The Road to Romance and Ribs

Just like driving on an open highway
Never knowing what we're gonna find
Just like two kids, baby, always trying to live it up - Lady Antebellum

Ah, Romance.
You would think that living with a Marriage and Family Therapist would be a dream romance for my wife.
But it’s not. Not always.
But sometimes you hit the mother lode.
My wife and I were overnight in San Jose, California and decided to take a scenic route home. So we drove over to Santa Cruz and hopped on the fabled California State Highway 1. It was a Sunday morning and we had no particular time to be anywhere as we headed north to the Golden Gate.
Santa Cruz to San Francisco. The romance opportunities were practically handed to me.
Add to that sunshine and seashore and I was set.
Yes, sometimes you hit the mother lode.
You never know what you might find while driving on the open highway; stunning scenery, interesting people or fine dining.
We were like two kids and this is what we found.

Let’s talk about the Road.
Correct me if I’m wrong. Can there be a more romantic road in the country than California’s Highway 1.
Maybe that’s why it’s called number 1.
Highway 1’s route curves along hugging the California coast. You can inhale the scent of the ocean breezes and see the horizon where the sea and sky meet to kiss. If you pull over you can hear the surf crash. You should know that the coast likes being dramatic. She will thrill you with her sheer cliffs and tease you by hiding in shrouds of fog. Now we love visiting the coast anytime and every time but in California, October is month to be there because that’s when the weather is best. 

The Romance Factor:
Remember, take your time; drive slowly. Stop and treat yourself to a coffee and pastry. If you are with a companion, welcome the potty breaks and vista stops as photo opportunities to etch great memories onto your brain’s hippocampus.
Remember, you are on one of the great highways in the world. So, put your top down, or open your sun roof or at the very least, roll down your windows and enjoy the ride.

Let’s Talk About the Ribs
You want to bring up subjects that get people going? We all know about politics and religion. But I think we could add “ribs” to that list. People take their ribs seriously. St. Louis cut or baby back? Dry rub or wet?
Thankfully, we like it all and the ribs we found at Gorilla’s did not disappoint us. My resourceful wife discovered Gorillas while we were driving. She used her iPhone (thank you Steve Jobs) looking online at a couple of sites and suggested Gorillas Barbeque in the city of Pacifica.

Gorilla’s is a railroad car turned BBQ shack. This diner was established in 2006 by “Gorilla” Rich Bacchi and Jeff Greathouse. Rich was nicknamed Gorilla by his dad as a kid because of his Gorilla size stature and Gorilla size cheerful personality.
There is no inside dining at Gorilla’s. You can use the picnic benches provided outside to eat but we opted to simply sit in our car. Be advised, expect a line, especially around the meal times. We didn’t mind waiting. We saw our visit as a dining experience and chatted with people. That and the aromas simply built our anticipation.

We shared the “2 Meat Combo Plate”. Standard with each plate as sides is the rice and beans, cornbread and sauce which is vinegary and spicy. For our plate we chose ribs, beef brisket, Mac N Cheese and grilled zucchini. Okay, so guilt drove me to order something green.

Mac N Cheese: This signature dish is made with butter, cream and 4 cheeses; Fontina, Asiago, Parmesan and Cheddar. The Mac N Cheese is topped with a layer of crumbled Cheddar-flavor Goldfish crackers whose texture makes the dish excellent.

Cornbread: Take a bite out of these golden brown muffins and watch the steam rise. Inside these moist gems, you’ll discover kernels of corn and a subtle sweetness.
Ribs and Brisket: This is what you come for. They are dry rub. Our ribs were nicely charred. The portions were generous, the meat tender and the flavor delicious. The brisket was my favorite. The bark was crisp and the meat inside tender and flavorful. By the way, when I say that their sauce is spicy I mean that it is like having a platoon of Habanera peppers march over your taste buds.

The Romance Factor:
Share a plate with your partner. Now say that word out loud with me.
Share.
Can you feel all the attachment and emotion residing in that word? Sharing a plate will elevate these excellent smoked ribs to a level of soulful bonding. Seriously, if you are still hungry after eating you can just make yourself a peanut butter sandwich. Not available at Gorillas, though.

Gorillas Barbeque
2145 Coast Highway 1,
Pacifica, CA 94044
650-359-RIBS (7427)
http://www.gorillabbq.com/

So, you ready for an adventure?
Next chance you get, hop in your car and make your way out to California’s coast. Be young, live it up.
Driving on an open highway, you never know what great things you’re going to see. Or what great places you will find to dine.

Life is a Coastal Highway; drive it slow and with the top down- Pelagia