I finally was able to eat at the Black Dog, and I am still trying to understand the hype. Possibly people in Urbana don't experience good BBQ, but I grew up eating delicious food and this was just ok.
The seating options were limited and the wait was long. The waitress was busy but not as attentive as I hoped. It took a while to get something to drink, but I understood that it was packed and she was busy, so I'll give her a break.
I ordered the combo: ribs and catfish with the Carolina house sauce on the side. The plate arrives with small portions and a side of the worst sauce I have ever tasted. The way the food is cooked must be particular to a certain region because it is not like the Memphis, Kentucky and Texas style I grew up eating. It was full of vinegar, spicy and nasty.
The meat was tender, which it should be because it was smoked for 4 1/2 hours, and I wouldn't have expected anything less. After eating here, I wasn't impressed. So many people have talked about how great the food was, and I should have known better. The food was okay, and I must say I've had better barbecue in my own backyard.