Featured
The Barbecue Center is often overlooked in the shadow of Lexington Barbecue but those who are in the know believe that it’s every bit as good as its more popular counterpart (perhaps better?).
The late Sonny Conrad started out as a carhop before purchasing the restaurant in 1967 (it originally opened in 1955) and his family has run it ever since, with sons Cecil and Michael taking over day to day activities since their father passed in 2013. More on their family story at the link below.
Next time you are passing through Lexington on Business 85, consider stopping at The Barbecue Center which is just two miles away from Lexington Barbecue off N. Main St.
Native News
More from Lexington: a profile of the city’s history with barbecue with some quotes from the Conrads and the Monks of Lexington Barbecue
Barbecue-gate for Democratic candidate for NC Senate Cal Cunningham, born and raised in Lexington of all places (yes, I’m aware of the more recent scandal)
Parker’s Barbecue in Wilson found itself in the news this week after a customer complained about employees not wearing masks.
I’m going to file this in the “Native News” section even though its from Texas writer J.C. Reid
Non-Native News
Robert Moss finds a mention of pork steaks in Charleston from a menu from 1851
That very same Robert Moss has an updated version of his book out now, and he spoke with The Smoke Sheet last week
Doveshack BBQ is well worth a stop-off from I-95 during the eventual back-up, writes John Tanner’s BBQ Blog
Kevin Bludso of Bludso’s Bar & Que and “The American Barbecue Showdown” talks to the Washington Post about the neglected contributions of black pitmasters among other topics
John Brown Smokehouse’s original location closed this past week, but it will be reopening in a new location this Thursday
Another hard lesson learned in the form of Prause’s Meat Market: don’t take your favorite classic barbecue joints for granted