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Monk: Team applications for Memphis in May are officially open for next year’s festival which will take place in Liberty Park

This of course is after a new, upstart festival has been announced to be held at (plot twist) Tom Lee Park, where Memphis in May had traditionally been held. Forward Momentum are the organizers behind the rival festival which will be held at the same time as Memphis in May, and Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porkers is on board to compete, even going so far as to say “BBQ in Memphis belongs on the river, and with Forward Momentum, we now have the means and resources to make it happen.”

This has led to the picking of festivals between the big competition teams and so far it looks like Memphis in May is ahead early by my unofficial count with Jack’s Old South and Moe Cason are on board so far as well as The Usual Saucepects Championship BBQ, Heath Riles BBQ, and former 2x Grand Champions Willingham’s World Championship BBQ,

As for me? If I make either festival it will surely be Memphis in May at Liberty Park.

Finally, in perhaps somewhat related news, the CEO of Memphis in May is retiring at the end of January.

Native News

Congrats to Raleigh’s The Pit, which will celebrate 15 years open this weekend

Phar Mill Brewing and BBQ’s downtown Concord location is now closed to the public and they will focus on the original Harrisburg location going forward

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A post shared by Pharr Mill Brewing & BBQ (@pharr_mill_brewing_and_bbq)

Can’t wait to see this new Jon G’s design on a t-shirt

FoodieScore checks back in with Johnny Ray’s Smokehouse in Fallston

A free gift with purchase from Concord’s SnS Grills

Speaking of gifts, this shirt from House of Swank is a little too reductive terms of barbecue ideology, but I appreciate it nonetheless

Non-Native News

FatStack Smokers, who relocated from California to Texas and has been accused of taking customers’ money without providing actual smokers, has closed up shop

FatStack Smokers, which recently moved operations from L.A. to Houston, appears to have closed up shop with a long list of pre-paid orders unfulfilled (per Redditt & FB user page). The owner previously addressed troubles on YouTube. h/t @KevinsBBQJoints https://t.co/xkfeJICgpY

— J.C. Reid (@jcreidtx) November 28, 2023

Speaking of Houston, here’s J.C. Reid’s top 30 barbecue restaurants list for the city

Here's a new barbecue list, if you're interested. 30 of Houston's top barbecue joints as of late 2023, my latest for the @HoustonChron (gift link). https://t.co/WgCB1XAh5j

— J.C. Reid (@jcreidtx) November 28, 2023

One more from J.C. Reid on how brisket makes a Philly cheesesteak even better

Brisket makes everything better, right? It certainly makes classic sandwiches like a Philly cheesesteak better, at least in this Texan's opinion. My latest for the @houstonchron. (free link) #houbbq @RoegelsBarbecue https://t.co/NZfZ8lqNF6

— J.C. Reid (@jcreidtx) November 25, 2023

Big Dave’s BBQ makes this Eater Essentials list for Greenville, SC

A review of a new type of grill brush

Talk about a #woodpilewednesday

If my measurements are correct and an orange cone is 28 inches tall, I think we are looking at around 16 feet of oak stacked painstakingly by the folks at California Firewood Sales. pic.twitter.com/JVYFiI3zA8

— Kevin's BBQ Joints (@KevinsBBQJoints) November 23, 2023