ricewood Ann Arbor Food Truck

I just got back from a lovely al fresco lunch at ricewood. The Pacific-Island-inspired BBQ food truck (really, maybe the only one anywhere) was recently launched by Frank Fejeran  – the former chef at The Ravens Club, about which you can read here: http://detroit.eater.com/2014/11/18/7243493/chef-frank-fejeran-helps-the-ravens-club-realize-its-potential and which I am a fan of, for both the whiskey cocktails and the homage to my beloved Baltimore Ravens.

Oh, what’s that? The Ravens Club was not an homage to the Baltimore Ravens NFL team? Uhhhhh….well the cocktails are still delicious and I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear that part about the name. [Aside: Jeff from TRC, if you are reading this, if you put a TV in the bar that plays Ravens football in the fall, I will be there on the regular.]

Okay, back to the point. Ricewood. So good. So much food.

For $12, you can get your choice of a BBQ pork shoulder rice bowl, ribs, or a brisket rice bowl. All are served with a side of marinated cucumbers. You can get it gringo style or spicy. (http://www.ricewoodbbq.com/uploads/4/8/1/3/48139611/ricewood_-_final_menu.pdf) Obviously, I got spicy.

The bbq pork was indeed pleasantly spicy. Beware if you are expecting what we’ll call “MidWest spicy,” which is to say, not at all spicy. This may be too hot for you. Fortunately for you, on the cutlery table, there is also a bottle of AH-mazing pineapple bbq sauce which is sweet-ish and really pineapple-y. Like a pureed pineapple chutney with a hint of smoky bbq flavor.

The meat was also really tender, with awesome salty burnt end bits, and the rice was perfectly sticky – like sushi rice – with an Asian-flair pico of diced tomatoes and green onion.

Also it was a TON of food. I pretty much ate the whole thing but only because it was so good and not because I was still hungry. Apparently I glazed over the part on the menu where it said “half pound” of meat.

And, because I’m a VIP (jk Frank just recognized me), he gave me a small chunk of brisket too, which had a great flavor and was not dry at all.

After receiving my large bowl of treats, I sat at one of the covered picnic tables. Each table had a cup of Sharpies that people used to sign their names or decorate the table. I think I spotted a child’s rendering of the Voldemort-Harry Potter wand duel. It was very elaborate – or at least as much as a stick-figure scribble can be elaborate. (See top left of picture below to catch a glimpse of the Voldemort figure in black. Harry was in green fyi.)

All in all, a super filling and delicious meal and a perfect day to be outside enjoying it.