Say you’re making a day of it at the outlets and all of a sudden you’re overcome by hunger. Where’s the food court? Don’t these mall people know that you have to eat to keep up your shopping stamina? I’ve been known to duck into Lindt for a handful of truffles, but a sugar rush doesn’t mix well with retail therapy. Well, now you can pop right down the street to Chow. This new eatery helmed by the folks behind The Meat Shop, features a rash of fresh salads, pizza, and what they’re most famous for, barbecue. We feasted on the Beet Down, a mammoth plate of greens, beets, goat cheese and candied walnuts (finally one place that doesn’t overdress) tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette. I for one, cannot resist pulled pork and didn’t this time, a spicy pile served up with the house barbecue on a toasted baguette with crispy fries. They say that the brisket in a Pineapple Chipotle Bbq Sauce is the bomb, so we’ll be having that next visit. For dinner, choose from a variety of pastas, pizzas and meat-centric large plates. Some folks judge a restaurant by its bread, but I’m all about the sides and these are spot on: creamy polenta, roasted beets, smashed truffled potatoes or brussels sprouts with pancetta. They’re not reinventing the wheel here, but dishing up what people like to eat in an area that sorely needs it.

www.chowfoodandbeverage.com

36 Killingworth Turnpike, Rte 81, just down the road from the outlets.