Linkdown: 5/8/24 – The Tar Heel Traveler Edition

Monk: The Tar Heel Traveler is the “nom de vlogger” of Scott Mason, long time contributor to WRAL in Raleigh. He joined the station in 1997 and recently hit the milestone of 2500 segments.

In his own words, “I love traveling the back roads of North Carolina,” said Mason. “What an amazing state to explore, full of so many fascinating sights and colorful people. I also love to eat! Hot dogs, hamburgers, biscuits, barbecue, donuts, and ice cream – nothing’s better than enjoying a scrumptious treat and warm fellowship in old-timey landmarks with faded awnings and creaky floors.”

While he doesn’t do barbecue restaurants exclusively, here are four of the more recent ones he’s done that has focused on our favorite cuisine.

And while you’re at it, read our review of his book, “Tar Heel Traveler Eats.”

Skylight Inn in Ayden (doesn’t seem to be on YouTube yet)

Lexington Barbecue in Lexington

Description: Lexington is often thought to be the barbecue capital of the world, and the restaurant that bears the town’s name has a long, loyal following.

Grady’s BBQ in Dudley

Lawrence and Perry BBQ from last year’s NC State Fair

Description: The two 36-year-old friends met in kindergarten in Warren County. Today, they operate a barbeque food truck. Tar Heel Traveler Scott Mason caught with the duo, who came to the state fair to sell barbeque for the first time.

Linkdown: 3/20/24 – The NC BBQ Hall of Fame Edition

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Monk: John Tanner did some digging on the brand new NC Barbecue Hall of Fame, which was recently formed. Some details in his website here:

The first class of inductees were honored on March 1 in Burlington:

  • Kent Bridges of Alston Bridges Barbecue in Shelby
  • Steve and Gerri Grady of Grady’s BBQ in Dudley
  • Charles Hursey of Hursey’s Bar-B-Q in Burlington
  • Wayne Monk of Lexington Barbecue in Lexington
  • Sam Jones of Sam Jones BBQ in Winterville and Raleigh
  • Pete Jones of Skylight Inn in Ayden
  • Charles Stamey of Stamey’s Barbecue in Greensboro

John has hopes that the NC BBQ Hall of Fame can help fill the void left by the passing of Jim Early, the founder of the North Carolina Barbecue Society, some years back. I have the same hopes, and looking forward to see what comes next.

Native News

Monk: Check out a preview of a recent episode of the Low and Slow Barbecue Show with Ronald Simmons of Master Blend

Pinhouse in Charlotte is cooking two pigs for their Pig Pickin’ this Saturday and sandwiches will be $2; all sales are benefitting their Marketing Director’s Dad who has been going through kidney failure and looking for a kidney donor

Volunteers needed for the Carolina BBQ Festival in Charlotte on April 5-6; link here for more information

Stamey’s has new cups stating “94 years and still smoking”

Firehawk Brewpub is launching a kayak club

Laurinburg is hosting the Suds and Swine Barbecue Festival, a NC Whole Hog Barbecue Series event

Non-Native News

John Tanner has some of the best brisket he’s tasted outside of Texas at Little Miss BBQ in Phoenix

LeRoy and Lewis recently celebrated the 7 year anniversary of their food truck in addition to the 4th week of service in their new restaurant and bar

Linkdown: 7/12/23 – The Hush Puppy Queen Edition

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Monk: Cheerwine has launched their “Uniquely Southern Summer Contest” and are giving Barbecue Bros readers – some of the smartest barbecue connoisseurs around – an edge when it comes to the contest. Simply enter “BBQBROS” in the “Bonus Code” box for a bonus entry when entering the contest at the link here.

Next week’s prize is The Carolina ‘Que Collection, “an ultimate culinary adventure featuring gift cards to over a dozen barbecue restaurants across North and South Carolina. Savor the mouthwatering flavors and unique regional styles that make Carolina barbecue legendary, and see why Cheerwine and BBQ are known as the ‘Southern Handshake.'”

The grand prize of the contest is a three-day, two-night stay at the historic Brown Mountain Beach Resort, “located in the breathtaking Wilson Creek Gorge of Lenoir, North Carolina, promises an unforgettable getaway where history and natural beauty intertwine. The stay will include a Cheerwine-themed riverfront yurt and plenty of swag from the South’s favorite soda. The winner will also enjoy paddleboard and kayak excursions along Wilson Creek and more.”

The contest ends on July 30 so be sure to enter today (and don’t forget to use the code “BBQBROS”).

More info on the restaurants included in the gift card pack here:

Native News

Congrats to Grady’s BBQ on 37 years open!

B’s Barbecue is featured in this month’s Garden & Gun Magazine

Some recent interviews with Ed and Ryan Mitchell as part of their press tour on their latest cookbook: WBUR in Boston and WUNC in Chapel Hill

Mike D’s BBQ Smokehouse and Retail opens this weekend in East Durham

Red Bridge’s “hush puppy queen” DeDe recently celebrated her 40th anniversary of hiring at the barbecue institution

Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge has new Richardson hats in stock

Non-Native News

Looks like City Limits Q is off to a good start at their new, in-progress brick and mortar in west Columbia

From last month, CNN delves into barbecue hash

Aaron Franklin recently sat down with the Biscuits & Jam podcast

John Tanner rejoices that downtown DC is getting a legit barbecue restaurant in 2fifty Texas BBQ

Holy Smokes tickets are now on sale! The barbecue celebration returns to Waterfront Park in North Charleston in November.

Linkdown: 5/10/23 – The Barbecue Hall of Fame Semi-Finalists Edition

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Congrats to Steve Grady of Grady’s BBQ (as well as the rest of the top 10) for making the semi-finalist list for this year’s Barbecue Hall of Fame class! The inductees will be announced later this month on May 24th.

Native News

WRAL is a fan of Midwood Smokehouse‘s latest location in Raleigh

Midwood Smokehouse has some new barbecue taco specials Thursdays through Sundays in May for National Barbecue Month

Winners from this year’s Jiggy with the Piggy Challenge in Kannapolis

Congrats to Longleaf Swine for being named Readers’ Choice Awards winner for Best New Restaurant by Wake Living’s readers

Congrats to Prime Barbecue on 3 years open

Panther City BBQ out of Texas will be joining Christopher Prieto in an upcoming Latin-inspired barbecue class

Check out John Tanner’s updated list of best barbecue in Eastern NC

The Lexington Pit Stop Event Combines NASCAR and Barbecue this Memorial Day weekend; it’s a celebration of Lexington’s stock car racing teams and the pit-cooked Lexington-style barbecue for which the town is famous

Non-Native News

Scotty’s Whole Hog Barbecue is switching to a “once and month” pop-up schedule in Minnesota this year, and the next service will be on May 20

Aaron Franklin’s latest book, Smoke, from him and his photographer/collaborator Jordan McKay is now out

John Tanner’s out of state travels takes him to B. Cooper Barbecue in Austin, Pig Beach in West Palm Beach, and Pig and Pint in Mississippi

Report from the field on Kolacny BBQ House by Bryan from Tales from the Pits