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: 2/28/24 – The Not So Great North Carolina Barbecue Debate Edition

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Monk: Congrats to Garren and Kelly Kirkman of Jon G’s Barbecue, who 4 years ago yesterday purchased the former Barbee’s Barbecue in Peachland and turned it into the Jon G’s Barbecue we know and love today. They took a few months to get the place ready for business before opening in June of 2020. Have you made it out for a Barbecue Saturday yet?

Native News

John Tanner makes some recent stops in NC at Red Bridges Barbecue in Shelby

…followed by Lexington Barbecue; quite the one-two punch

An Our State writer from out east discovers that Lexington Barbecue isn’t so different from her beloved eastern NC barbecue after all (I’ve been saying the same thing for years!)

If you happen to be in the market for a BQ Grill out of Elm City, they have a clear out sale going on right now:

The top 3 Lexington barbecue restaurants from The State You’re In

Today is the last day for 20% off accessories from SnS Grills

Non-Native News

Thanks to destination-bbq on including two of our latest posts (including our post on his book “Going Whole Hog”) in his latest newsletter

John Tanner regrets not ordering the pork or ribs at JL Smokehouse in Phoenix

Swig & Swine‘s fourth current location (fifth overall) will open soon in Myrtle Beach

Linkdown: 2/21/24 – The #teamslaw edition

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Monk: Our thoughts are with the Wooden Robot Brewery family in Charlotte as news of co-owner Dan Wade’s passing spread Tuesday afternoon. Wade passed away due to an accident at the brewery.

Native News

Scott from Firehawk Brewpub remembers Dan Wade of Wooden Robot

Lexington Barbecue will sponsor The Lexington Flying Pigs baseball team this season

The Smoke Pit‘s Concord location will be closed this week

Elliott Moss announces a St. Patrick’s Day pop-up at The Hound in Asheville on his Moss and Moore Instagram page

Moss looks to have kept busy lately with his Velvet Moss Welding project

Sam Jones BBQ is also #teamslaw

The Charlotte Eats Instagram page features an old school photo of Spoon’s Barbecue

Non-Native News

Palmira Barbecue featuring their beef cheeks

Fork Grove Barbecue in Anderson, SC is providing pork to Guys Pizza 24 for their Pork Barbecue Ranch

Could brisket’s days be numbered due to its excessively high price?