I judged on site Whole Hog and Ribs at this year's Memphis in May and when I was done I checked out some of the other teams. Boar's Night Out makes a bunch of the steak rubs that I use at home, so I thought I'd drop by when I heard they got a call to finals. Boy am I glad I did! Their finals presentation to the judges was a ton of fun to watch and photograph, and that hog was killer. Come check it out! ...
I had the great pleasure of seeing my friend Mark Lambert and his team Sweet Swine ‘O Mine win #1 pork shoulder at the 2022 Memphis In May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. Here are a bunch of pictures of their final judging and the sweet aftermath.
This is the one you’re looking for. Real Texas brisket, made on a pellet grill. I gave up messing around with fire after ten years of smoking meat. I got tired of the overnight panic worried that my fire had gone out or had gone on a hot tear. I went pellet and never looked…
This is not an “I hate Aaron Franklin” post. I like the guy. I have both of his books, first edition, day of publication. I’ve watched his whole series on PBS. I’ve watched his Masterclass. He’s a cool, smart dude. This is also not an “I hate the wait at Franklin” post. Truly it is…
As many of you know, I am a judge at the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest held every May in Memphis, Tennessee. Boy that’s a mouthful. But it’s also a mouthful of great barbecue! And though I generally believe that if you are doing competition barbecue right you don’t need sauce, if…
Pulling up on that crunchy gravel lot, there will already be a line in front of Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ in Austin, Texas. And you’ll probably say to yourself, do I really want to stand in line at yet another Austin food truck, especially this early in the morning on a Saturday? Don’t fool yourself….
Loro Austin is gorgeous. Created by James Beard Award winners, Chef Tyson Cole of Uchi and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, Loro Austin’s beautiful architecture floods the open space with sunlight. And it has great seating throughout. Barstools up front at the bar, tables, benches and booths on the wall. This place was well thought out.
Taqueria Azteca is my favorite place for tacos in Central Arkansas. (They have two spots, one in Maumelle and one in Benton.) They’re as authentico as I imagine they get, and certainly bring me back to those terrific taco places I’ve eaten at in Mexico.
There’s a special place in my heart for a Meat-n-Three, and Jestine’s Kitchen in Charleston, South Carolina is doing it right. It was hot as Blazes the day I came by, and the sweet greeting I received at the door was just as sweet as this frosty, cool sweet tea that came right quick. It…