue & Co. opened on Merwin Street in the spanking new "The Block at Waypointe" complex of restaurants, retail and luxury rental apartments and a block over from the new Barcelona and Colony Pizza. 

The interior, with handmade pine tables, a long bar and colorful posters and art work, including graphics by frequent Blues, Views and BBQ Fest headliner and top musician Anders Osborne, the space is welcoming and reads comfort and fun. 

With ample street front or garage parking, Bobby Q’s is back with all of the favorites like St. Louis Ribs, Baby Back Ribs, Beef Burnt Ends, Brisket and Pulled Pork plus a number of new items with a nod to other BBQ regions including Shrimp & Grits, Mac & Cheese with smoked gouda and andouille sausage and Fried Smoked Chicken with honey and pickles. 

The menu at first looks overwhelming, but Bob has broken it down into “SOMETHINGS” that include items that can be shared, smoked meat and chicken dishes, burgers, sandwiches, salads, all that can be ordered a la carte or plated with a variety of sides that include collard greens, bacon cheddar grits, mac & cheese, Yankee corn bread or fries. 

There is even a vegan shredded jackfruit BBQ sandwich served piled high on a bun with BBQ sauce, and cole slaw.

We began with 3 selections from SOMETHING Shared.  The Wood-Kissed wings were meaty and flavorful and offered in a variety of preparations: Naked Smoked, Nashville Hot, Korean BBQ, Honey BBQ, Cousin Nick’s Buffalo, and Chipotle.   We opted for 6 each of Buffalo and Korean BBQ and with blue cheese dipping and celery sticks, and found ourselves licking our fingers with satisfaction. 

The Cheesesteak Twister was like a Philly Cheesesteak wrapped and fried like an eggroll and drizzled with a chipotle aioli.  This is one of the new menu items Bob has added and it was very good. 

An empanada-like Spicy Brisket Hand Pie was full of brisket and topped with plenty of fresh guacamole. 

We also added a medium sized order to share of one of Bobby’s Q’s classics, Beef Burnt Ends which came sweet, smoky and succulent.

And of course, the main event was a full slab of the St. Louis Ribs, which were just as good and tender as we remembered, although we did find it a bit challenging to slice each rib off the bone. I am sure you can request the kitchen pre-slice before serving.   Served a la carte with pickle chips and pickled onions, both made in-house. Two squeeze bottles of Bobby Q’s award-winning signature BBQ sauces are on every table, Original and Bold to enhance the smoky flavor. 

Another new addition to the menu, included the ½ Smoked Chicken, and this is a welcome addition.  Juicy with a crispy skin it needed no additional sauce and was cooked perfectly. 

New also to Bobby Q’s Cue & Co. is chef Ole Knudsen, and has helmed kitchens locally at Citrus in Milford, Tap & Vine in Wallingford and managed kitchens at The Ritz-Carlton on Central Park, NYC.   

The cocktail list is creative of which we sampled Bourbon based, BrambleOn, with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Maple, Lemon, Blackberries, lime and Rosemary, and the Seed Splitter, with tequila, watermelon, lime and mint. An extensive wine and 12 beer rotating beer menu is also available including numerous beers on tap.  Desserts are fun, assuming you have room after your meat feast, and include Peanut Cup S’mores, warm Apple Cider Donuts with vanilla anglaise, and our favorite, the Strawberry Linzer Tart in a jar. 

Welcome back Bob LeRose and Bobby Q’s!  We have missed you!

Bobby Q’s Cue & Co. 

11 Merwin St. 

Norwalk, CT  

203 831 0354