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 October 7, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
On October 18th, you can help support the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the fight against cancer by stuffing your face with pork. Sounds fun, right? Learn more at http://www.pigoutforthecure.org/
Filed under: Hog Happenings | 2 Comments »
Posted on September 22, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
Somewhat ironically, BBQJew.com has offered to help a German journalist who is writing a story on North Carolina barbecue. The journalist, Merten Worthmann, writes for Zeit Magazine, a German publication, and will be in town this coming week to tour the state and its barbecue. Merten is eager to find a pig pickin’, BBQ fundraiser or other such event to attend while in our state and I don’t know of any going on next week (between Wednesday and Saturday). Any ideas? I’m sure he’d love an invite to an authentic family or church/synagogue/mosque pig pickin’…
Filed under: Miscellaneous | 1 Comment »
Posted on September 18, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
From the Durham County library, this looks like a good one, even though it doesn’t feature any BBQ pitmasters…
Southern Cooking (Durham Reads Together)
Sunday, September 23, 3 p.m.
Southwest Regional Library, 3605 Shannon Rd.
Food plays an important part in the culture of the South and in Maron’s novels. InUp Jumps the Devil, Deborah Knott says, “My family will drop every other subject to discuss food.” Join Bob Garner, television personality and food author, as he moderates a panel of leading proponents of Southern cooking, including Chefs Ben Barker of Magnolia Grill, Billy Cotter of Toast, Amy Tornquist of Watts Street Grocery and Iron Chef Walter Royal of the Angus Barn as they discuss Southern food cultures.
Filed under: Hog Happenings | Tagged: Durham, Durham County, Events, Words of wisdom | Leave a comment »
Posted on August 26, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
Fascinating post from last week’s Southern Foodways Alliance blog about barbecue’s surprisingly long history in Charlotte: http://southernfoodways.blogspot.com/2012/08/mr-nunns-barbecue-stand-north-carolinas.html
Filed under: 'Cue Culture | Tagged: Charlotte, Mecklenburg 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 August 7, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
Until recently, I updated this site multiple times each week for the past two years (451 posts to date). Although I still feel like there are many stories to tell about North Carolina barbecue, I’m suffering from what my doctor would call an acute case of Hog Blog Fatigue if only she was better educated (undoubtedly, soon enough HBF will be a diagnosable disorder complete with its own set of prescription remedies).
My love of North Carolina barbecue is as strong as ever–I will love BBQ in sickness and in health, et al.–but I’m going to take a break from writing about it. I will likely resurface with occasional posts in the not too distant future but I’m giving up on the regular posting dream, at least for now. Until we meet again, in the absence of new content on my website, enjoy Bob Garner’s new book, re-read Holy Smoke with a highlighter, or head to your local barbecue joint for a plate, tray or sandwich (your choice).
Thanks for reading, everyone.
Filed under: Porky's Pulpit | 5 Comments »
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 July 16, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
Thanks to the illustrious J.S. Reed for sending along the below image of a World War II British propaganda poster. The poster begs the question as to whether loyal citizens should save pork scraps should to feed the hogs. Yes would be my guess, as the way that fat pig is winking and grinning, it looks like he’s been eating barbecue.
Filed under: Miscellaneous | Tagged: Words of wisdom | Leave a comment »
Posted on July 13, 2012 by Porky LeSwine
What could be finer than pork, pickles and peanuts in Carolina? Nothing, or so I’m told. Stop by Duke Homestead in Durham this Saturday (tomorrow, in other words) and find out for yourself.
According to PP&P’s organizers, the festival will feature “a BBQ cook off and pie competition, live music, costumed interpreters at our historic site, local arts and crafts vendors, and a mock Tobacco Queen pageant.”
Better yet, the winner of the pageant “will make her debut in September at our Harvest & Hornworm festival.” I bet you can’t wait to put that on your resume, young ladies!
In all seriousness, the event looks like it’ll be a blast so check it out. Learn more on the Interwebs.
Filed under: Hog Happenings | Tagged: Competitions, Durham, Durham County, Events, Festivals | Leave a comment »
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