I am from Williamsburg, but have not lived there for the past 30 years. Pierces is the real deal. It’s not particularly cheap, and it’s now a pain in the ass to get to, and it’s still packed. Love the Cue and the burgers. Stop there every time I go to Moms.

Locals, and travellers flock to it. Somebody must like it. To each his own, right?

I loves Buzz and Ned’s in Richmond (great Q and Buzz is a character), Kings in Petersburg, Ralphs in NC, D&H in Manning SC, even tried Arthur Bryants in Kansas among numerous others. I liked them all, a lot. But I try to recognize nobody’s BBQ is one size fits all.

I’m not offended some people don’t like Pierces, but some of these guys make it clear they don’t like sauce, or pulled pork. Ok, its no secret Pierces is pulled pork with sauce. Why eat it if YOU dont like pulled pork with sauce.

Some of the Trellis, Red Hot and Blue fans have a right to their preferences, but I for one think those places are overpriced, pretentious, and touristy, in the first case and pedestrian in the second. But hey if thats what you like, rock on. I eat at those places, from time to time, at the request of others, but in general I don’t drive out of my way to get there.

I have always enjoyed the more authentic originals in my Roadfood excursions. Speaking of consistency, (not what it used to be,etc.) isn’t that a little overated. I mean nobody wants a bad experience even from an old favorite, but McDonalds turns out a pretty consistent product. I have put away my share of burgers there, but the best one I ever ate at the golden calf, oops , I mean arches couldn’t touch the worst meal I ever got at Pierces.

Moving on to other eats in "Billsburg", if you like a great sandwich there are two great delly type places in the Burg. The College Delly, by the William and Mary Campus has already been mentioned, and the NY Delly on Rte 60 near the Pottery have virtually the same basic menu and quality. They serve fresh made subs that I grew up on. The hot "Holly", at either location, is my holy grail of sandwiches. (I know, I know, my apologies to New Yorkers everywhere, we all know you can’t get a decent sandwich south of the boroughs, but indulge us our provincial quirks)

On Rte 143 just east of downtown is the Queen Anne Dairy Snak. Big dripping burgers, crinkle cut fries and footlong dogs, and more shake and soda flavors than you can shake a stick at. This is an original, been here forever, deep fried drive-up joint that Sonic and others have improved upon to the point of sterility. (Queen Anne has no curb service)Try it if you get a chance and you appreciate that kind of thing.

Sorry this is so long, I do like Pierces however.