NC

Best of Charlotte Barbecue: Ribs

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Queen City Q
Ribs from Queen City Q

We initially started this blog in order to find the best barbecue restaurant in Charlotte. While we feel pretty comfortable with our current rankings on the big board having visited 40+ restaurants, what more logical next step than to explore the best meats and dishes in the greater Charlotte area? This is the third post in our series. Click here to find the other posts.

Between the two of us in Charlotte, Speedy is much more the rib guy. Not that Monk doesn’t enjoy a quality rack; it’s just not his preferred meat. Plus, its debatable whether or not ribs are really truly considered barbecue in NC. And while Mac’s Speed Shop does offer a beef rib, this list is strictly a pork ribs list.

  1. Queen City Q
  2. Midwood Smokehouse (Original location; Ballantyne location)
  3. Sauceman’s

What do you think? Have we missed the mark? Leave your comments below.

Kid Cashew – Charlotte, NC

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Name: Kid Cashew
Date: 2/13/16
Address: 1608 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Order: ½ lb pork shoulder, slow-cooked pork panini, hummus with grilled rustic bread, mac and 5 cheese, 4 beers (link)
Price: $67 (for two)

As far as non-traditional barbecue restaurants go, Kid Cashew may be stretching it a bit in terms of places we would normally review here. But they’ve been advertised as a “Mediterranean smokehouse” and even utilize a wood-fired grill made by Texas-based J&R Manufacturing (who is a respected barbecue pit manufacturer who also makes the wood-fired rotisserie smoker that Midwood Smokehouse uses) so I figured they were fair game.

Kid Cashew is a Mediterranean farmhouse-influenced spot in the space formerly occupied by, among other things, an old Spanish tapas place called Solé (a favorite of me and my then-roommates when I first moved to Charlotte in 2005). It has been open for a little over a month now and while we were seated right away during my first visit at lunch on a Saturday, we revisited on a different Saturday night for dinner to find a lively crowd and an hour wait. So it seems to be doing well thus far.

They have a limited menu of small plates, salads, sandwiches, and items “from the farmer” (think brussel sprouts or smashed fingerling potatoes) and those “from the butcher.” Those meats include “local chicken” (half or full), leg of lamb, NC mountain trout, and Scottish salmon. I opted for the pork shoulder at $12.50 per half pound and shared a side of mac and five cheese gratin with Mrs. Monk. The small portion came out in two tender chunks as opposed to shredded or pulled. It did have a wood smell to it with a distinct Mediterranean rub. Again, not really traditional barbecue but a pretty tasty half pound of meat nonetheless. On the side was a spicy cilantro yogurt sauce (tzatziki and harissa also available), and it wasn’t essential to enjoying the meat.

The mac and five-cheese gratin came in a small cast iron skillet and was still piping hot when it was brought out to us. It was a good mac and cheese, albeit a little pricey for the portion size. We had some hummus before our meal came out, and it was made from black chickpeas and was an interesting contrast to the usual smooth pasty texture of hummus found at most restaurants or the grocery store. I guess this makes it more authentic? In any case,  it was good.

I’m not going to recommend you go to Kid Cashew for barbecue (mainly because what they serve really can’t be classified as barbecue) but if you’re looking for a Mediterranean-influenced farm to table restaurant with craft cocktails its not a bad spot in Charlotte.

–Monk

Ratings:
Atmosphere – 3.5 hogs
Pork – 2.5 hogs
Sides – 2.5 hogs
Overall – 2.5 hogs
Kid Cashew Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Linkdown: 3/2/16

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– This article on barbecue treats from Robert Moss considers the misleading names of Texas Pete, Cheerwine, and burnt ends

– Sam Jones has partnered with Heinz to create a “Carolina Vinegar Style” barbecue sauce

– John Shelton Reed has a new barbecue cookbook coming – appropriately titled “Barbecue”

– He’s also having an event at the new Durham barbecue restaurant Picnic to celebrate the release of his book

– Midwood Smokehouse is havin a ‘cue and wine pairing at their Ballantyne location on March 16

– Only In Your State has 10 More Restaurants That Serve The Best Barbecue in North Carolina and well, it certainly is a list

– Interview with our friend Johnny Fugitt

– Midwood Smokehouse is asking for votes for Charlotte Magazine’s Best of the Best Awards 2016

Short Sugar’s Pit Bar-B-Q – Reidsville, NC

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Name: Short Sugar’s Pit Bar-B-Q
Date: 2/16/16
Address: 1328 South Scales Street, Reidsville, NC
Order: Chopped tray with fries and hushpuppies, Cheerwine (link to menu)
Price: ~$11

Speedy: A work trip recently brought me to Reidsville, NC, and since I don’t really happen through this small NC town too often, it seemed like a great opportunity to visit another spot on the NC Historic Barbecue Trail – Short Sugar’s.

Monk: One of the first goals for this blog (other than finding the best barbecue in Charlotte) was to visit each joint on the NC Historic Barbecue Trail. But we’ve been a little lax lately, having visited only one joint in 2015. While there are a few that are a bit east and may end up requiring a dedicated trip, there’s definitely a couple within easy driving distance. Maybe we’ll hit another this year and double our 2015 output!

Speedy: Short Sugar’s is advertised as a drive-in, but in reality, it’s more like an old school diner. There are plenty of tables inside, as well as a lunch counter, and patrons are invited to seat themselves upon entry. Like a typical diner, the menu is fairly diverse, but there is a small section devoted to the barbecue. My order was easy – the barbecue tray with hushpuppies and slaw. When I found out from the waitress that they served white slaw, I quickly subbed in fries instead.

The food came out fairly quickly and I was ready to dig in. It didn’t take me long to figure out why Short Sugars has a sweetener in its name. The barbecue was covered in a dip that was heavy on the brown sugar. While good, it was just a little too sweet for my taste. The meat was chopped fine and very tender, and I still enjoyed my portion. Other than the sweetness, I had two complaints – I didn’t seem to get any outside brown in my portion (I didn’t ask for any), and my ‘cue was a little lukewarm. I imagine it has been chopped a couple hours ago and not placed in a heat lamp. All that being said, I still enjoyed the pork.

The hushpuppies were really good. They also had a sweetness to them, but one that’s more appropriate for the side than it is for the main course. The fries were typical crinkle cut fries, so nothing exciting there.

I have certain expectations whenever I hit up a joint on the historic NC barbecue trail. While Short Sugar’s wasn’t the worst trail joint I’ve hit (and overall I did enjoy the meal), I was slightly disappointed. If I ever find myself in Reidsville again, I wouldn’t be opposed to stopping again, but I won’t be going out of my way to do so.

Ratings:
Atmosphere – 3 hogs
Pork – 3 hogs
Sides – 3 hogs
Overall – 3 hogs
Short Sugar’s Pit Bar-B-Q Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
Short Sugar’s