Southern Belly BBQ, Columbia, SC.

Southern Belly BBQ, Columbia, SC.

"BBQ in Columbia is about as disappointing as a South Carolina win over the Bulldogs!"

I love my sister.  I love my sister's three daughters.  However, when it comes to getting married, they all have adopted this younger generation's penchant for destination weddings.  As I said, I love them dearly, and if they read this blog, please know that most of this is tongue in cheek and written to only invoke sympathy as well as make this blog relevant to what perhaps most all of you have experienced!  The final of my sister's daughters chose her current city of employment of Columbia, SC.  She's in the television business in some way, and I suppose they have televisions in South Carolina.

So this wedding was set for Friday, September 8.  Actually, after wondering briefly why someone would get married on a Friday, I concluded that it is actually a pretty good idea!  Folks like me get to take of work on Friday missing POTUS Donald J. Trump's nightmare of traffic jam visit to Atlanta and not conflicting with other options for the weekend!  Debbie and I left the farm in Bolingbroke that morning with two destinations in mind:  Courtney's wedding and Southern Belly BBQ in Columbia.  Southern Belly has allegedly been voted the best in Columbia, among the best in South Carolina, etc.  In fact, I love the fact that there are some subtle sauce differences among bbq served in South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Memphis, etc.  Georgia sort of ends up with a hodgepodge of bbq sauce selections except when some of my favorite places wind up making a successful Vidalia onion enhanced sauce which can be pretty good, and I even predict may make for a signature sauce for Georgia!.

Anyway, now to the bbq.  After starving ourselves until we could get to Columbia, which is about a 4 hour drive, we get to the Capitol City of South Carolina.  One thing that I will say that Columbia has going for it compared to Atlanta, is the lack of traffic issues and driveability.  We cruised right into downtown Columbia, followed our GPS directly to Harden Street and with only a little challenge, drove right to the dive....and the original Southern Belly is a dive.

The building isn't well marked, and parking isn't very easy either.  We did find a shopping center two blocks away and enjoyed the little walk among USC college students following the drive over from Georgia.  The building, as indicated wasn't well marked.  If it hadn't been for the two neon light pigs in the window (dead give away, huh?), we'd have gone around the block again!  We slipped into the little dive, which probably wouldn't seat more than about 40 including the 10 or so seats at the bar.  The place wasn't packed, so finding a seat wasn't a problem.  After hours of driving, of course, we wanted to use the "facilities".  The women's restroom was taped off, so I "stood guard" while Shug washed her hands in the men's restroom.

We had already checked out the menu online at www.southernbellybbq.com.  We had found the menu to be fairly unique in that there wasn't really a lot of variety on the menu other than bbq "sandwiches".  Now in all fairness, you could get the sandwich in more varieties than any other place I'd ever seen!  In fact, you could get your sandwich topped in 7 different ways including the "Wookie" which is a $17 bbq sandwich with extra meat, cheese, bacon, and other toppings!  So, there are no ribs at this place.  There is no brisket, and there is no Brunswick stew or baked beans.  Your sides are pretty much slaw, chips, or curly fries.  I'm not really being critical as I think this is probably a pretty good business model if you can be successful at it.  Having a lot of distractions on a bbq joint's menu can detract from the main menu, or so that has been my observation from time to time over years of dong these reviews.

What Southern Belly lacked in menu variety, they made up for in their variety of sauces.  There are no less than 7 different sauces on the menu pretty much running the gamut of bbq sauce options most regionally recognized in the southeast.  Being in South Carolina, we had to try their "Midas" sauce which is the mustard based South Carolina inspired sauce.  We also tried the Southern Belly Alabama white sauce and the sweeter Rebel Red.  Again, what Southern Belly lacked in meat and side options, the sauce options at least partially created an acceptable event.

To the food.  The slaw and curly fries were sufficient but nothing spectacular in terms of uniqueness.  I will say there was nothing left of these two items in my basket when I get finished.  We sort of got off on the wrong start (for the second time) when the USC college student waitress announced that they were out of catsup for the fries.   Who runs any kind of eating place that serves fries and runs out of catsup?  This is America, not Moscow!!!!

Now, to the bbq.  Well, in all fairness, the bbq sandwich pulls up the rating that Southern Belly will get but at least a little bit.  The sandwich was a good portion of pulled pork barbecue that had not been lathered down with some kind of base sauce.  It was a good, clean selection of barbecue that was moist and had enough bark to give it a speck of color but little to no evidence of fat .  In other words, it was clean, tasty, and of good consistency.  I rather enjoyed trying several of the sauces with our selection, and though Southern Belly sort of rations out the amount of sauce they give you, it is good stuff.

We left after burning $30 for the food and tip for the two of us with me thinking that I could have fed the whole family including the grandkids at our old standby, Scotts BBQ, for that kind of money.  In the grand scheme of things, I'm giving Southern Belly a 4 with room to grow for service.  Admittedly, they have another location or two in Columbia that may top this section nestled next to the University of South Carolina.

As we drove toward the destination of the wedding and went by the Gamecocks Stadium, I thought, "y'all may have beat us this year in the game that doomed the Bulldogs' chance at a national championship, but your BBQ, at least based on my experience in Columbia, needs to step up its game!

Thanks Courtney and Ernie for getting us to South Carolina to wish you guys the best in marriage...and have some pretty good South Carolina bbq!

Smoke Ring Atlanta, GA

Smoke Ring, Atlanta.
For most of my adult life, I loathed the idea of having a job in or near downtown Atlanta.  I've said for nearly the last 40 years that "the best view of Atlanta is in my rear view mirror!"  For the most part, I still feel that way despite the fact that I have worked inside the perimeter for the past 3 1/2 years.  Some jobs are just going to require location there (in fact, probably a couple of million jobs) as where you work, so you've just got to make the best of it.  For me, "making the best of it" means occasionally finding a new and interesting place to eat.  When it is a bbq joint, it is even better!

located just a few blocks west of the Capitol and within eyesight of Mercedez Benz stadium is a relatively new joint that, though a bit on the pricey side, has some great bbq and sides, has charm and character, and a staff that makes you feel good about stopping by.  As what seems to be the practice now days as we check out a new bbq joint in the ATL, I may try to hook up with an old friend or two who have the same appreciation for slow smoked meat and who appreciate the work and creativity necessary for a successful diner.  So I hooked up with an old friend and a couple of his key folks to try out Smoke Ring for the first time.

Getting there for us was no problem during the lunch hour.  We just cruised down Northside Drive, turned left just past the Benz, and found Smoke Ring just a couple of streets away.  We found ample parking in the available free deck, and went in to a cute and well done building adorned with things that give it eye appeal and character.  The menu, which can be located at the following link, was sufficiently varied without getting away from why you come to a good bbq joint.  www.smokeringatlanta.com. 

Now to the food.  When you look at the picture, you may ask, "what in the heck is that?"  I suppose there is a first time for everything! My selection for the day was pulled pork bbq, Brunswick stew, and....yep, Brussel sprouts!  Let me start there.  I know without a doubt that I had never ordered Brussel sprouts at a bbq joint before.  Homer had told me they were great, and so I tried them.  Frankly, these may have been the most distinctive item on my plate for the day.  They were braised, or something like that, with a slight sweetness to them.  I'd certainly select them again on a future visit.

The Brunswick stew was better than average with good visual evidence of meat, corn, and the usual ingredients.  The stew itself would make for a great lunchtime meal on a cold winter day, and in fact it probably will for me sometime this coming winter.

Finally, the bbq.  As evidenced in the picture, the bbq sandwich is a generous portion of pulled pork that is tender, clean, not overly dry, but also not excessively fatty.  While I find good bbq at several places in Atlanta, this was as good as I've found for the most part.  I've give it and the overall experience a 4.5 on the 5 point scale.

You sort of have to get used to this in the big city, but the major discount on the score is the price.  When you spend close to $20 for a sandwich plate, tea, and tip, tightwads like me don't eat like this every day.  I've been spoiled by eating many bbq joints across Georgia for a fraction of that price.  I will say, though, that the quality of the bbq at the top bbq joints in Atlanta continues to be most impressive and sets a high standard for the rest of Georgia!

Brickyard Pub and BBQ, Lewiston, NY.

Brickyard Pub and BBQ, Lewiston, NY.
Here I am some 800 miles away from home searching for good wings and bbq. We have already eaten at the Anchor Bar where the chicken win became famous, and their wings are really amazing. Today we rode up to Lake Ontario again. It should really be called the Ontario Ocean as you can’t see the other side.  We were trying to decide between a place called the Silo on the Niagara River or The Brickyard. Thanks to Debbie, we selected the Brickyard.

Lewiston, NY is a quaint little town just a few miles north of Niagara Falls. It has a number of retail shops and dining venues with much character. Brickyard is located right on the main drag. We were seated promptly at this very clean and well laid out little joint. We had already checked out the menu, and it had everything we could want:  pork, brisket, chicken, Brunswick stew, wings, and sweet potato fries.

The food came out relatively quickly, and wow, it was of copious quantity. I ordered the pork sandwich and sweet potato fries. Debbie ordered the pork melt and onion rings. To the sides first. Honestly, the sweet potato fries may have been the best we’ve ever had. They had a very light dusting of cinnamon, and were cooked perfectly. The onion rings, though not freshly dug Vidalia’s were pretty good as well.

Now to the Bbq. I really hate to admit it, way up here in upstate NY, but frankly this was some of the best Bbq we have ever had. The texture, moisture, appearance, and quantity were excellent. I’m not sue what kind of bun it was, but it didn’t come out of a plastic bag I promise you. The Bbq was clean, with a gentle smoke favor.

The Brickyard only has one sauce referred to as their house sauce. That’s all they need. This sauce is darn near perfect. It has a sweet, smoky taste with a thicker consistency. I’d love to get my hands on a few bottles of it. 

I realize it’s been a year since I last posted, but it’s taken me a year to find another joint worthy. I doubt I’ll ever be back to Lewiston, NY, but if you are ever in the Niagara Falls area, take the free transit just a few miles north....it’s worth the time and the views are spectacular as well!

B's Cracklin BBQ, Atlanta, GA

B's Cracklin BBQ, Atlanta, GA

As I've said for at least the past decade, some of the best barbecue in Georgia can be found in the metro Atlanta area.  Of note, though, this joint also has a location in Savannah, but it is its Atlanta location that is largely responsible for putting it on the map.  B's has been in business for somewhere around three years as of today (August 2018).  It has gotten some rave reviews by the metro area food critics and has been voted 2017 "Atlanta Eater Restaraunt of the Year".  My daughter, an accomplished food critic of her own right, had frequented B's and highly recommended it.  I was waiting for the chance to check it out when my friend Candy Norton suggested that we go eat barbecue one day.  I rounded up a couple of work friends, and Candy picked us up in her most impressive Tesla SUV.  We navigated our way further into NW Atlanta to find the joint with great anticipation.  

B's is located in an old house just a little off the beaten path but in easy travelling distance from the Howell Mill Road/Northside Drive area.  There's not a lot parking at B's, and there is also not a really large seating area, so getting there early is highly recommended.  We found our way inside and were greeted by a very kind waiter.  We were provided menus of which you can find in the following website link.  www.bscracklinbbq.com

I ordered up my typical "first visit" meal that included a pulled pork sandwich.  I would have gotten Brunswick stew, but B's only does that "seasonally."  (Honestly, I thought that Brunswick stew season was a year round kind of thing!)  Candy and Greg ordered ribs, so secretly I was in hopes that I'd at least get to try one of their ribs (and I did!)  Our food came in good timing and was well presented as depicted below.

We sampled sauces, of which there were three:  Carolina Vinegar, Spicy Mustard, and another more normaly house sauce.  As seen in the picture, the Spicy Mustard won out for me!    The bbq was clean, moist, tender, and tasty with just the right amount of smokiness.  The portion size was most sufficient as I certainly was not hungry upon leaving.  The surprising entre that I had was the collard greens.  B's collard greens were some of the best that I've ever had.  I never really figured out exactly what the "secret" flavoring was, but if I can ever figure it out, this will be how I'd fix my greens in the future.

Candy was gracious enough to allow me to try one of her ribs, and I was not disappointed.  They were perhaps a little more like competition styled ribs in terms of texture in that they didn't just "fall off the bone", but their flavor, texture, color, and appearance were excellent.

What may be the most cool thing about  B's is its origin.  Taken from its website:  Head BBQ Pitmaster, Bryan Furman, is livin’ the dream having left his day job as a welder to pursue cooking his signature-style pit smoked barbeque, chicken and ribs.  

What began as a fun idea to celebrate his daughter’s first birthday in 2010 by roasting a hog for family and friends, turned into catering and filling order requests from his co-workers.

B's has been featured in such wonderful southern magazines as "Garden and Gun" and "Southern Living", and my observation over the years is that you can generally take their recommendations to the bank.  

All in all, I look forward to returning to B's with friends to experience some of the best bbq in Georgia.  On my scale of 1 to 5, we will give B's a 4.5 pending my next exerience!

DAS Barbecue

"Atlanta's Hottest New Joint"!

4/25/2017

http://www.dasbbq.com/

In September 2016, I began working on the north side of downtown Atlanta.  Somewhere along the way, I had probably said "I'd never work in downtown Atlanta".  After a 7 year stint working in the Atlanta suburbs and getting to know "the lay of the land", working inside of "the perimeter, while never being desirable" became "acceptable" considering the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia.  I had figured that aside from leading one of the country's largest pension fund systems, there had to be some additional advantages that I had not discovered yet.  Today was one of those days where I found another reason to make working in Atlanta work despite a daily commute of 78 miles one way...DAS BBQ.

DAS is one of Atltanta's hottest new resturants.  Located on Collier Road which is just off Howell Mill Road, DAS has only been open a few months as of this post.  I'd first heard of DAS from a tweet or some other social media post by author Charles Martin who is a long time friend of owner Stephen Franklin.  I'd received another report or two that DAS was really good from colleagues who'd visited the place.  After reconnecting with long time friend and former Forsyth County Schools Human Resources Director, Candy Norton, and knowing of my incessant desire to experience good barbecue, Candy and I agreed to try it for lunch one day.  Of course, Candy had beaten me to the punch and had already visited DAS with friends.  She knew what she was getting me into!    

Dr. Norton picked me up at 2 Northside 75 in her high tech Tesla SUV, and Tessie, with her 5 gallon bucket sized display screen led us to the Collier Road address of DAS.  We arrived early, so we had no problem finding a good parking place.  I emphasize "arrived early".  If you wait until 12 to get there, you'll struggle to find parking plus you'll stand in line a bit.  We got out and since Candy had already visited joint on another occasion, she knew where to look around the side of the building in order to introduce me to "Poncho and Lefty."  Pictured below are the two, genuine 500 gallon wood fired smokers who have been named such.  Yes, genuine, no propane, etc. wood fired smokers that burn off of a mixture of 50% hickory and 50% pecan wood.  The elder Franklin would later explain why that mix is the one that works for DAS.

Candy introduced me to one of the most enthusiastic, extroverted BBQ pitmasters I've ever met.  Stephen Franklin grew up in the Atlanta area of Vinings.  His dad, among other things, was a professor at Emory and long time barbecue lover and judge.  When we met Steve, he was attending to the duties around the pit while getting ready for the lunch rush.  I told Stephen that I'd first heard about DAS through a tweet from Charles Martin.  He really liked that, and then told me "you've got to come inside and meet "Pops".  Pops, in addition to being Stephen's Dad (Steve) was somewhat of a mentor to Charles Martin who has written a number of books that include settings in the southeastern US.  The entire Evans clan has read ALL of the Martin books!  Stephen nor Pop's have ever met a stranger or so it seems, so we jumped into a conversation that lasted for at least an hour.  We talked barbecue, south Georgia, Texas and its barbecue, the success of the new venture as well as how this business came to be.  

We arrived early enough to get a seat with Pops, place our order, and then begin to watch the line begin to form.  By the time we had gotten our meal, the line was backed up to the entry of the door....a good sign for a barbecue joint.  DAS is one of those places where you walk up to the counter, place your order, have a seat, and then they'll call out your name and you come up and get your order.  While that service format may cut down on the presence of waitors and waitresses, there is something most gratifying about picking up your food from the counter and savoring it all the way back to the table.  This is what ours looked like.

WOW!!!  We ordered the 3 meat plate that included ribs, sliced brisket, and pulled pork. The sides I ordered were Brunswick stew and collards.  I had already sampled the two types of sauces offered by DAS:  A sort of mild tomato based sauce that was infused with expresso (coffee) and their mustard based sauce that is about as much peach sauce as it is mustard. Both were wonderful on all 3 of the meats.

I really didn't know where to start on the meats.  All 3 had great appearance from the visible smoke rings, attractive coloring, and light bark.  I chose to start with the pulled pork.  Simply put, the best I've had in months.  They have their own secrets and strategies, but suffice it to say that the bbq is fresh, moist, and well taken care of from purchase, through the smoking, and to the table.  The brisket was tender, juicy, and full of that great, beefy flavor.  The ribs were totally to die for!!!  They were tender enough to be "fall off the bone", but they didn't! The taste on all 3 of these distinctive meat options were exceptional.  On the scale of 1 to 5, we are pushing the 5 limits on these.  

Normally I write about the Brunswick stew first simply to get it out of the way.  I suppose I was so excited about the meats I held back on the stew, but DAS's stew and other sides compliment their menu nicely.  The stew was meaty.  There was no effort to go light on the meat based stew.  There's a bit more corn in the stew along with the tomatoes, but it is light on the potatoes, and that's good for us low carb dieters.  The stew had great coloring and appearance.  It's taste was clean and flavorful.  In all reality, the stew could have been my meal for the day.  

Usually after a meal like this, I would not even think about dessert.  I had noticed that the desert option included a banana pudding and also a peanut butter/chocolate pudding. Steve Franklin said he really liked the banana pudding.  We opted for the Peanut Butter/Chocolate.  While I'm sure that either choice would have been great, there's something about this chocolate peanut butter dish that just makes you smile.

Atlanta continues to be home to some of the south's greatest barbecue joints.  I've been to about all of them.  DAS happens to be one of the hottest restaurants in Atlanta right now according to Atlanta Eater  http://atlanta.eater.com/maps/best-new-atlanta-restaurants-heatmap.  I can't wait for a return trip to this northwest Atlanta hotspot that's making working in Atlanta just a bit more exciting.  

  

Papa Buck's BBQ.  Metter, GA.

4/20/2017

"HOME OF THE PIGZILLA"

Anyone who has driven the stretch of I-16 between Macon and Savannah very much knows that there are only a couple of even halfway decent exits to stop and eat along that stretch.  If you leave Macon heading toward Savannah, you really don't want to stop in Dublin as you have barely been on the road for less than an hour.  By the time you get to Metter, you are thinking, "my gosh, I didn't think I'd ever find a place to take a break!"  Well, the good news is that Metter has several good options for taking a break, including getting barbecue.  Years ago, I had discovered Jomax BBQ, and it was very good as best as I remember.  It did not, however, leave me with the feeling that "I've got to make it a priority to go back anytime really soon."  

Let me digress just a moment regarding Metter.  My first real appreciation for the town of Metter came back around 1992 which would be about 25 years ago.  At that time in my life, I was into road cycling.  Three other friends of mine from Eastman (Wayne Smith, Joe Taylor, and Rae Taylor), where we lived at the time, decided to do the second half of one of Georgia's great cycling events, Bike Ride Across Georgia.  We had joined up with BRAG in Eastman on a Thursday with the goal to end up in Savannah on Saturday of that week.  Day 1 of the ride was filled with enthusiasm and great adrenalin flow.  We spent the night in Vidalia, and then Day 2 would have us riding from Vidalia to Statesboro.  There are some things that you learn in taking up new adventures, and one of the things you learn in long distance cycling is effectives uses of things like Vaseline and baby powder.  Without getting highly descriptive, we were so glad to get to Metter about mid-day of that trip to find a drug store in order to find some much needed Vaseline!  

They've said for a long time "things are better in Metter!"  While I can't say it is a place that I have a desire to live, I can say it's work a stop along I-16 to grab a barbecue meal.  On this day, I was traveling alone to Savannah.  I had heard of Papa Buck's www.papabucks.com, and I had wanted to eat there at some point.  I made it a priority to time my trip accordingly.  I got to the joint, and it certainly qualifies as a "joint", before the lunch crowd really began gathering (and they eventually did about the time I was leaving), I easily found a seat and within an acceptable period of time was waited on by one of  the several waitresses who all wore tight pants with a Papa Buck's T-shirt for the top.  Knowing the young, south Georgia redneck population the way that I think I do, I'm guessing that some of these guys were showing up partly for the barbecue and partly because of the friendly waitress staff!

The barbecue offerings at Papa Buck's are exceptional.  The menus is relatively extensive with offierings including bbq chicken, pulled pork, pork loin,  ribs, brisket, turkey, hamburgers, and chicken fingers.

Home of the PIGZILLA. 

Advertized proudly, both inside and outside of the building, is something about "Pigzilla". The Pigzilla is 3 pounds of pulled pork covered in bbq sauce and served on a 1 pound Hawaiian sweet bread roll.  The challenger has 45 minutes to consume the entire meal.  Allegedly folks will drive from long distances to take on this challenge.

I skipped the Pigzilla and went for my typical first visit meal.  I ordered a barbecue pork sandwich and a small Brunswick stew.  The order came out quite promptly, and as evidenced in the picture, it had a very good appeal.  First, the stew.  The stew was a good mix of meat, sauces, and vegetables.  The color was appealing and the flavor was quite good.  There was a good mix of corn, tomatoes, potatoes, but some of my favorites such as okra or small butterbeans were scarce to non-existent.  Overall, though, I'd give the stew a good 3+ on a scale of 1 to 5.

The barbecue sandwich was ample in size.  The appearance was good, however, the meat was pre-sauced and the option of sauce on the side with several sauce options apparently doesn't exist.  There was sauce on the table for adding more to the meat, and I did that mainly to explore their sauce.  It was a good "middle of the road" sauce that wasn't too sweet nor too hot.  The barbecue as well gets a 3+, but frankly, it was really good.  

By the time that I was wrapping up my meal, the place had begun to fill.  You could tell this was a local favorite.  A couple of law enforcement groups showed up, loggers, farmers, old-timers, and even couples enjoing a mid-day barbecue adventure all showed up.  I paid my very inexpensive tab, and then continued my journey to Savannah.  

Given the variety on the menu, there are several more reasons why I'll stop in Metter again one day.  I can't wait to try a brisket order as well as their ribs.  In conclusion, though they are nothing much to look at from the outside, both Papa Buck's and Jomax come highly rated as a place to dine along the I-16 route to the Georgia coast.  

Heirloom BBQ Market, Atlanta, GA.

Heirloom BBQ Market, Atlanta, GA.  Just off I-285 on the "top end" is a little BBQ joint that has consistently received positive state and national rankings.  For most people in Georgia, it is a bit hard to get to, but the fact is, there are hundreds of thousands of people living almost within eyesight of the joint.  Not only are there hundreds of thousands of people, you can nearly see the top of the new Braves stadium from Heirloom.  It is worth the effort to find the place, and I am certain that the presence of the Braves just across the interstate will only increase this joint's popularity in Georgia.

Heirloom is unlike most any joint I've been to in Georgia.  While it is similar to some joints where you order when you walk in the place, the difference is that when you get your food, the only "eat in" option is to go stand up around one of several counters or round tables that are out on the patio.  When you get out there, you will likely find yourself dining with mostly men in everything from construction dress to business suits.  That's the thing about BBQ, it brings us all together regardless of income levels.

Being my first visit to Heirloom, I ordered my "first visit" normal of a pulled pork sandwich and Brunswick stew.  I started in on the stew that you can see in the picture.  It had great color, plenty of meat, and an almost perfect consistency that was neither "soupy" nor "hash"!  The stew was just hot enough to make my forehead feel like I was having a little heat, but not so hot that the taste was affected.  The portion size was more than adequate, and frankly, it could have served as my meal itself.

The BBQ sandwich was fantastic!  The pulled pork was clean but had enough bark to give it character.  The portion size was larger than normal, and it was served on a "better than normal" quality bun.  I tried the house sauce, which was just sort of a normal KC style sauce, and it complimented the sandwich nicely.  While not even eating the top of the bun with the sandwich, I was full before finishing the meal.  

Another unique offering of Heirloom is their "Jasmine Sweet Tea".  Now I am sure that my south Georgia sweet tea drinking purist friends won't find this that attractive, but the reality is that this was a really neat twist to the favored drink of the south.  

So, what's my rating and what could make it any better?  My rating is a 4.5 of 5.  That's pretty darn good considering all factors.  While I have no problem at all with the atmosphere, I would loved to have been able to had a sampling of their other sauces.  They may have been available, but if they were, they were well hidden.  Heirloom does have some other great entrees that I'll have to try on future visits including brisket, ribs, chicken, and a spicy/Korean style pork.  The pricing was a bit higher than most BBQ joints, but the reality is that the cost of doing business inside the perimeter is simply higher.  

All in all, this is a great place to try, and me and my colleagues at TRS will surely return.

Hot Thomas, Watkinsville, GA...It's Hot and a Top 10 in Georgia

Hot Thomas BBQ.  Watkinsville, GA. 


My best friends know I love barbecue and the sport of trying out places that I've never been before.  Today I was introduced to a true gem of a southern bbq joint.  I can't believe I hadn't found this place before.   Though it is off the beaten path, it is worth a drive to find and experience great barbecue, some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet, and be in the county that has what I consider one of the top school systems in Georgia.  Long time friend, Superintendent Dr. Jason Branch and I enjoyed some time of business both before, during, and after the bbq experience.  We headed out to Oconee County Commissioner Mark Thomas' farm and bbq joint with the promise that I would not be disappointed, especially if I sampled the chocolate pie.  As we parked in the gravel parking lot outside of this building that I'd guess is at least 50 years old, I noticed the "outdoor entry" to the bathroom.  I felt that was a great sign as to what I'd find inside!  We walked in and I was greeted with décor that reached back into generations in the Thomas family.  Old pictures, antiques, old soft drink bottles, and other nostalgic items were on all of the walls.  This is a walk up to the counter, place your order, and then they bring it to you kind of place.  Nothing fancy here except the food and the folks. 

I ordered a bbq sandwich, Brunswick stew, and OMG, chicken mull.  It had been a few years since I'd had chicken mull but had remembered that it was especially good, so I had to add that to my order as a side.  Jason and I chatted with the owner and his daughter who are just really fantastic examples of hard working, successful members of the Oconee County community.  Our food came out quickly enough, and the delight continued.  The stew is not the most visually appealing stew I've ever seen, but its taste was awesome.  It is more of a hash type of stew with awesome flavor.  Even before getting to the bbq, I had to sample the chicken mull.  Hot Thomas is known throughout the area for their mull.  For the uninitiated, chicken mull is a chicken type of stew made from boiled chicken, broth, milk, saltine crackers, and salt and pepper.  It is truly a great type of "stew".

Now to the barbecue.  Hot Thomas' bbq is probably the cleanest, most fat free bbq I've ever eaten.  You won't find an abundance of fat and bark in your bbq there, or at least that was what I experienced.  It was clean, flavorful, and sufficient quantity on the bun.  I especially liked their hot, ketchup based sweet sauce that was hot enough to feel but only complimented the flavor. 

For dessert, and yes, I did have dessert as my old childhood friend Zoe had suggested the chocolate pie.  Oh my!!!  It was a divine meal unparalleled in quite some time! 

Following the meal was another wonderful treat as Mark Thomas gave us a tour of the old cotton seed house, cotton gin, and parts of the Thomas farm property.  The place is used for special events such as weddings, political gatherings, and community events.  It's really much like stepping back in time some 40 years or so, and for a nostalgic old guy like me, it was a joy. 

Prompting this posting was not just my experience at the place today, but also that when I got home this evening, I ran across a web based posting of Georgia's top bbq joints.  Hot Thomas came in at number 9 among an all star list of places.  Most impressive and well deserved! 

Where There's Smoke, Meansville, GA

Where There's Smoke. One of the perks of having a job where I get to travel the entire state is that I get to visit new Bbq joints on a regular occasion.  Today gave me an opportunity to do just that, and it was a stop worth reporting. AJ and I decided to take the scenic route back from Gainesville. After missing a joint in Winder, we thought we'd find one in Monroe or Social Circle. That didn't pan out, and we'd about decided to just swing back through Flovilla to the original Fresh Air. As we slowed down going through Meansville, we saw today's stop. We made the quick decision to try it out.

We parked out back, right beside the smokehouse where the old style smoker was emitting the wonderful smell of Bbq enhanced smoke. Upon entering Where There's Smoke, it was much like stepping back in time 50 years!  The waitress was friendly enough and I quickly picked out my usual first joint visit order of a sandwich and stew. AJ got both a sandwich and a hamburger in order to see how the burger compared to our beloved Scott's in Cochran.  While waiting, I sampled spoonfuls of their 3 sauces:  original, South Carolina Mustard, and the first I'd ever tried Sweet Heat that was made with molasses.  Now that was a treat!

The orders came out quickly enough.  The sandwich had a great portion of attractive pulled pork. The stew had a good appearance, and it's taste did not disappoint. It wasn't too heavy with either potatoes or tomatoes.  The pork was awesome. I tried it with all 3 sauces and then just blended them all together.

Overall, I have to give both the pork and stew scores of 4.5 out of 5. As much as for any reason, this by chance finding was a gem that I hope to revisit some day.

Angel's BBQ. Savannah, GA

Angel's BBQ, Savannah, GA.


Summers in Savsnnah can be brutally hot. July 2015 was one of those summer months that was hotter than normal. I was there attending a conference, and the urge for bbq surged. A friend had told me about a little joint off of the beaten path in the historic district. I did a couple of google searches and figured the place must be Angel's.   I walked the nearly two miles in the sweltering heat hoping that the effort would be worth it.
I arrived dripping in sweat and made my way into the little joint that was old, small, and brimming with character. I ordered at the counter my typical BBQ sandwich and one side. They didn't have Brunswick stew, so I chose baked beans. The lady who took my order, the co-owner, told me she would bring me my order. I sat at the smallest of the three tables in the place. I filled up several small sauce cups with several types including a peanut sauce, sweet, Angel drops, and house.  I tasted them all, and honestly found each uniquely good. My order came out quickly. I sampled the beans. They were good. Can't say they were the best I had ever had, but they were certainly large in portion size.
The sandwich was very large in size. The pulled BBQ pork was was clean and had an attractive appearance. There was enough BBQ that I could try all the sauces as well as have it plain.
I chatted with the owners about their business and our love for BBQ. They shared that just yesterday they had celebrated their 10 year anniversary in business.
Angels is a bit hard to find. Not much to look at when you get there, but clearly a place you should try when in Savannah.

Barrelhouse BBQ - Lynchburg, TN.

Barrelhouse BBQ - Lynchburg, TN. 

 

The little town of Lynchburg exists largely in part to the presence of the Jack Daniels Distillery.  People from all over the world flock to this little rural, out of the way, town to tour what I guess is one of the world's largest distilleries.  Whether you drink Tennessee sippin whiskey or not, a tour of the distillery and a stroll through town is worth the effort if you are in south central Tennessee.  There are at least 3 little diners in town who proclaim they are bbq joints.  Each of the little joints appear to have their own little sense of character.  Barrelhouse has its own uniqueness.  This is a small little joint sitting down the hill from the main part of this one square town.  Even though it was a Saturday afternoon, it was somewhat disappointing that there was no obvious "meat smoking" going on while we were there.  The place had a good crowd in it and the waitress was very polite and helpful.  She took our order while we sat on the authentic Jack Daniels bar stools.  While waiting for our food, we sampled the sauces.  The mild was certainly the best, but it still had a little bit of bite.  The other two sauces were a bit more on the hot side including the hottest being one that contained ghost chili peppers. 

The Barrelhouse doesn't offer stew, so Debbie and I both had the slaw as a side.  The slaw was actually pretty good.  The sandwich was well portioned with sort of stringy pulled pork.  On a scale of 1 to 5, I can only give this pork a 3 on this given day.  The experience was fine as we found another little bbq joint gem in the south.  Oh, yeah, I should add that all of the sauces allegedly have a Jack base to them which gives them a bit of a unique taste, and one that really is worth experiencing.

 



Central BBQ - Memphis

Central BBQ - Memphis. 

Memphis, as we well know, is famous for BBQ.  We had never been to Memphis, so on this Valentines Weekend 2015, Debbie and I struck out for a nearly 500 mile ride to check out Memphis' bbq, blues, and attractions.  A few Google searches suggested that Central may be the best bbq joint in town.  So after sort of sifting through the options, Central was the choice.  Oh my...quickly to the point!  Best ribs ever!!!  We ordered a 3 meat plate that included pulled pork, brisket, and ribs.  The two sides we got were beans and slaw. 
Central BBQ is a quaint joint with several dining rooms.  It is located south of the main part of Memphis right across from the National Civil Rights Museum.  Just as had been the case at the previous day's bbq joint, you place your order at the counter as you walk in.  If you are not early, plan on standing in line.  Many from the area as well as tourists will stop in Central on any given day.  You can check the plate of food out in the picture, but oh my, quantity was awesome.  Now beans and slaw were good, but not of the "best ever" category.  The brisket was very, very good.  The sauces going with the meat range from a "warm" mild, to a very spicy mustard, a fairly "hot" hot, and a vinegar based sauce that would make North Carolinians proud.  Now I try to shoot straight on my blogs without being critical, so I'll basically say that the pulled pork was good and in fact above average.  The winner, and I mean by far, was the ribs.  We got an order that was half dry and half wet.  Oh my.  Seriously, these were  exceptional.  The meat was "fall off the bone."  While I think I do a pretty good job on ribs, these were perhaps the best I've ever had. 
So, when you go to Memphis, be sure you check out the ducks at The Peabody, you catch a little blues down on Beale Street, and by all means, find time to dine at Central BBQ which certainly gets my vote for one of the best and most unique joints ever.

Saw's BBQ - Birmingham

Saw's BBQ.  Birmingham, AL.  February 12, 2015.   Hidden in the southern suburb of Birmingham known as Homewood, Saw's BBQ is truly one of the best little joint's I've ever eat at! 

 

 

Debbie and I were on our way to Memphis, and Birmingham was a perfect spot to stop off for lunch.  The place is somewhat off of the beaten path, but many beat the path to get lunch their daily.  We got there before 11:30 (weird Alabama time) just before the crowd.  Before we finished our lunch, the crowd was out the door with many opting to go elsewhere.  This little joint features "walk up to the counter" type of service.  We placed our order of the typical first joint visit of a sandwich and stew.  Debbie, of course, opted for slaw as her side.  The place is well adorned with lots of University of Alabama memorabilia including pictures of Bear Bryant, Nick Saban, and every coach in between.  Our lunch was out fairly quickly.  It didn't take Debbie long to proclaim that "this is the best bbq I've ever had".  I was trying out the Brunswick stew while she was savoring the bbq.  The stew was pretty good, but I wouldn't rank it the best I've ever had.  It was a good looking stew with good color and consistency.  The taste was very good as well.  We got a side of Alabama white sauce with our bbq mainly because we seldom get that option in Georgia.  The bbq, as Debbie had said, was exceptional.  I would have bbq in two more well known joints over the next two days, and frankly, as good as they were elsewhere, to date, Saw's is surely one of the best I've ever had.  It's no wonder that the Birmingham area has voted Saw's best in the area!



12 Bones BBQ, Asheville, NC

12 Bones, Asheville.  Asheville, NC has long been one of my favorite cities.  While I found it beautiful during the summer of 1977 when I spent the summer there, in recent years it has undergone somewhat of a rejuvenation in the area of the arts and dining.  With mountains on every side, the amazing Biltmore House, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can find dozens of things to do in Asheville.  Of course, you know if I go there, we are going to check out BBQ!  We had done the usual Google search for Asheville's best BBQ, and after reviewing the reviews and menus www.12bones.com, it was decided that we would put 12 Bones on top of our to do list.  Upon arriving in the River Arts District, our GPS took us right to the place.  Frankly, I was a little taken aback in that the joint is just that, a rather old building in the old warehouse district near the river.  What was present, though, were a number of cars in the parking lot with a line all the way from the order counter to the door.

  Once in the place, we scoped out the order counter where a rather young and energetic crowd manned both the counter but the kitchen as well.  I placed my order of a bbq sandwich, baked beans, and collard greens.  To my delight, 12 Bones serves up Cheerwine soda (unique largely to NC), so we fixed our soft drinks and awaited our order.  The old joint was bustling with folks.  The food that the wait staff was bringing by insured us that we had made the right decision to try 12 Bones.  Within just a few minutes, our food arrived.  Oh my, as you can tell from Debbie's salad in the back ground and my plate in the foreground, the food proportions were large.  Debbie's salad came with pork, onion ring strings, and cornbread...and some of the best I've eaten in a while!
To get the salad out of the way, the only complaint Debbie had was that the salad dressing was rather spicy.  No doubt, though, there was more than enough food for one person on this salad plate.  The bbq was, well, just about the best I've had in a long time.  The meat was clean with just enough smoke taste.  The moisture content was perfect in that it was moist and not dry while being relatively lean and not fatty.  On a scale of 1 to 5, a 4.5 rating seems to be about right.  Truly among the best.  The beans, too, were fantastic.  With just enough chopped pork in the beans, they were flavorful with a hint of mustard in the base.  I can only rank the collards about average.  The appearance of them was fine.  They had a healthy (or maybe unhealthy that is) amount of pork in them, but somehow they didn't rank up there with the best that I had ever had.  12 Bones sticks true to a bbq joint menu.  You won't find catfish, hamburgers, or that kind of add on type of food.  You just find real bbq meats to include pulled pork, ribs, brisket, chicken, and smoked turkey.

12 Bones in the Press.  12 Bones has served up some very famous folks.  On at least two occasions, President Obama has dined at 12 Bones.  They have been featured in a number of magazine and newspaper articles for among other things some pretty impressive awards among the Asheville dining scene. As shown in the photo above, they've even been awarded the "Good Morning America's Best Bite Challenge" award.

In case you forget to pick up a bottle of 12 Bones BBQ Sauce while you are at the story, don't worry...you can find it in just about every little gift shop and other stores in Asheville.  The folks at 12 Bones have got to be making a killing on their (slightly pricey) sauce.  In regards to their sauces, their mainstay is a slightly sweet tomato based sauce that is thicker than you typically find in NC.  Their vinegar based sauce is about as thin as you'll find.  If my memory serves me correctly, their mustard based sauce really was top notch in both consistency, spiciness, and overall taste.

All in all, if you are going to Asheville, this is a "must do" stop.  At the river store, they are only open during the middle of the day on Monday through Friday.  Why not on Saturday and Sunday?  They flat don't have to be!!!  The business during the 5 or so hours a day they are open each day is clearly brisk enough to make the business a success.  I know there are a couple of other highly regarding bbq joints in Asheville, and I'll catch them next time, but there's no regrets for having chosen 12 Bones on this late June trip in 2013!

Dave Poe's BBQ, Marietta, GA.

Dave Poe's BBQ.  "Poe's is so redneck...ghetto."   For some reason or the other, I never think of Marietta, GA as being a place where you can find good bbq.  Truth is, that isn't the truth.  There are at least 3 allegedly outstanding bbq joints in the Marietta area including Williamson Brothers which is truly a winner.  In early June 2013, Debbie and I found another one:  Dave Poe's BBQ.  Deb had wanted a reason to ride over to Marietta to walk the downtown area.  I am always on a bbq mission, so I never protest checking out new bbq options.  The "Atlanta Magazine" recently did an article on the best q joints in the metro area and Dave Poe's made the list.

I've had to shrug my bias against bbq joints located in strip malls some years back.  I still sort of eschew that type of setting, but hey, not everyone can build or find a quaint structure (like Swallow at the Hollow) sufficient to house a bbq joint and make a go of it.  Location is highly important in the food industry.  We walk into Poe's shortly after 1 on a Saturday afternoon.  We stand in line behind approximately 10 customers who each place their order at the county.  The order taker clips the order to a "zipline" and sends it back to the food prep area.  Working the counter and greeting guests, even on a Saturday afternoon, is the founder of the joint, Dave Poe.  Poe works the diner pretty well stopping to see if the customers are happy and then from time to time delivering something needed by the diners.

We work through the line pretty quickly.  We are given our cups for our drinks and then wait for our number to be called out and then return to the counter to retrieve our food.  It is a low level of service, but the bbq clearly makes up for the difference.  Furthermore, the price of the food is reflected in the level of the "waitressing"!  Deb and I both ordered sandwiches.  My side items was Brunswick stew.  The sandwich came with a couple of dill pickles which is always a good thing.  Before I could even get into eating my meal, Debbie was telling me about the quality of hers.  Good coloring.  Smoky flavor.  After a couple of minutes of picture taking, I finally was into mine.  I took a couple of bites of the stew for starters.  Wow, it was really good.  Clearly it ranked a 4 (or better) out of 5.  It was smokey flavored, attractive in color, great taste, and with a nice residual taste.

Next came the BBQ.  The bbq was attractive in presentation with a good mix of light charring, darker smoke ring meat, along with some lighter inner portions.  It had a great smokey flavor and was about perfect in moisture content.  We both went on about the great flavoring of both the bbq and our sides.  Based on the number and type of customers in the joint on this Saturday afternoon, you could tell that Poe's is a popular place located about a mile outside of downtown Marietta.  The fact that Dave Poe gives it his personal attention and "works the crowd" really adds character to the place that would otherwise get lost as another place to eat in an old strip mall.

You can check out the menu for Dave Poe's BBQ at http://www.davepoes.com/.  Poe's apparently does a robust catering business, and I would understand why.  Poe's has been featured in several metro area and Georgia related magazines reflecting Dave's serious reputation as a bbq cook.  They've received some pretty high level reviews.  While it isn't necessarily either "that redneck" (like Fresh Air), that "ghetto" like Daddy Dz's), or your "ultimate dining experience", it is worth a stop if you are in the Marietta area.  I'm betting Poe opens up another place or two in due time as well as finds perhaps a more attractive facility than the strip mall.  Meanwhile, be sure to explore Poe's rendition of "Redneck Lasagna".  It looks more than awesome!

Cabin Creek BBQ, Nicholson, GA

Cabin Creek BBQ, Nicholson, GA.  "Nice Butts....Great Racks".  You have to love a BBQ joint that boasts such a little slogan on the cover of their menu.  The truth is, you will love Cabin Creek.  Cabin Creek had been recommended to Debbie and I some months back, but frankly, though being on a major 4 lane in North GA, this was a road and community that we had no reason to visit except for the fact that it was supposed to have some good bbq.  On this beautiful late winter day, Debbie and I decided to take off toward Nicholson and find out if Cabin Creek would live up to its recommendation. I had figured that doing a little shopping in Jefferson and Commerce areas would warrant me getting a bbq slip from Debbie.  After enjoying the charming little town of Jefferson and some of its really neat "small town" shopping venues, we headed over toward Nicholson.  We promptly found Cabin Creek.  I sort of new it would be a hit when in the parking lot were a dozen vehicles from autos, pickup trucks, and the local septic tank pumping company's service vehicle.  Located just about 15 minutes north of Athens toward Commerce, Cabin Creek is easily found and worth going a few miles out of the way to try it out.

We found Cabin Creek to be exceptionally clean.  The two waitresses were working hard, but we were waited on pretty quickly.  The menu was simple of enough.  After I got past enjoying the cover found above, my choices were quickly made.  I picked the bbq sandwich, slaw, and Brunswick stew while Debbie did almost the same except substituting baked beans for the stew.  There were only 3 sauce options:  Hot, Mild, and Vinegar.  I settled in on both the Hot and Mild.

Our meals came out pretty quickly and we could not wait to taste our food.  Everything pretty well passed the "appearance" test.  The bbq had a really nice appearance while the stew and beans were just average in appearance.  Make no mistake though, both the beans and stew were exceptional in taste.  They were both surprisingly outstanding.  It was obvious that the beans had been juiced up with brown sugar, and they were clearly some of the best baked beans I've had.  I'd clearly give the stew a 4.5 out of 5.  What it lacked in appearance, it made up for in taste.  The stew was so wonderful I chatted with our waitress about it to get some details of the recipe.  I think the key to their Brunswick stew was that first, it contained ground beef, pork and chicken as wel as the fact that the base was "stock" from all three.  As indicated, the appearance was just average, but this is some seriously good stew.

Debbie and I differed a little on the bbq.  She'd have liked to have seen a little less fat and a little more charring.  To me, it was about perfect.  The bbq had a great smoky taste.  It was moist and pulled in nice sections that fit well on the bun.  There was no "chopping to smitherines" but just nice sections of perfectly pulled pork.  While it wasn't necessary to go heavy on the sauce, I did try both the Hot and Mild sauce varieties.  My rating of the bbq will sit at 4.5 out of 5.  Portion size could have been a little better, but other than that, this place is a hit.  Though we passed on desserts, Cabin Creek offers home made offerings of their dishes to include banana pudding.

Cabin Creek BBQ does a few things that are particularly interesting, nice, or different.  First of all, there is one entree' that as a South Georgia native, I was not familiar with, and that is Chicken Mull.  Chicken Mull is offered by Cabin Creek during the winter months only.  The "mull" is a chicken soup type of dish that is apparently common mostly to the Northeast Georgia Mountain area.  I've attached the following link for those who want to know more about Chicken Mull!  http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-3394.  Additionally, Cabin Creek does serve beef brisket, so for those who will drive for miles hunting good brisket, Cabin Creek offers this great bbq offering.  Finally, from time to time (to include for the remainder of March), Cabin Creek will offer "all you can eat" bbq meals on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Cabin Creek offers catering as well as to go purchases in various sizes of their menu items.  Owned by  Randy and Teresa Kesler, this business is a local hit.  If you are planning your UGA game day tailgate, placing an order with Cabin Creek would surely make your event a big hit.  Whether or not we make it back over to Cabin Creek anytime in the near future is not certain, but I am glad that I found this gem of a northeast Georgia bbq joint.  I offer the strong recommendation to check out the menus, and entree's, at Cabin Creek BBQ in Nicholson, GA.

J's Southern Smoke BBQ, Cumming, GA.

   

J's Southern Smoke BBQ.  Cumming, GA

From Scoutmob:  It takes a little more than a pair of tongs, a snarky apron and singed eyebrows to become a tried-and-true southern barbecuer. Micah, the master-'que behind J's Southern Smokehouse, was naturally gifted with impeccable smoker skills of the highest order.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Js-Southern-Smoke/383003461583

During the past (almost) 6 years that we have lived in Cumming, there have been some good bbq restaraunts come and go.  Notably those coming and being successful have been Jim 'n Nick's, Cue, Smokejack, and even a new Dickie's.  The current longest continuous operating bbq joint is Slopes.  Now there is a new little joint which certainly qualifies as a mom and pop little place.  J's, by nature of the competition mentioned above, has its work cut out for it; however, based on my own experience and some outstanding reviews on such sites as urbanspoon http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/9/1645795/restaurant/Atlanta/Js-Southern-Smoke-Cumming they may just be able to find a niche in the competitive food service business.

Some weeks back, my and Chris Grimes decided to check out J's.  I had heard some good comments from a couple of my co-workers, so the day came for us to give it a try.  J's is located in what was once an old bank.  (I'm glad we can recycle banks into bbq joints!  What better use!)  Though small on the inside, the place was very clean, well decorated, and qualified as a "quaint little joint."  At J's, you order at the counter, fix your drink, find a seat, and then they bring you your meal.  A pretty common routine for a joint of this nature.  Chris and I ordered our meals, and they came out pretty quickly which is always a good way to start.  As is my typical order for a first time visit, I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and the Brunswick stew.  Here's for your viewing pleasure!

 
This is what pulled pork is meant to be!  The meat was moist but clean.  It was moderately smokey with light charring (which works for me).  As you can tell in the picture, there is an ample quantity on the large piece of toasted bread.  J's gives you enough sauce choice for things to be interesting including a South Carolina style mustard based sauce.  The stew was excellent.  Again, the picture shows really great coloring with a taste that matches.  It is not too hot but spicy enough.  It has a great blend between the meat and vegetable mix. 

For a small q joint, J's has a good menu mix.  Yes, he's got brisket, pork, ribs, chicken, and a reasonable mix of sides.  Some have complained that the price point may be a touch on the high side, but I certainly think it is competitive compared to some of the larger competitors. 

All in all, we'll give J's at least a 4 out of 5 star ranking until it either earns an bump either way.  The food business is tough.  Having a good business plan (like Jim 'n Nick's) is critical.  Being in the right location is essential.  J's has good food.  Time will tell if the other ingredients to success are there.  Certainly, the BBQ is worth checking out.  I have every plan to head back to see them in the near future. 

Cash's Smoke House BBQ, Franklin, NC

Cash's Smoke House BBQ, Franklin, NC.  "Where the Locals Go!"  Franklin is a beautiful small town in the southern part of the North Carolina.  It is only about 15 minutes or so north of the Georgia border, and it really has something of the feel of "older" North Carolina.  Franklin really got added to my "go to" list a couple of years ago when one of my old Cochran friends, Ben Dykes, shared that he and Sammy Haupt frequently drove up there searching for bargains.  Knowing Ben and Sammy, there had to be good bargains there to get their endorsement!!!  With a couple of really good antique malls and a few good antique stores, we've found some good deals over the past several years.  Franklin is certainly less "touristy" than Highlands and some other towns, and while it has its share of franchise type dining establishments, it has at least one bbq joint worth checking out.  On the south side of Franklin is the Whistle Stop Antique Mall.  Right behind the mall you'll find Cash's. 

This is truly a mom and pop operation.  On this particular Saturday, we found Michael and Amy Cash running the joint.  Ms. Cash was taking orders at the window while Michael was tending to fixing the plates and keeping his eye on the bbq that was in the small, commercial type smoker.  Debbie had been wanting a bbq sandwich with slaw on it for some reason, and that is an entree that is available at Cash's.  I ordered the bbq sandwich and Brunswick stew which most of my readers will know is my typical first visit order.  The food was up and out to us in a quick minute.  There's no real dining in available at Cash's, but there is an "enclosed" room that you can sit in if you want.  This particular January day, though, the weather permitted us to eat outside at one of their tables.

Both Debbie and I loved our sandwiches.  The meat was tender, moist, and sufficient in quantity.  The Brunswick stew was also better than average stew.  The color of the stew was attractive, its taste was rich with sufficient pork in the stew, and it consistency was excellent.  There was just enough meat in the stew to add both flavor and texture.  We tried out Cash's various sauces..only three if my memory serves me correctly.  The "hot and sweet" sauce ended up being our favorite.  Though I'll always try the typical NC vinegar sauce, it still isn't one of my favorites.

All in all, this place is winner.  Friendly service by two seemingly very nice people.  The food is excellent, and the prices are fair.  While I might could go higher, this little joint certainly gets at least a 4 and the 5 point scale.  We'll do Cash's again, but meanwhile, if you know of any other bbq joints we have to hit in NC, drop me a line!!!  So, if you are on the Georgia side of the border, Oinkers in Clayton is a recommended stop.  If you miss that stop and really want barbecue, ride on up through Dillard and into Franklin, NC.  There are a couple of potential options for barbecue in Franklin that will keep you satisfied while the misses has you walking row after row of antique booths!!!

Smok' n Pig, Macon, GA

The Smok' n Pig, Macon, GA. "Peace, Love, and the Smok' n Pig! OK, this blog may well "shuck a few things down to the cob". Being a Macon native, I guess I feel a bit like I can just say it like I see it. I grew up in Macon through some of the most tumultuous times in its history. We had the Allman Brothers Band, Machine Gun Ronnie Thompson as Mayor, the smell of the paper mill, educational desegregation, local governmental corruption, and the completion of the Macon Mall in the mid 1970's. As I see it, it was the survival of the fittest. Macon was not really a great place to live based on my experience and though my mother and sister continue to live there, I have never felt inclined to return to this beautiful and historical city. Honestly, Macon and Bibb County has never emerged to be the true jewel that it could be in my opinion. I continue to believe that the best thing that Warner Robins and Houston County have going for them is that they are right beside Macon. One thing that Macon has, though, that sets them apart from pretty much the rest of the state is some of the dang best barbecue joints you can find anywhere. The Q joints in Macon run gamut too! You've got the historic and phenomenal Finchers, Satterfields, JL's, Fresh Air, Georgia Bob's, and now.... OMG, The Smok' n Pig!!! Oh my! The Smok' n Pig's first location was in Valdosta. When our daughter Laura was a student at VSU I had my first taste of the Pig. The owners, as I understand it, had been in the food business for a number of years with their "Ole Times Country Buffet" business in south Georgia. I was blown away with the Valdosta location when we first ate there perhaps four years ago. The Valdosta location of the Pig had me saying that it was the best bbq joint in true south Georgia. I still feel that way. In fact, Smok'n Pig has been voted in the the top 10 bbq joints in the country, and you won't get any disagreement from me! When I got word that they had recently opened a location in Macon, I was like major thrilled!!! I began the machinations of "how can I get by there as quickly as I can and not make it appear that the only reason that I am going to Macon from north Georgia is to eat bbq?" Of course, I agreed to drive Debbie down to Macon to visit with our great friend Evelyn Ann Turner, and then I would go get my mother and take her out to lunch....to eat bbq of course. It worked like a charm!!! So, daughter Laura and I dropped Debbie off to visit with the girls, and we drove over to pick up my mother. We wasted no time helping her into the car and drove over to the old Macon Mall where the Pig is located. I really didn't know what to expect as I didn't know if it was in the mall or a stand alone or what. The old Macon Mall has seen its better days, and a number of the stores have shut down. Believe me, though, the Pig is going to help reverse that trend. They've taken what must have been at least 7 of the smaller store areas and opened them up into what is honestly the largest bbq joint I've ever been in. I"m guessing you could seat 300 folks in this place easily. The good thing is they've done it up nicely on both the outside and and inside. The outside, as you can tell by the picture, is done up in faux log decor with some bbq markings. The inside is even done better. The place is clean, and I mean really clean. I was really surprised and impressed. The owners of this place know the food business and they know customer service. We were seated quickly, we had a nice friendly waitress named Morgan who attended to our ever need except for wiping our faces with the roll of paper towels on the table. We ordered our food and it was, just like Morgan told us it would be, out in just a few minutes. All of us pigged out on the pork sandwich. Laura got hers with slaw on it along with fried (knock your socks off) okra and baked beans. Gigy got the sandwich, slaw, and sweet potato stuff! (I still can't spell souffle!) I had to get the sandwich along with an order of Brunswick stew and okra. Oh my....what a moment. The portion sizes, except for the stew, were above average. The appearance of the food (I think they call that "presentation") was excellent right there on that red and white checkered piece of paper lining the basket! I am serious, this was good all the way around!!! Let me start with the okra. Now I like doing fried okra just about as much as I do eating bbq. I've had good and I've had bad. The okra was pretty awesome. I don't quite give it a 5 on the 5 point scale, but it isn't far from it. The stew, though the portion size was a bit small, is a really good stew with a nice mix of pork, whole kernel corn, English peas, tomatoes, onions and whatever else they have in it. As with the okra, I can't say it was the absolute best I've ever had, but it would suffice for my last meal on earth if it came down to it. Now, the bbq was divine. If you've read a few of my blogs you know I usually try to be generous but if it is bad, I'll shoot straight with you. If it is good, I'll ring the bell!!! Folks, Smok'n Pig is a bell ringer for sure. Portion sized was awesome. The bbq was clean. The meat was pulled compared to being chopped to smitherines like a few places do it, and the sauce was on the side. Thank you Pig!!! OK, on the 5 point scale.....5. All the way around, this is good bbq. No pun intended, but me, mom, and Laura pigged out. It was truly "pig-a-licious"!!! We finished our meals and I paid up and got out of there without feeling like I'd been held up or robbed despite the fact that I was at the Macon Mall!!!! For those who don't know, the Macon Mall is not necessarily a low crime area, but it sure beats "the Peach Orchard" part of town! My Macon friends recognize that the old mall is really a suburb of "bird city", but I'll leave that to you to figure out. I was so thrilled with our experience, as I left I purchased 6 bottles of their sauce including some of their Southern Mustard, Hot'n Spicy, as well as Original flavors. Their sauces are among the best I've ever had. Chances are if you are one of bbq buddies you'll probably end up with one of these bottles as a gift in the near future! I was even in such a happy mood that I shelled out 12 bucks for a tie died t shirt that proclaimed "Peace, Love, and The Smok'n Pig" and gave it to Laura. I loved the shirt but figured the tie died format probably didn't do much for my masculinity! I've got to wrap this blog up, the Smok'n Pig is for real. This joint, though it really doesn't qualify as a joint, is going to put someone in the food business out of business. There were way too many old folks and people in uniform that were at this place on this day, and Pig folks have a really proven business model. The bottom line is the Smok'n Pig gets a 5 out of 5. The worst thing about it is if you are not in the Macon Mall area you've just got to face the task of getting to that part of town. Otherwise, you are fully blessed being in Macon because you can get good barbecue whatever side of Macon you are on with what I will proclaim as "Macon, the BBQ Capitol of Georgia!!!" http://www.smoknpig.com/