Monk: Eater’s Smoke Point heads to Houston to visit Leo Botello IV at Truth BBQ, who is one of a few Texas pit bosses differentiating themselves with whole hog barbecue.
Description: Truth BBQ is one the busiest barbecue restaurants in all of Texas. The restaurant is known for its popular brisket, but now pitmaster Leonard Botello IV is expanding his menu to bring Carolina whole hog barbecue to Houston.
ICYMI, Kevin’s BBQ Joints rounded up from over 120 barbecue personalities what made barbecue so special to them. We were honored that Kevin asked us to be a part of this fantastic project. While some folks focused on their earliest barbecue memories, both Rudy and I focused our answers on bites that broadened our barbecue horizons from more than just the chopped pork they grew up on in NC. Definitely worth a read.
Ayden, NC (home to Skylight Inn and Bum’s) unveils new marketing campaign: “‘Que Marks the Spot”
Noble Smoke is the only barbecue restaurant on Charlotte Magazine’s annual list of the 50 best restaurants in Charlotte
Grady’s is closed until late January for their well-deserved “winter rest”
Lawrence Barbecue as well as Lewis Barbecue in Charleston gets some love from Eater Carolinas contributors on this “Best Restaurant Meal of 2021” post
Thankfully, Pik-N-Pig’s closure will only be temporary and they aim to reopen ths year
Huli Sue’s BBQ and Grill in Asheville serves a “Hawaiian influenced take on Texas barbecue along with some other island-esque plates”
ICYMI, the Jon G’s Barbecue x Salud Beer Shop/Salud Cerveceria pizza collaboration is happening now
Barbecue options in Birmingham
Blake’s BBQ photo progress update from late December
From Lifehacker: “With my Weber, I smoked a little, grilled a lot, and learned even more—and I’d like to share my favorite dishes (and lessons) with you now, in no particular order. This is what my grill taught me over the past year.”
From last month, RIP John Mueller
The history behind hush puppies, which I will never refer to “red horse bread”
Not so fast, my friend: After announcing that its Lake Norman location was going to close, Mac’s Speed Shop announced plans for the restaurant to stay open as a smaller location after an outpouring of love from the community
John Tanner’s Barbecue Blog expands his list of good local places off I-95 from Virginia to Key West
In total copycat fashion, Eater comes out with their own list
The Smoke Sheet checks out the DFW barbecue scene in person
John Tanner checks out Meat BBQ in Lansing, Michigan while crossing that state off his list
Franklin Barbecue finally reopened for in-person dining yesterday
Austin barbecue food truck Distant Relatives is one of the 11 best new restaurants in the country, according to Eater
Grilling szn is here, writes J.C. Reid
The Troubadour Festival looked pretty sweet
So did Holy Smokes…
Monk: Chef Via Yang’s happy place is outdoors cooking over a live fire, with proteins like chicken, pork butts, and beef ribs in the Hmong flavors of his heritage. Whether its on his makeshift direct grill on concrete blocks or his multi-thousand dollar Grillworks Asador, Yang gets it done, even in the rain.
Description: Chef Yia Vang of Vinai in Minneapolis tells the story of his culture and the Hmong people through open fire cooking and feasts.