Monk: This Thanksgiving, consider leaving the cooking to the professionals at these Charlotte-area barbecue joints. You also get the added benefit of supporting a local business while you take it easy because let’s face it, we should all take it easy when we can. See below for information.
Big Tiny’s BBQ – Mooresville, NC
The Dixie Pig – Rock Hill, SC
Farmhouse BBQ – Gastonia, NC
The Improper Pig – Charlotte, Fort Mill
Jon G’s Barbecue – Peachland, NC
Mac’s Speed Shop
Midwood Smokehouse
Noble Smoke
OooWee BBQ – Pineville
The Q Shack
RayNathan’s – Gastonia, NC
Rock Store BBQ – Stallings
The Smoke Pit – Concord, Gastonia, Monroe, Salisbury
Even in the midst of a pandemic and all that 2020 had to offer, Tim Carman of the Washington Post went ahead with his annual “best barbecue joints in DC” list, with the main change being that he got takeout from every joint he tried. And he found that, even while getting more and more expensive, the state of barbecue in DC is strong and only improving. To wit, three of the joints in his top ten were brand new to the list.
Cheers to Tim Carman for pushing ahead!
The editors and I huddled and made the call: We would do the annual barbecue rankings, pandemic be damned. I'm so glad we did. https://t.co/eE9JXIJO3J
.@DallasNews: Greenberg Smoked Turkey in Tyler is shutting down for the holiday season after a fire and at least two explosions destroyed 87,000 turkeys and part of the facility. “We will rebuild. We will be smoking turkeys in 2021. And to hell with 2020.” https://t.co/T21y6NvE67
The Athens episode of TrueSouth brought together neighbors; watch at the link below
For our Athens TrueSouth show on @SECNetwork we invited the Betty Jean & Larry Scott of Scott's BBQ to eat with Pablo Rivadenyera at his Peruvian restaurant across the street. Off camera, friends Andre Gallant, Beto Mendoza, and Wright Thompson worked hard https://t.co/gZnsPDb5Bcpic.twitter.com/RIbQY0OzFS
A trio of John Tanner Barbecue stories on NC barbecue joints – Rick’s Smokehouse, The Barbecue Center, and Midwood Smokehouse – including where I (Monk) was able to meet up with him in Charlotte. I enjoyed a meal with John – he got the pork combo platter and I got the brisket – on the patio at the Park Road location of Midwood Smokehouse a few weeks back on a warm October weekday. John certainly has his bona fides when it comes to barbecue – he is a certified True ‘Cue Inspector for the Virginia and DC Metro area and has an impressive archive of reviews over at John Tanner’s Barbecue Blog – and is an even nicer man to boot. I enjoyed our lunch conversation that ranged from barbecue to NASCAR to John Coltrane. Be sure to check out his blog and like his Facebook page.
Native News
Blues on Franklin gives Chapel Hill a new barbecue option owned by three generation of Tar Heels
A new BBQ restaurant has opened on Franklin Street — touted as being owned by three generations of Tar Heels.https://t.co/UK30OuaRe3
Instead of this year’s Barbecue Festival the 4th weekend in October in Lexington, the organizers behind the festival are instead holding a food and blood drive to benefit the community. The Barbecue Center, Smiley’s Barbecue, Smokey Joe’s BBQ, and Stamey’s Barbecue (the one in Tyro) are all participating by setting up donation tents where non-perishable items or blood can be exchanged for barbecue sandwiches. “Lift Up Lexington” is a positive spin on a barbecue festival cancellation.
From the press release:
On Saturday, October 24th, when more than 125,000 people were expected to gather in Uptown Lexington for the 37th Annual Barbecue Festival, local businesses and organizations will join the festival organizers in utilizing “festival day” to uplift the community.
With an emphasis on giving back and the city’s world-famous barbecue heritage, Lift Up Lexington (#liftUPlex) will include two components: a food drive and blood drive. Event organizers will have seven drop off locations for the food drive which will benefit Pastor’s Pantry. Those who wish to contribute are asked to bring a minimum of five new, unexpired non-perishable items. Requested items include can goods, cereal, pasta & crackers.Read more here
Sat. Oct. 24 we're hosting activities to lift up our community & celebrate our BBQ Heritage – in a socially distant way, of course!
Southern Smoke BBQ‘s collards chowder is featured in Saveur magazine
Midwood Smokehouse, Stamey’s Barbecue, and several other barbecue restaurants appear on this list of places where presidents and presidential candidates have eaten in North Carolina
B’s Barbecue makes this list of things to do in Greenville, NC
Less than 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ miles from the Atlantic coast you'll find @VisitGreenville.
Discover safe outdoor adventures + delicious dining options (like #CountOnMeNC certified Dickinson Avenue Public House) for your next visit to the Emerald City. 💚
Dozier's, a restaurant and meat market in Fulshear, has spectacularly juicy smoked turkey, excellent sausage, and a peppery house-made mustard. Just don't go on a Tuesday. https://t.co/BSh1BU47Nj
The Pig Out Inn originally opened in 1996 and was sold to Katie and Bubba McCabe earlier this year during the pandemic
Katie and Bubba McCabe recently purchased The Pig Out Inn Barbecue and hope to reopen the iconic restaurant in downtown Natchez, MS soon https://t.co/f7v6kmSKUV