I have been trying to review Jimmy Diemer’s “new” barbecue for months now. I wanted to see what Jimmy could come up with by condensing all his vast energy into dinner for your family. Well, what an amazing job he has done!

Entering the store, there is a plethora of food items, including honey, jams, relishes, sauces and the like, mostly from Spring Valley Farms in Holland. Then comes the signage. Times Square couldn’t compete with the signs per square inch that Jimmy has created – all letting you know how much he has to offer, that everything is homemade (down to the banana pudding), the food is habit forming and it will be the best you’ve ever tasted, hands down.

Jimmy Diemer himself greeted me with country charm to rival any country cooking show host. Jimmy could easily offer an entertaining segment on Paula Deen’s cooking show that would surely put Bowling Green on the map for outstanding barbecue!

I was allowed taste tests to decide what I wanted and began my research to bring you, first hand, what you can expect when you visit Jimmy D’s Real Pitt Bar-B-Que.

All the usual barbecue main courses are available, like pulled pork, pork shoulder and pork ribs, but you can also get pulled chicken, a barbecue chicken salad, meat loaf or juicy beef brisket sliced on a bun.

The pulled pork was excellent – tender, moist and flavorful (even without the sauce), yet the cut of pork was so lean I never came upon a bit of fat or grease. And if you prefer something even more lean, the pulled chicken sandwich is all white meat that is just as tasty and moist.

The pork ribs, too, were delicate and a savory – again, with or without the sauce. Appetizing pink perfection on the inside dusted with a light seasoning on the outside.

The mild barbecue sauce that was served with each of these dishes was a fine balance of flavors. It was as if, like a fine wine, I could taste each ingredient separately that made up the whole of the sauce. Vinegar, sugar, tomato, a hint of chili powder and more all came together in the perfect storm of flavor. I would pay for extra if, like me, you like to douse your food in sauce.

Of course, sides and desserts are just as important as the main dishes when you’re stopping to get dinner for your family or catering a party. The beans were like the barbecue sauce in that you could taste all the flavors, but for me it was the hint of brown sugar that enjoyably lingered.

In my experience that day, Jimmy’s puts his own unique twist in each side dish. The cole slaw is chopped fine with the cabbage and carrots swimming in a liquid of sweetness. The mashed potatoes feature thick chunks of potato and just a hint of potato peelings. The buttered cabbage was inviting – not overcooked, nor over buttered and the taste of the cabbage shined through. Both the green beans and turnip greens included ham for added flavor. I don’t think you can go wrong with any side dish at Jimmy’s, but there are 10 in all so I wasn’t able to try them all.

Possibly, this is because I had to leave room for the best banana pudding I would ever have – according to all the signs. For my taste, the prophecy came true. The pudding included more bananas, and therefore more banana flavor, than I have ever tasted. The bananas were the main ingredient and the headliner, the pudding and vanilla wafers played supporting roles and in this order I found the pudding delicious.

Overall, Jimmy’s country cooking is now channeled into the huge variety of gourmet country food and barbecue he has to offer to all you lucky patrons who drive by his store on the south side of town every day.

— Our anonymous food reviewer gives new restaurants a six-week grace period before reviewing. To comment, contact Managing Editor Mike Alexieff at 783-3235 or via e-mail to malexieff@bgdailynews.com.

JIMMY D’S REAL PITT BAR-B-QUE

5449 B. Scottsville Road

781-2234

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday

Cuisine: Barbecue

Price range: $4.99 to $6.99 (dinner plates)

Specialties: Everything country

Libation situation: None

Smoking: No