Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Happy Hour: Twice daily 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Price: $ (out of $$$$)
Location: 112 W. 6th St, Moscow ID.
Rating: A-

The December opening of Blues Brews and BBQ in downtown Moscow fills a culinary hole in the Palouse. The atmosphere is reminiscent of blues joints I’ve been to in western Louisiana—dark, yet inviting. Black corrugated siding lines the walls with guitars acting as decoration, and old drums converted into  lampshades illuminate the space.

The food here is delicious and cheap. For $5.95 you can get an earthy barbeque sandwich (ham, pork, beef, chicken) with two sides; for $9.95 a half rack of ribs, or a full rack for $15.95 and a daily blackboard special for $6.95. With all the meat slow roasted locally it’s worth it. Their sides aren’t huge, but they are exquisite, and round out the barbeque nicely.

The appetizers are nothing to sneeze at either; with heaping portions of bbq nachos, pork wings and sliders for $6.95, you are sure to not go home hungry. And if you want to slather your food in more barbeque sauce, they have both a spicy and a sweet option, and an amazing dry rub.

When I asked them about their vegetarian-friendly options, the assistant manager scoffed and said “this is a barbeque joint.” I understand, but in the same point vegetarians enjoy tasty food as well and there are many successful barbeque joints that do vegetarian entrées. With that said, vegetarians will not starve as long as they want vegetable packed nachos with watermelon salsa. If this restaurant wants an A+ they need to add a barbeque mushroom sandwich, or barbeque tempeh.

The happy hour at Blues Brews and BBQ is one of the most inventive pieces of mastery around. The owner used to own a bar in Denver and invented a system of “tokens.” When you come for happy hour and buy a drink you get a token that says: “buy one get one free” that you can trade in for your next drink.

However, this token is valid anytime during business hours — you can use them until closing time, you can use them while you’re there for happy hour, or you can hoard them. Take note, college students — Mike says you can use these tokens for barter. He once had a patron come in with a stack of these tokens. When asked how the patron had so many he replied, “I got this one cleaning my housemate’s room, this one washing my friend’s car … ”

Unfortunately, they have not yet received their liquor license from the state of Idaho — it is due by February 1. When they do get it you will get to sample their 18 tap-beers (plus many more in the bottle), house wine, or try their inventive Japanese sake-based cocktails. The sake-sunrise sounds especially appealing. I’d recommend calling before you head out to make sure the state of Idaho has delivered the license. Once they get their license their rating goes from A- to A.

I also tried their two desserts: peach cobbler and black and tan pie. As a fan of both sweet potato pie and pecan pie, it’s amazing to have them both combined in one flaky pastry shell.

Blues Brews and BBQ also delivers in the Moscow area, and not just food. They deliver beer too. Before, I only envied the U of I students for their hill-free campus. Now I envy them for being able to have this amazing food and beer delivered.

Blues Brews and BBQ fills a hole in the Moscow/Pullman culinary scene. The food is cheap and excellent, they have a great selection of beers and inventive cocktails (when we can finally buy them), and the atmosphere is great. Also, once they get their liquor license they will have semi-regular live blues music. The next time you want a fun and inexpensive night out, try this place.