Posted on February 25, 2013 by Porky LeSwine
Perhaps taking an, ahem, cue from the evil regional foodways-destroying giant good folks at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, North Carolina’s own Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q is looking to push its pulled pork beyond the state’s borders. The company, which features more than 30 locations across the Tar Heel State, decided recently to sell franchises in other states. Displaced North Carolinians, this could be your chance to bring a taste of home to whatever God forsaken land you live in–Utah, New York, TEXAS!
Notably, Smithfield’s is expanding beyond the state’s borders under the awkwardly-acronymed name SCNB CHICKEN ‘N BAR-B-Q. It sounds like the latest boy band to me, but what do I know? Presumably the town of Smithfield didn’t test well in market research. Oh well.
Best of luck to Smithfield’s, SCNB, NKOTB (New Kids Offering the Barbecue) or whatever identity they settle on. Go out there and show America what North Carolina barbecue is like! (Or at least what a mainstream facsimile of NC barbecue is like.)
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | 2 Comments »
Posted on February 5, 2013 by Porky LeSwine
New in Durham, wood burners…
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | 9 Comments »
Posted on December 3, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge ranks high (very possibly first) on my fairly short list of barbecue places I have never been but am eager to visit. This recent “love letter” in the Washington Post has confirmed its spot on my list: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/a-love-letter-to-a-nc-barbecue-joint/2012/11/29/8e6eb3e6-301d-11e2-a30e-5ca76eeec857_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | Tagged: Cleveland County, Shelby, Wood-cooked | 3 Comments »
Posted on November 5, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
Nice, brief feature on the legendary Wayne Monk of Lexington Barbecue on Garden & Gun’s website.
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | Tagged: Davidson County, Lexington, Words of wisdom | 2 Comments »
Posted on November 2, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
It appears that Bart’s Old North State Barbecue, which started as a catering company and then a food truck, has found a bricks and mortar location. This one opened up right under my nose without me realizing, so thanks to alert reader Will for tipping me off to it. I’ve had these folks’ barbecue from the truck and it is quite good, so expect it’s worth a visit. I’ll be trying it myself soon.
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | Tagged: Chapel Hill, Orange County | 3 Comments »
Posted on October 21, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
North Carolina’s coast is notoriously lacking in decent barbecue. However, recently the Wilmington area greeted two new restaurants that I hope (until proven a mirage) will bring some vinegary rain to the barbecue desert that is coastal North Carolina. Full story here in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | 1 Comment »
Posted on October 21, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
In case any of you were praying for a resurrection of Dillard’s restaurant in Durham, it looks like God Himself couldn’t bring them back now (after all, even He can’t compete with a gas station).
The beloved, albeit well past its prime, restaurant closed early last year but some of us might have hoped it would return in some form or another. That appears all but impossible now, as the property has been sold to gas station/convenience store company M.M. Fowler. Read about the property’s sale, including some heart warming quotes from the family, in the Herald-Sun. I’m glad that the Dillard family was able to close on its own terms, something not many restarateurs have the privilege of doing.
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | Tagged: Durham, Durham County | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 11, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
In case you’ve not yet head, Raleigh-based yuppie-friendly barbecue purveyors, The Pit, have confirmed their plans to open a location in Durham. Details are in the Herald-Sun. Despite my trepidation over an upscale, tofu-barbecuing restaurant moving closer to my home, I have a lot of respect for The Pit’s commitment to cooking over wood and am excited about the news.
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | 1 Comment »
Posted on July 29, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
I finally made it to Speedy Lohr’s a couple of weeks back and it was well worth the visit. Speedy Lohr’s is located a bit outside of Lexington in the (what I shall call) hamlet of Arcadia, and they cook their barbecue over wood as God intended. As you can see in the photo below, Speedy Lohr’s adds a bit more sauce dip than I prefer but quibbles aside it was good ‘cue.
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | Tagged: Davidson County, Grade A, Lexington, Lexington style, Wood-cooked | 2 Comments »
Posted on June 28, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
There’s a new barbecue restaurant open way up north, the north part of the state that is. Robinson Ferry Restaurant & Spirits opened in Warrenton a week ago, and specializes in southern food including barbecue. I plan to try it soon but let me know if you’ve already been…
Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | Tagged: Warren County, Warrenton | 6 Comments »
BBQ Jew 