“Pigs” Eating Pig

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

If you’re in Hickory this weekend and can live with yourself for visiting Dickey’s Barbecue Pit (aka “the Starbuck’s of BBQ”), then check out this event.  In case you are too lazy to click the link, it is a newspaper article describing a BBQ sandwich eating contest between the Hickory Police Department and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Department to raise money for the Special Olympics.

According to the article, “Aggressive eaters from each department will go head-to-head to see who can cram down the most barbecue sandwiches in 10 minutes.”  The public is invited to attend and has the right to cheer on its favorite competitor, or the right to remain silent…

Filed under: Hog Happenings | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Q-City Charlotte BBQ Championship

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

Perhaps still seeking its BBQ identity after the Michelle Obama flap of 2011, the not-so-famed BBQ destination of Charlotte will host a barbecue competition the weekend after next.  Seriously, it sounds like a fun event so check it out.  Below is an excerpt from the media release about the event, with all the gory details:

Charlotte, NC – September 11, 2013 – BBQ competitors have yet another reason to sharpen their skills and perfect their recipes before the Q-City Charlotte BBQ Championship. On October 19, the winning team will not only receive the title of Grand Champion and a $7,500 cash prize; the team will also receive a Golden Ticket – an exclusive invitation to compete in the 2013 World Food Championships in Las Vegas, to be held November 7-10, 2013.

The four day, invitation-only food competition draws hundreds of contenders from around the world. Competitors vie for $300,000 in winnings and the title of 2013 World Food Champion. The Q-City Charlotte BBQ Grand Champion team will represent the Southeast region and battle other top-tier national teams in the World Barbecue Championship category.

The Q-City Charlotte BBQ Championship will be held for the 11th year on October 18-19 in Uptown Charlotte. There are two types of teams – Memphis BBQ Network (MBN) pros and Challenger (amateur) teams that will compete in a variety of categories – everything from Boston butt and whole hog to cole slaw and chicken. The Grand Champion will be chosen from the MBN pro team division. This is the second year that the Grand Champion will be automatically qualified to compete in the World Food Championships.

Fans will enjoy tons of food, live music, BBQ demonstrations and competitions during the Q-City Charlotte BBQ Championship. Cost of admission? It’s free. Join us Oct. 18-19 in Charlotte.

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Allen & Son’s Acquisition

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

It appears the Pittsboro version of Allen & Son (not to be confused with the legendary wood burner up the road in Chapel Hill) has expanded its empire by taking over a BBQ restaurant in Sanford.  All this according to our new friend Steve (aka “Skins” to his old friends, or so we may as well assume), who recently visited the new Allen’s colony and reports:

“I dined Saturday on some decent BBQ bought at Allen & Son BBQ in Sanford.  Jackson Bros BBQ in Sanford closed and is now an Allen & Son. The ‘que was moist and a bit spiced.  The sandwich was vary generous and could have been shared.   No taste of smoke. There is no seating inside.  The place was busy.”

I’ll go investigate before long. Until then, please enjoy Steve’s photos below.

AllenSanford2

AllenSanford1

Filed under: Restaurants & Reviews | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

A Belated Happy New Year

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, came and went a couple-few weeks ago and I failed to acknowledge it on this blog.  To try and, ahem, atone for my omission, I present to you this article on Jewish pitmaster Ari White and the art of Texas-style kosher beef brisket:  http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130820/LIFESTYLE01/308200052/Happy-Rosh-Hashana-y-all-Texas-barbecue-hits-holiday-menu

L’shanah tovah, y’all, and I hope your new year is off to a good start, whether you celebrated with brisket, boiled chicken, or pork butt.

Filed under: Cooking | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Micro Pigs: Coming Soon to a Very Small BBQ Pit Near You?

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

According to recent media reports, the “micro pig” is the latest pet craze in Great Britain.  These pigs should consider themselves lucky that the Brits are amateurs when it comes to barbecue, as these little porkers would make the perfect individual-sized BBQ meal.  It’d be like Pizza Hut’s personal pan pizza but probably a similarly lousy deal when you consider the per ounce purchase price of the little pigs, which sometimes fetch over $1,000 (that’d buy a lot of regular pork shoulders).  Still, if you’d like to cook whole hog barbecue on your backyard Weber kettle or camping stove then the price may be worth it.  Order the main ingredient for your next micro pig pickin’ right here.

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When Barbecue Attacks

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

Usually barbecue is a docile creature, but if provoked it will attack.  Just ask the good folks of Cleveland County: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/pressrel/2013/2013-09-17_clev_co_salmonella_outbreak.htm.

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It Ain’t Easy Being Judgy

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a barbecue judge, and imagined it’s all fun and games, think again.  It’s hard work.  Well, sort of.  See Jeri Rowe’s account in the Greensboro News & Record.

Filed under: 'Cue Culture | 1 Comment »

Another Reason to Ignore Fox News

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

Fox News has done it again.

I’ve never put much stock into what Fox News says about anything, and regardless of your political stripes I think you’ll agree with me that their “Top 10 Barbecue Restaurants in the US” list is downright laughable: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/09/12/top-10-barbecue-restaurants-in-us/

Oh, and did anyone else notice that their lead photo for the story is of a hamburger?  Perhaps Sarah Palin wrote this article?!

Filed under: BBQ in the News | 4 Comments »

Pork Shoulder Politics

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

The summer is winding down and fall is almost upon us.  In North Carolina, that means one thing: political barbecues.  Pork and politics have gone hand in hand in the Tar Heel state since its earliest days.  Charlotte, being the largest city in the state, may well have more political barbecues than anywhere else, from the relatively small scale like today’s 5th annual North Mecklenburg Republican Women’s BBQ event to the 84th annual Mallard Creek Barbecue that serves thousands of ordinary people (and countless extra-ordinary politicians) on the fourth Thursday in October.  Pork barrel politics indeed.

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Clyde Cooper’s on the Move

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Porky LeSwine

An interesting article on the long talked about and now finally happening move of the venerable Clyde Cooper’s BBQ of downtown Raleigh:  http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2013/07/31/clyde-coopers-barbecue-to-relocate.html?page=2

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