Why I'm Crazy Over Restaurant's Rib Recipe

I am a huge fan of ribs. My dad makes some tasty ones and my neighbor has a recipe that is even better. When I heard that a new BBQ place called was opening up on Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell, I knew I had to test out their recipe.

I wasn’t disappointed, they were the best I ever had. I first tried Hog Wild during the Caldwell Street Fair and then my family went back to order take-out again soon after.

While I was there, I asked one of the owners, Drew Daniolowicz, some questions. He told me they opened up the restaurant in October, but he and his brother, Dave, have been in the BBQ business for a few years.

Business for them has been “crazy-good” so far. His brother Dave came up with the name, Hog Wild. I think it’s a pretty cool name for a BBQ place. Dave’s favorite thing on the menu is the pulled pork, but he thinks everything tastes delicious.

I asked him, “What do you want my friends and neighbors in Caldwell to know about Hog Wild?” His answer was, "I want people to know that it’s family-friendly and the food is delicious."

Now for this rib-lover’s review: We had a hard time deciding what to order, so we tried the combo platter from the take out menu. You get to choose three different BBQ meats. We tried the BBQ chicken, the pulled pork and the ribs. It was the first time I tried pulled pork and it was phenomenal! The French fries were as salty as pretzels and they tasted even better than the ones at Westville Pool, my other favorite.

The ribs were awesome – the best thing I had that night. The sauce was the best BBQ sauce I ever had in my life! Every bite I took was like rib heaven! I ate them all and I even stole a rib from my brother, Quinton – he wasn’t happy about that.

The only thing that wasn’t a huge hit was the mac and cheese. My sister, Lily, is loyal to the Cloverleaf’s mac and cheese. She said maybe she’d try it again because maybe it would grow on her.

I know I want to go back to eat again at Hog Wild. Maybe we’ll eat at the restaurant next time instead of getting take-out. The restaurant is decorated with hogs wearing red aprons – there's even one on the soda machine. The owner Drew was very friendly – he grew up in Caldwell, too.

I give Hog Wild 100 stars ... I mean hogs!

–Isabel Caravela

The writer is a third grader at Jefferson School who likes to write, sing, act and do all sports.