RAYNHAM — I knew I was in for something good when they brought the free cornbread to the table.
What I didn’t know was that I was going to be knocked on my rump by a sweet, spicy umami tsunami in the form of a three-meat barbecue platter from 2 Jerks BBQ in Raynham.
The brisket is some of the best I’ve ever had, coming in juicy slices that fall apart at the mere mention of a fork. The ribs have an addictive crust that made me want to order a portion straight out of “The Flintstones.”
But it was the pulled pork that really impressed me. Most places can make a solid, flavorful batch. But the humble tray I got at 2 Jerks was a step above the norm, carrying indulgent waves of meaty flavor amid a tender tangle of meat with crunchy caramelized bits strewn about.
That’s before we even get into the three dynamic sauces, the indulgent sides or the impressive beer list. Heck, by the time I’d tried the platter, my head was already spinning by the concept (and delicious execution) of something called Texas Twinkies.
Simply put: I had no idea that BBQ this good was hiding less than a mile off 495.
A look around 2 Jerks BBQ in Raynham, Mass.(Nick O’Malley/MassLive)Mass. Hidden Gems: 2 Jerks BBQ in Raynham
If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering, “What’s with the name?”
The “2 Jerks” in this instance are brothers Chris and John DePalma, who co-founded the restaurant back in 2015. It’s an endearing nickname the brothers got from their mother, Jill.
“Growing up, I’m sure that’s not how she felt,” Chris said with a laugh back in 2018. “She loves us dearly.”
The brothers, who grew up in Taunton, began smoking meats as a hobby in their backyards and turned it into a business.
Much of the 2 Jerks’ barbecue expertise stems from John’s time in Tennessee. He lived there for seven years while going to school and working at local restaurants.
That experience is what fuels the slow, simple approach to barbecue at 2 Jerks. The end results speak for themselves.
Texas Twinkies are a delicious specialty at 2 Jerks BBQ in Raynham, Mass.(Nick O’Malley/MassLive)What’s good on the menu?
I started out with the Texas Twinkies, mostly out of curiosity of what sounded like a silly appetizer: jalapeños stuffed with brisket cream cheese, wrapped in bacon and covered in a smoked BBQ glaze.
It turns out that the Texas Twinkies are not messing around — in terms of flavor or heat. The jalapeño popper-style appetizer is a bombastic combination of flavors and textures. You get the creamy filling, the bite of the jalapeño and the toothsome sweet-savory exterior.
At a good BBQ joint, you get the standard meat platter. That goes double whenever you see the phrase, “While it lasts.”
It’s pretty telling that 2 Jerks puts that disclaimer on the men, because the smoked meats are the stars and are in high demand.
For $39, you can get the three-meat platter with your pick of the five smoker all-stars: North Carolina-style pulled pork, Texas-style brisket, Memphis-style ribs, 1/4 rotisserie chicken or smoked sausage.
The BBQ platters also come with pickles, pickled onions and your choice of two sides.
You’ve got mainstays like potato salad, coleslaw and collard greens. There are also unconventional items such as house-made kimchi and New England-style baked beans.
For me, the go-to moves are the creamy, flavor-packed mac & cheese and the spicy, savory sausage & okra gumbo.
Smoked meats are the stars at 2 Jerks BBQ in Raynham, Mass., and are in high demand.(Nick O’Malley/MassLive)More info about 2 Jerks BBQ
The huge smoker on the deck outside the restaurant is the star of the show. But 2 Jerks offers plenty besides BBQ.
The menu is loaded with sandwich options: a North Shore-style roast beef, fried chicken and five types of Reubens.
They also have a solid lineup of burgers, tacos and two types of pizza — South Shore-style bar pizza and a thicker Detroit-style pizza.
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What’s the address? — 701 Broadway, Raynham, Massachusetts 02767
What’s the parking situation? — 2 Jerks BBQ has its own lot with plenty of parking.
When are they open? — Here are the listed business hours at the time of writing.
Monday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 11:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.Thursday: 11:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.Friday: 11:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.Saturday: 11:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.Sunday: 11:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.
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Mass. Hidden Gems is a series highlighting restaurants and other businesses across the Bay State that we think deserve more attention. You can check out the rest of the series here.
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Dining and Cooking