Monk: Kreuz Market has been a fixture in downtown Lockhart, Texas ever since Charles Kreuz Sr. purchased a meat market from Jesse Swearingen in 1900 and renamed it. In this video, Trey’s Chow Down visits Kreuz and gives a short video tour before chowing down on beef rib, brisket, sausage, chicken, and their comically large pork chop.
Description: A Texas BBQ legend since 1875 in Lockhart, Texas
Monk: In East Durham, NC, Mike De Los Santos started doing barbecue sauces and rubs that mixed Hispanic and black flavors as a hobby but then a family tragedy refocused him to eventually open a brick and mortar restaurant called Mike D’s BBQ Smokehouse. Last December, his wood-smoked barbecue joint earned Best New North Carolina Barbecue from Eater Carolinas.
Description: Mike De Los Santos brings his award-winning barbecue and rubs to a brick-and-mortar destination in East Durham.
Monk: A family vacation prevented me from attending last year’s Jon G’s Jubilation, which is part barbecue festival and part birthday celebration (the original was created to celebrate Garren’s 40th birthday). This year, my family obligations didn’t conflict with my barbecue obligations, so I made my way to Peachland around 4pm on a Saturday – which, by the way, is an odd feeling – for this year’s edition of the Jubilee featuring Lawrence Barbecue, Elliott Moss, N. Sea Oyster Co., and NoDa Brewing.
Monk: LC’s BBQ is a Kansas City barbecue institution founded in 1986 by LC Richardson. Located adjacent to the Royals and Chiefs stadiums, it has become a must stop for home and away fans on game days. Anthony Bourdain even filmed part of his 2012 Kansas City episode of “No Reservations” there and raved about the burnt ends.
In this video, Xplor Kansas City meets with Richardson’s granddaughter Tasha Hammett, who took over the restaurant after his passing in 2021 but still maintains his original recipes. From his old weathered office chair, she discusses what she learned from her grandfather, early memories of the restaurant, and even gives some advice for aspiring restaurateurs. Staying true to her Kansas City roots, Tasha picks LC’s burnt ends as her favorite dish from the restaurant.
Initially too small to see over the counter when she began helping out at the age of 12, Tasha now oversees the entire operation while maintaining her grandfather’s original recipes that she inherited along with the 38 year old joint. That’s not to say she didn’t make some changes though, starting with some much needed upgrades to the ever-present three tiered smoker in the middle of the restaurant.
Hammett hopes that upgrade plus her business sense will help LC’s BBQ last at least another 38 years. From the looks of it, the city of Kansas City is also hoping for the same as well.
Description: Xplor the legendary Kansas City barbecue joint – L.C.’s Barbecue, famous since 1986 for its slow smoked meats and sweet tangy sauce! Meet Tasha, the owner’s granddaughter, as she shares the history of this family-filled restaurant, the secret behind their distinctive barbecue flavors, and her personal journey growing up in the business. From renovating the old fire pit to preserving her Grandfather’s chair, Tasha reflects on the legacy of L.C.’s, from its humble three-bar-stool, outdoor-smoker beginnings to it becoming a Kansas City staple. She provides a few wise words for anyone looking to start in the business, emphasizing the importance of location and customer service. If you’re in the Kansas City area, make sure to visit L.C.’s Barbecue, located at 5800 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, to taste some of their tantalizing barbecue recipes.