Monk: Team applications for Memphis in May are officially open for next year’s festival which will take place in Liberty Park
This of course is after a new, upstart festival has been announced to be held at (plot twist) Tom Lee Park, where Memphis in May had traditionally been held. Forward Momentum are the organizers behind the rival festival which will be held at the same time as Memphis in May, and Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porkers is on board to compete, even going so far as to say “BBQ in Memphis belongs on the river, and with Forward Momentum, we now have the means and resources to make it happen.”
As for me? If I make either festival it will surely be Memphis in May at Liberty Park.
Finally, in perhaps somewhat related news, the CEO of Memphis in May is retiring at the end of January.
Native News
Congrats to Raleigh’s The Pit, which will celebrate 15 years open this weekend
Phar Mill Brewing and BBQ’s downtown Concord location is now closed to the public and they will focus on the original Harrisburg location going forward
Can’t wait to see this new Jon G’s design on a t-shirt
FoodieScore checks back in with Johnny Ray’s Smokehouse in Fallston
A free gift with purchase from Concord’s SnS Grills
Speaking of gifts, this shirt from House of Swank is a little too reductive terms of barbecue ideology, but I appreciate it nonetheless
Non-Native News
FatStack Smokers, who relocated from California to Texas and has been accused of taking customers’ money without providing actual smokers, has closed up shop
FatStack Smokers, which recently moved operations from L.A. to Houston, appears to have closed up shop with a long list of pre-paid orders unfulfilled (per Redditt & FB user page). The owner previously addressed troubles on YouTube. h/t @KevinsBBQJointshttps://t.co/xkfeJICgpY
Speaking of Houston, here’s J.C. Reid’s top 30 barbecue restaurants list for the city
Here's a new barbecue list, if you're interested. 30 of Houston's top barbecue joints as of late 2023, my latest for the @HoustonChron (gift link). https://t.co/WgCB1XAh5j
One more from J.C. Reid on how brisket makes a Philly cheesesteak even better
Brisket makes everything better, right? It certainly makes classic sandwiches like a Philly cheesesteak better, at least in this Texan's opinion. My latest for the @houstonchron. (free link) #houbbq@RoegelsBarbecuehttps://t.co/NZfZ8lqNF6
Big Dave’s BBQ makes this Eater Essentials list for Greenville, SC
A review of a new type of grill brush
Talk about a #woodpilewednesday
If my measurements are correct and an orange cone is 28 inches tall, I think we are looking at around 16 feet of oak stacked painstakingly by the folks at California Firewood Sales. pic.twitter.com/JVYFiI3zA8
Monk: The Mallard Creek Barbecue is back later this month for its 92nd annual event, but with a wrinkle. The barbecue will be drive-through and carryout only this year. That’s right, no dine-in. Per the event’s Facebook page:
The BBQ is on for 2023!
The fourth Thursday of October holds a special place in the hearts of the members of the Church and the community at large. This year’s BBQ will be a little different from our traditional event. Our delivery methods will be DRIVE-THRU and WALK-UP CARRY OUT ONLY.
1 – The Walk-Up Carry Out under the awning at the left side of the Drive-Thru area for large orders Plates, Sandwiches, Bulk BBQ, Stew, & Slaw 2 – The Sandwich Stand – Small orders – Sandwiches, Drinks, Bulk BBQ, Stew, & Slaw (No Plates) Souvenir T-shirts & hats also available at the Sandwich Stand
Sorry, we are not able to offer dine-in seating this year.
Our menu is assuredly the same; Hickory Smoked Pork BBQ, our special Brunswick Stew and our own blend of Cole Slaw (vinegar based). Please check the price list below for current pricing. We accept CASH and VISA/MC CREDIT CARD payment methods for your convenience.Sorry, NO DEBIT CARDS accepted.
Serving begins at 10:00 AM and we will continue until sold out.
Call 704-547-0038 after 9am on BBQ day for pick-up orders of 50 or more units ONLY. No other advance orders are taken
Not to be outdone, the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival has been announcing pitmasters for the Prieto Pitmaster Invitational at its festival, including Brandon Shepard of Shepard Barbecue, Melanie Dunia of The Pit, Ron Simmons of Master Blend Family Farms, and Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ
Blake’s BBQ has its final days in the trailer this week
When you realize that there are only 4 days left, EVER, of “OG Blake’s BBQ” brisket bark.. After Saturday, it’ll still be available, at the new digs down the street. Come see us this Wednesday-Saturday and let’s go out with a bang at the bbq trailer! pic.twitter.com/UaYRubMCzE
Monk: In a bit of a break from our regularly scheduled programming, we have a guest post from lead singer Christopher Harold Wells of the San Francisco “psychadelic shoegaze rock band” The Neverlutionaries. Christopher has recently gotten into barbecue but you can tell he definitely has a passion for it – in both eating it as well as smoking it himself. He’s been spending his quarantine time in Raleigh (where he grew up), and reached out to us wanting to share his thoughts.
As you may be aware, Raleigh is about to have a barbecue renaissance, so Christopher will have a lot more places to try out very soon, including the already opened Prime BBQ in Knightdale and Sam Jones BBQ downtown as well as soon-to-be opened joints like Lawrence Barbecue, Wyatt’s Barbecue, Ed Mitchell’s The Preserve, and Longleaf Swine. I’ll be curious what if his list changes later this year, particularly the two non-NC chain restaurants on his list. I definitely hope he checks them out and broadens his horizons when it comes to NC barbecue restaurants.
Photo courtesy of The Neverlutionaries / Michael Phillips
Christopher: I’ve always been a HUGE fan of BBQ. When I was able to travel/tour, one of my favorite things to do was to check out the different BBQ spots in the places I would visit. I loved the regional variations of it. St. Louis has its mustard vibe (Editor’s Note: Hmm….), Nashville has its twangy tomato vibe, and NC has the vinegar-based tomato thang going which is my favorite of them all.
After I finished freaking out and got my head together after Corona reared its ugly head, I started experimenting with smoking meats with different kinds of woods etc. as a way to relax. It reminds me of my music creation process.
You must begin with quality basic ingredients, then add seasonings to the point where they are just right and of course timing is of the essence in both. The most important ingredient is love. You can tell by the taste if someone loves what they are doing. We all have had an instance where you get your favorite meal somewhere and it tastes different depending on who is preparing it. If the person cooking loves what they do it will be awesome. On the other hand, if the preparer isn’t feeling it (his cooking mission) you can taste that as well. It’s about the passion of cooking and BBQ that makes us want to get better each time and to experience the reward we get when someone takes a bite of your ‘cue, they smile and possibly get goosebumps. Food and music both do that for me…
I discovered Dickey’s by accident though I’d seen their catering truck at many events that I attended. Now I get it. Dickeys’ NC style pulled pork is in my top faves for sure. They smoke everything with hickory wood, have great Brunswick Stew and they also feature next level stuffed potatoes and when I say stuffed, I mean stuffed! Loaded with BBQ or literally any way you want them. I never had pulled pork on a potato before and now I am a fan and will continue doing so. They also have classic sides and desserts to round out your meal to perfection! 6552 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612
This cool little spot on the edge of Downtown Raleigh is a NC staple and has been feeding nearby North Carolina State University students and locals for close to 25 years and they are still going strong. Simplicity is the first word that comes to mind, actually, I digress, delicious is a better word to describe this old school spot that has consistently tasty BBQ. OTB also features the classic Southern offering of a “meat and three” vegetable plate fairly priced and seriously filling. They have superb fried chicken as well and yummy slaw which we know can be a BBQ Pork’s sandwiched best friend. They also have sandwiches, chicken pastry and a rocking Brunswick Stew. And did I say affordable? You get your money’s worth here for sure! 6309 Hillsborough St #1148, Raleigh, NC 27606oletimebarbecue.com
(Editor’s Note: This was a favorite of mine and friend of the blog Boomsauce while at NC State in the early 2000’s)
3. City Barbecue and Catering (North Raleigh, NC)
North Raleigh has a BBQ spot that is worth the drive called “City Barbecue” that has the best brisket I have ever eaten. I have recently started trying to smoke brisket and pork shoulder and I’m getting better but still have a long way to go. What they do at the award-winning City Barbecue is damn near magical. Featuring on-site smokers and hickory wood, the brisket almost disintegrates upon contact. It’s just that tender! And the flavor is outstanding. As any brisket lover knows, the secret is in the bark and they dialed in their seasonings like a champ on this one! 9424 Falls of Neuse Rd #108, Raleigh, NC 27615
2. The Pit Authentic Barbecue (Raleigh and Durham, NC)
You may want to make a reservation for this super popular Downtown Raleigh and Durham eatery! Their celebrated cuisine has been featured on Good Morning America, The Morning Show on CBS and even heralded food publication, Bon Appetit. Hey, they even beat Bobby Flay in a rib challenge.. The Pit not only features Pit-smoked free-range whole hog pork to make their classic North Carolina BBQ but they also have authentic Texas-style brisket and other amazing offerings. They proudly feature North Carolina raised pork. Their entire menu is great! I’ve never had anything bad there, and I’m a bit finicky! 328 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601thepit-raleigh.com
Clyde Cooper’s in downtown Raleigh has been open ever since 1938 and believe me, there is definitely a reason that they have been open for 82 years! A no-frills casual eating spot with Pig memorabilia donning their walls, they have it nailed with their beef brisket, ribs, pulled, coarse and chopped North Carolina style BBQ pork. They proudly use their own signature vinegar based sauce, and cook with wood or a combination of wood and gas which helps give the exquisite smoke rings that make it super tender and a flavor that will have you smiling after your first bite! 327 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601clydecoopersbbq.com/
Thanks to Christopher for his time and be sure to check out The Neverlutionaries’ new album.
Photo courtesy of The Neverlutionaries / Michael Phillips
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