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: 11/22/23 – The Happy Thanksgiving Edition

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Monk: The Cuegrass festival, a mix of barbecue, bluegrass, and beer, is back next April in downtown Raleigh. It’s been a few years since I’ve been, but it looks like they’ve moved a few blocks away from in front of The Pit restaurant onto Fayetteville Street. Here were my thoughts from 2019:

Mark your calendars for April 20 for what is sure to be a fun time.

Native News

The Barbecue Festival has been nominated by NC Tripping for best annual festival

Non-Native News

John Tanner visits Franklin Barbecue

DC barbecue featured in Texas Monthly

Team applications are now open for Memphis in May

Texas Monthly with some helpful suggestions for leftover barbecue

The labor shortage hits Texas barbecue

Noted fan of barbecue Jon Favreau recently stopped in at Heritage Barbecue

WANT:

Wayback Wednesday:

Lunch at The Barbecue Center in Photos

Monk: I recently stopped by The Barbecue Center in Lexington for the first time in a few years for a lunch with the Monk clan. Here was my experience in photos.

The barbecue tray with red slaw is the classic order.

A basket of fresh hush puppies comes with every tray or plate order (the plate comes with fries as well).

I wandered around the building to check out their wood pile for the first time, and this was just a couple of the piles of wood right off the smokehouse.

Another view of the stacked pile against the building.

There’s a couple different styles of signs on the property, and this is one at the far end of the parking lot along N. Main Street.

The Barbecue Center is my second favorite barbecue restaurant in town behind Lexington Barbecue and this was yet another great lunch. For my full rankings, check here.