When we first invited barbecue addicts to write to Sky, we were flummoxed by the response, as I’ve mentioned earlier on this blog: http://www.delta-sky.com/cueconfessions/reader-recommendations/
Since the June issue when we again invited you to write in and add to the growing list of Reader Barbecue Recommendations (http://delta-sky.com/2008_07/bbq/), True Cue has once again been flooded by enthusiastic emails. What I love is the umbrage and sometimes downright outrage that arises from the true-cue addict when he or she discovers that our readers somehow haven’t heard about some little hole in the wall in a remote part of these United States. And that’s what this blog is all about — sharing spots that you’d otherwise miss if there weren’t a community of barbecue lovers. Here’s just a sampling:
• Dear True Cue,
As I await for my BWI to ATL flight I happen to notice on the header of Sky
Magazine “Barbeque Addicts.” I can’t wait to see what is truly America’s
best ribs touted in your article. To my great dismay not only is Fat
Matts in Atlanta not proclaimed the #1 rib in the U.S., but you say there is
no such thing as the “Best Rib Joint.” Then I realize this could only mean
one thing, you have never entered the hollowed grounds of what is certainly
the ribs that will cause you to never want another rib imitator again.
I hesitated to let you and any others know of this “hog heaven” as the
crowds are already starting to make getting a place to sit and enjoy my
feast, but I felt obligated to being you to your senses. I can tell you are
a true lover of America’s greatest gift to the world, BBQ, so I felt
obligated to let you in on Atlanta’s little secret.
Enjoy!
Mark Adamson
• I’m sitting on a delta flight to atlanta and just read the barbecue addicts article in the sky magazine . . . I spent 4yrs in richmond, va, and had quite a few meals at the houndstooth cafe in hanover, va. This is a little cottage house about 20 miles outside richmond where on a weekend evening we’d drink bottles of beer on the porch waiting an hour+ to get in. Pickup trucks and bmws sharing the small lot. The pulled pork and hush puppies were my favorite… But one had to save room for the homemade derby pie.
I haven’t lived in richmond since ’99 but recently justified a business trip to richmond and forced my group to go there for dinner. Everyone loved it, so I feel I can still recommend it.
Mike Carroll
• You don’t need to head to Austin or Memphis to find the world’s best barbecue. Instead, just hop on a plane to South Korea for the acclaimed Poolside Barbeque at Grand Hyatt Seoul.
The city’s favorite outdoor dining spot provides diners with a romantic setting, overlooking sparkling blue waters, scenic gardens and breathtaking night views of the city. Diners can experience the Poolside Barbeque’s daily catch of ocean-fresh seafood, including prawns, lobsters and sea snails, along with a selection of prime lamb, beef, chicken and sausages, all charcoal-grilled to perfection. http://www.seoul.grand.hyatt.com
Cheers,
Stacey
• I’m a pilot for Delta and get a chance to try barbecue places all over the country. Here are my absolute favorites (in order):
Whole Hog Cafe – Little Rock, AR
Corky’s BBQ – Memphis, TN
Dinosaur BBQ – Syracuse, NY and Rochester, NY
Jim and Nicks – Birmingham, AL
Neely’s BBQ – Memphis, TN
• Your list is missing the best BBQ in Los Angeles – Dr. Hoggly Woggly’s Tyler Texas BBQ. They say the beef ribs here come straight out of Jurrasic Park.
• Back Yard Barbeque in Jacksonville, Oregon
The beef ribs are succulent, meaty, flavorful and tender without being at all mushy. The smoked flavor is mouthwatering—even driving by the restaurant at night, well after closing, makes one’s mouth water as the smoked meat fragrance lingers over this historic little town.
Joe and Cathy Broom
• Hi True Cue
Check out Memphis Minnie’s BBQ in San Francisco – great slow smoked brisket & pork – fabulous ribs; greens and slaw that a vegetarian would love..and made from scratch sweet potato and pecan pies …not to mention the banana puddin’ …yum
(just picked up the blog article in Delta Skylight magazine – on my way home from Lafayette, LA and places south.)
Minnie’s is in the “Lower Haight” – between Steiner & Filmore Streets. check it out!
thanks!
• The assertion that there is a “best” barbeque is too absolute for true connoisseurs of the fine art of barbeque. Much like art and music, there are many forms of excellence. Barbeque can be, however, assessed in a very binary way. There is GREAT barbeque and there is everything else. Great barbeque can be had in many places and in many forms: for instance, Henry’s Smokehouse in Simpsonville, SC has great smoked pulled pork with a claim for the “leanest butt in town”. One would be hard pressed to find better. Just down the road in the same area is Charlie’s Bar-b-que which is also great, but with a slightly different taste. Then there’s Railhead barbeque in Ft. Worth which has unbelievable (i.e. great) beef brisket.
Bar-b-que has many forms and many flavors but, it’s either great or it’s not (kinda like lukewarm water). One other corrolary in the world of Bar-b-que, I have yet to find great bar-b-que at any national or regional chain restaurant, even those that specialize in the artform.
After going to school in East Tennessee, I was spoiled with the best barbeque in the country. Dixie Barbeque, The Firehouse Restaurant, and Ridgewood Barbecue are some of the local favorites in the Johnson City, Tennessee area. They are hard to beat- a part of true southern tradition (“pork, the other white meat”). Here are the links to these excellent bbq restaurants:
Dixie Barbeque http://www.dixiebarbeque.com/
The Firehouse Restaurant http://www.thefirehouse.com/
Ridgewood Barbecue- I could not find a website for Ridgewood, but found this site with reviews and the restaurant location information:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=446
Also, when I was in East Texas, I was introduced to excellent beef bbq (they do not serve pork) at Bodacious Bar-B-Q in Longview. Here is a review link, with the restaurant address information as well (I could not find a website location for them either):
http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=18786529
Enjoy!
Walt
• Just finished a month-long trip to Florida from Orange County, CA. In Ft. Myers I was referred by the hotel desk to Famous Dave’s BBQ. Liked the ribs and chicken so much went back on a second day. Only after I got home did I find out that they have locations throughout the US, including two of them not more than 25 miles from my home!
But there is a smaller group of BBQ restaurants, called Lucille’s that is limited to Los Angeles and Orange County, CA locations.
Lucille’s has a website at http://www.lucillesbbq.com We eat at the one in Brea. Food is fantastic, place is always mobbed no matter what time of day or night. I love my ribs smoked, without a sauce, except for the one they cook it in, and falling off the bone. No added sauce on top. Gives me the best chance to really taste the meat the way it was prepared. Sauce is usually either on the table or I ask for it on the side.
Chuck Rosen
• With Delta being an Atlanta based airline, I am embarrassed that Sky would overlook Daddy Dz only two blocks from the “Gold Dome.” Daddy Dz (http://www.daddydz.com/ ) has the following credits:
– Creative Loafing Critics Choice rates Daddy Dz as “The Best BBQ in Atlanta”
– Atlanta’s only BBQ restaurant featured on the “Food Network”
– Picked by USA Today as “The best place to eat”
– Rated “Number One” by the New York Times
– Rated “Best Ribs” by Atlanta Magazine
– Featured in “Good and Cheap” by the Atlanta Constitution
– Featured in Rolling Stones Magazines
I’m sorry your article missed this spot. I hope that you don’t personally make the same mistake.
Regards,
Jim
• Starnes BBQ in Paducah, KY rules!
• Hi TC,
I really enjoyed reading the latest Q & A in the June SKY magazine. I, like you, are a barbeque aficionado, and had to journey away from home and be open minded when it comes to the “best barbeque”. Here are some of my favorites that I hope you can visit and enjoy:
Dreamland-Started in Tuscaloosa and spread to other parts of Alabama and the Atlanta area. I frequent the Roswell, GA location. Get the pork ribs, they are awesome either wet or dry.
Fresh Air Barbeque-Jackson, GA-Best chopped pork sandwich and the sauce is incredible.
Fincher’s-Macon, GA-Great pulled pork sandwich with yummy cole slaw perfect for a “pig special” sandwich (barbeque and cole slaw on toasted bread). Their sauce is also great.
Old Brick Pit-Chamblee, GA-very similar to Fresh Air in Jackson.
Old Clinton Barbeque-Gray, GA (just outside Macon)
I hope these suggestions help. I look forward to hearing how much you liked each one.
Bruce Thigpen
• Yes, after 28 years of travel you get the opportunity to come across some good BBQ joints all over the country. I am a pork bigot but do love a good beef brisket from Texas, or some burnt ends from KC. If you like Brunswick stew and crackling corn bread, you need to go to Harold’s in Atlanta.
If you ever are headed to some place in GA, let me know and I will recommend the best local BBQ establishment. But, you probably know most of them.
Take care and have a great weekend!
Bruce
• The Antley’s BBQ in Orangeburg SC serves up some of the finest BBQ with mustard based sauce. Also one of the best hash on rices you’ll find anywhere since the revered Mr. Duke died (Dukes BBQ.) A legend in himself. Hooks in Greenville,Al is good for Alabama. Thanks..Woody
• White Swan in Smithfield, NC has the best BBQ…Check us out on the web @ http://www.whiteswanbarbeque.com <http://www.whiteswanbarbeque.com>
• My wife and I were looking for a quick lunch while in Sedona last week and a nice woman at an information both sent us to the Bistro Bella Terra Restaurant in the Shops at Pinon Point, 1 North Highway 89 A Sedona, AZ Phone 1-928-203-7771
We both ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich, smaller size and really were surprised that it was a great BBQ sandwich in the west. Just the right amount of flavorings. Wow.
Rick and Loretta Porvaznik
• Stickey fingers, charleston,sc
It’s fantastic.
Paul Gour
• You should try Darrell’s Bar B Que in the little out of the way town in Rockwell, NC. It’s better than a lot of the better known places in Lexington, just smaller and stuck out of the way. The best NC style BBQ in my not so humble opinion!
Mitch Rowland
• I enjoy your articles in the Sky Magazine about the Cue as I’m from NC and have eaten some of the best between Bridges in Shelby (by the hospital, not on Hwy 74, but it is OK if you need a Q fix and the other one is closed), Short Sugars, Parkers, etc. Recently I encountered a new place in Jacksonville, FL, MoJo’s on University Blvd and it has several nice selections based on NC and Texas Q that I would put in the very good category (excellent meat and no sause is needed). Give MoJo’s a try if you are in the area and the NC pull pork shoulder is a good choice. It comes with a small red slaw and two sides for about $8. Keep writing.
Ray A. Parker
• OK, I have a spot! In Frederick MD there sits a blue truck on the side of the road. I tell you it’s the best pulled pork I have ever had and I’ve had my share-and I know fries aren’t BBQ, but they are addicting. Actually, they call them “crack fries.” I never swayed from the pit beef until the owner told me to try the ribs. For about two months I never swayed from the ribs until he told me to try the pulled pork, now after trying everything I always go back to the pulled pork. Oh, the brisket-Just go! I can’t stop this addiction. You need to go when you’re in the area. They are expanding but plan on keeping the blue truck. I noticed the Buffalo Trace add, In Roanoke they have a restaurant with 80 bourbons. Just wanted to let you know! Q on!!!!!!!
Kimberly
• You have all the best in GA on your list!!!! I was in Asheville last week, if you get a chance to get to 12 bones–Go!!! They have great ribs!!!
“When you meet someone else who loves BBQ -It’s like talking to an old friend right away!!”
-Bob Herndon President Atlanta BBQ
atlbbqclub@yahoo.com
• It amazes me that people fly into NC expecting BBQ, but Raleigh-Durham International Airport doesn’t have any!
Jonathan C Lee
• Hey True –
If Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que (with not 1 but 2 locations in Terminal B of the Memphis airport) is not on your list, it should be. The chopped shoulder sandwich with a smidgen of slaw and a dollop of their special sauce was just the ticket for two weary travelers on their way home from California.
• earl quicks bbq
1007 merriam lane
kansas city ks 66103
913-236-7228
quicksbbqandcatering.com
best ribs and chili dogs i had in the whole state
• Pigs R’ Us is doing a real nice job with Q in Martinsville – fantastic ribs, too. Nice folks.
melvin bessinger’s bbq
538 folly rd
charleston sc 29412
843-762-0511
also located at
925 houston northcutt blvd
mt pleasant sc 29464
843-881-0549
both should be listed in complete guide to south carolina bbq.
• First – I see Moonlite in Owensboro, Ky is already on your list – so I can
only second that motion. They have a variety of BBQ. Mutton is something
Kentucky BBQ is known for – and they have that and it is good if you like
mutton – but they also have Beef and Pork on their buffet – which is what I
go for – among other things (I think ribs and chicken too). If you do
make it there, however, – you do need to try the Burgoo Soup – different –
but good. If you go on the weekend you will also get Catfish and and
Shrimp and other seafood as well – so if you want to save room for just the
‘cue – better be disciplined or go on a weekday.
Second – I see Bodacious BBQ in Arlington, TX is not on your list – good
Briskit and Sausage. They have other offerings – but if you go there –
that is what you want. Nothing fancy here. Not far from where the new
Texas Stadium is being built – that may turn them into a gold mine – I just
hope it does not change the food.
Third – I always make a point of hitting Westwood BBQ in Hartsville South
Carolina whenever I pass through. This is shredded BBQ – but they offer
both the “vinegar” base and “mustard” base. A few other things there. Is
a little mom and pop hole in the wall – but I like it.
Fourth – This is getting a little out of “traditional” BBQ territory – but
there is a little town in Iowa called Boone (yes – this is where the term
“Boone-Docks” originated – no – really). It is about 15 minutes directly
west of Ames. There is a little BBQ downtown -they make a shredded BBQ
that is very good on sandwiches. It is sauced up – but makes a good,
sloppy, messy sandwich. If you get close to the region and start asking
for BBQ’s – people will likely direct you to Hickory Park – but that is in
Ames – the one I am talking about is a little small place in Boone.
Well as you can tell – I travel a lot and like BBQ. I live in Cinci – and
pretty much have to make my own BBQ to stave off my cravings when at home.
The Montgomery Inn here in Cinci makes great ribs – but ribs is not my
thing.
• I would add The Brick Pit in Chamblee, Deans in Jonesboro, and Sprayberry’s (the original one in Newnan) to that list of real good barbeque in Georgia. I am unable to pass these without purchasing a pork sandwich at least. If you desire more specifics, or a review, let me know. I’m always happy to share good barbeque with others. Regards, Craig
• I rely on your BBQ directory and thought you should know the following:
As a New Yorker it is a right of passage to go East (The Hamptons) as much as you can from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Its all about the beach and its all about the food. It was always about the lobster rolls and oysters until an unexpected stroke of luck last summer – Townline BBQ. My craving for summer seafood made an unexpected 180 and went to the smoky side. Townline BBQ is as authentic as it gets from the ribs to the brisket to the SWEET sweet tea. They get it right and they do it with the type of service you would hope to receive.
I still crave the raw bar, but I’ll take a Townline pulled pork sandwich over it any day.
Vincent
• Jim n Nicks BBQ – outstanding!!!
The company started in Birmingham, AL and I have personally eaten, many times, at the location in SanDestin, FL. SanDestin is a popular destination for MANY travelers on Delta, by the way!!!!
Jim n NIcks prepare all of their own food from scratch..and put their meats on the smoker every day 365 days a year. Nothing is frozen, etc.
They have restaraunts in AL and GA also, but I bet a story on the restaraunt in SanDestin wouldn’t hurt in the next Sky magazine that featured our FL Gulf Coast as a destination!!
Denny Tutwiler
• Add to the list:
Sprayberry’s BBQ in Newnan, GA
http://www.sprayberrysbbq.com/
• Originally from Atlanta, Ga Tech and the Varsity, but lived all over the South and found great Bar-B-Q…then moved to Denver…took a while, best so far is a small place in Englewood (I25 south to Araphahoe Rd)…Jabo’s Bar B Q.
Here’s more info:
http://denver.citysearch.com/review/37382056
If you make it to Denver, shouldn’t miss it.
H Young
• My entry to your blog is about a place in Putney and Chester, VT, Curtis’ All American BBQ and Restaurant. The Putney cookery is an out doors place open only in the Spring through Fall and located at Exit 4 off I-91. The Chester location is a restaurant just opened last year, but using the same recipe as the Putney location. The restaurant is located on Rt. 103 as you enter into the town of Chester, VT. DAD set up the original.
They have several BBQ sauces which they sell. From my 2 experiences with them, the sauces could be very good, if they were on a better cue. The pulled pork I had at the Puney location was tough and dry. It lacked a good smoked flavor and this is probably due to the fact Curtis was burning the meat over an open grill, flaming away.
In Chester, they have a smoker which is going all afternoon when they are open. The ribs looked delicious and fell off the bone as you tried to eat them. Unfortunately, once again the meat was dry and a bit tough. Even though they had the smoker, that deep smoked flavor was lacking.
They say give a place at least 2 tries to see if it was just a bad day or experience, but I am not sure I wish to return. Since the Restaurant is in its first year I will probably give it another try. Should I have a different experience, I would be sure to let you know.
Tried several while we were in Florida. Sonny’s was not that good, either for baby backs or chicken. Also tried a chain called Woody’s. Very disappointing for chicken and baby backs.
There’s one small chain here in So. Cal. that people rave about and there is always a line waiting to get it, Wood Ranch BBQ, based out of Woodland Hills. Very upscale in appearance and not a ‘ranchie BBQ’ decore. We have eaten at two of them, Anaheim Hills and Cerritos. Chicken is good, but the baby backs were terrible from my prospective. As I said before, I like them smoked and falling off the ribs. Theirs are like to many others, firm meat and have to tear it off with your teeth and not smokey at all.
As for others in So. Cal, we have a number of them here in Orange County. Never truly happy with any of them except Lucille’s, but will re-test and send you results.
Chuck Rosen
Oh, year . . . forgot – esp. since you judged Jack Daniels contest.
Went to the distillery several years go and fell in love with Jack Daniels. Drink their Gentleman Jack now, but love to cook with Jack Daniels original. (Gentleman Jack is the same formula and taste as regular Jack, but with far less bite. The only difference is that they filter it through 12 or 16 feet of maple charcoal rather than the usual 6 or 8 feet. Takes twice as long to drip through before they can barrel it for aging, but removes a lot of bite and leaves the taste. Also it’s only a buck or two more per bottle.) Don’t confuse it with their Single Barrel bottlings. Completely different story and did not impress me for the extra money.
Anyway, as you probably know there are a lot of restaurants now cooking with Jack Daniels. Some good, some not so good. Friday’s restaurant chain seems to have mastered the flavor on both their ribs, baby backs and chicken. They also add a little heat to it with chili’s which I don’t care too much for. Not ‘falling off the bone’ as I like it, but truly good flavor. My samplings have come from their restaurants in Yorba Linda, CA (my town) and nearby Brea.
Chuck Rosen
• King Ribs – Indianapolis, IN
Several locations in Kansas City
http://www.hoggys.com/
Several locations in Columbus, Ohio
Jl’s Bar-B-Q
3 1/2 S Mill St
Pryor, OK 74361
Phone: (918) 825-1829
Neely’s Barbeque
http://www.neelysbbq.com/home.htm
670 Jefferson
Memphis , Tennessee 38103
M & M Catering (sometimes known as Big Daddy Riches)
7409 Middlebrook Pike
Knoxville, TN 37909
• B and C Creations is a Wichita hideout for great Cue. I travel every other
week for weeks at a time. And this is the place. Get there early though,
the line goes out the door on a regular basis.
Thomas Anderson
Cue Confessions 