The Sloppy Choppy at Off the Grid

A delicately assembled entrée is a delight. A hint of herbs and a touch of sauce fuse flavors that can dance lightly on the tongue.

However, the Sloppy Choppy sandwich at Off The Grid in Sandwich doesn’t do “delicate.” It doesn’t do anything “lightly” and it doesn’t traffic in terms like “subtle” or “hint.” Sometimes, you just need what The Sloppy Choppy has to offer. A fingerlicking, napkin-annihilating barbeque sandwich that has it all – side dishes included – stuffed into a brioche bun.

The Sloppy Choppy, and Off The Grid itself, got its start in St. Thomas, USVI. Joel Finley, along with chef partner Joe Hardwick, brought the Off The Grid idea to Cape Cod and are now into their third season. After two summers just down the street, the colorful food truck has found a far more permanent home next to the Hillport Gallery along Route 6A in Sandwich. House-smoked meats and hand-crafted sauces are the standard for Off The Grid’s menu that features barbeque (and non-barbeque) items with names like The Pig Lebowski, The Fishizzle and The Mac Daddy.

The original incarnation of Off The Grid, which was wiped away by hurricane Irma in 2017, would only serve four Sloppy Choppies a day. This is because the kitchen would use up the burnt ends of brisket that collected throughout the day. Now, the chopped-up brisket is smoked to perfection by Hardwick, smothered in barbeque sauce, and topped with coleslaw and the all-important slice of grilled pineapple. “It adds a little bit of flair,” Joe describes. A fork is helpful for not missing out on any of the tasty bits that escape the bun of this hefty sandwich. (However, fingers are the best tool for the job. They’re already covered in sauce and slaw anyway.)

The Sloppy Choppy is just the tip of the iceberg as Off the Grid continues to build out their new location. Adequately spaced picnic benches are set out on the lawn and new patio while just the right tunes play from the outdoor speakers. They’ve just added a selection of alcoholic beverages, and coming soon will be an upscale coffee shop as well as a separate ice cream stand. The new smoke shack, “Our COVID pivot,” Hardwick says, will remain busy year-round as Off The Grid plans to continue to offer meals to go in the off season.

Candlelight and fine table linens are wonderful and make for a truly memorable occasion. Sunshine, good tunes, a picnic table, a refreshing beverage and a chin full of sauce from a Sloppy Choppy can rival any dining experience when the hankering for barbeque beckons. All you have to do is kick back, go Off The Grid, and get sloppy.

Off The Grid
91 Route 6A, Sandwich
(508) 241-8684
facebook.com/OffTheGridCC