Linkdown: 3/31/21

Featured

Rodney Scott’s barbecue book came out earlier this month and this week he spoke with Steve Inskeep of NPR’s Morning Edition, and in the feature he opens up more on the current state of the relationship with his dad than I’ve previously read. Sadly, it’s not in a great spot.

“His objection was, you didn’t start this. You’re not the barbecue guy … and he said, you know what, just go open your own place, get away from here,” he says.

“Sometimes I would pass him in certain areas and he would kind of turn his head,” he says. “He wouldn’t even wave if he saw me wave at him.”

However, Rodney Scott is at peace with his decision to strike out on his own, first by opening a restaurant in Charleston and then a second location in Birmingham, AL (with an Atlanta location planned for this summer).

“I want to take over the world with barbecue,” he says. “You could put a whole hog in front of some people and you’re going to get at least 50 to 100 people that’s going to come together and eat. So, in my mind, why not everybody around the world fire up a hog. And I bet you, it’ll be some joy, a whole lot of partying, a lot of smiles. And the world would be a better place.”

Native News

Several NC barbecue restaurants are featured in this handy guide of restaurants along I-95 worth a stop

Non-Native News

“The heart and soul of the craft barbecue movement [in Kansas City] is located in central Texas”

Blue Smoke has reopened in New York

Smoke & Steel BBQ in Bangor, Maine will feature barbecue and axe throwing

Shuler’s BBQ is opening a second location in Lake City, SC

Saucy’s Southern BBQ and Cuisine in Denver launches a wing and barbecue sauce featuring THC distillate

Check Daniel Vaughn’s Twitter for his big barbecue roadtrip from last week including newcomer Distant Relatives BBQ; nature is healing!

Roddey’s BBQ – Rock Hill, SC

Name: Roddey’s BBQ
Address: 250 S. Cherry St, Rock Hill, SC 29732
Order: Brisket and barbecue sandwich combo (link to menu)
Pricing: $$

Monk: Roddey’s BBQ is the barbecue venture of Seth Roddey and his dad Ken in Rock Hill, South Carolina just south of the border from Charlotte. While Ken has been smoking barbecue for 25 years, the duo began catering in 2014. However, it wasn’t until about a year ago that Seth bought a food truck and started regular service in Rock Hill. Not the most fortunate timing during the pandemic and whatnot, but they have stuck it out.

Roddey’s BBQ smokes their pork, brisket, and ribs on an Ole Hickory pit at a commercial kitchen at their house using hickory splits. They then set up at a vacant lot for service every week off S. Cherry Street across from District Three Stadium, the home stadium to local football powerhouse Northwestern High.

The USDA prime brisket was well smoked and had good flavor, but was not overly peppery in the style of a central Texas brisket. Orders came with a mix of both fatty and lean, and I preferred the fattier cut though the lean made a nice foldover.

The pulled pork sandwich had good bark mixed in but was not overly smoky. Both combos came with a peppery mayo-based coleslaw and when the sandwich was topped with the slaw and the Roddey’s vinegar-based sauce, it made for a darn fine bite.

I like that Roddey’s is a family affair, and the barbecue is certainly worth keeping an eye on and seeking out. You can find Roddey’s BBQ Wednesdays through Fridays at 250 S. Cherry St in Rock Hill.

Ratings:
Brisket – 3.5 hogs
Pork – 4 hogs
Sides – 4 hogs
Overall – 4 hogs

Linkdown: 3/10/21

Featured

This week marks the one year anniversary of the lockdown due to COVID-19. However, with the light at the end of the tunnel seemingly in sight (don’t let up now, though!), it’s fun to start thinking about all the things we used to take for granted that we will once again soon be able to do. Things like concerts, having a beer at the bar, lazily perusing the used section at a record store, and perhaps most pertinent, having huge parties centered around smoking and/or grilling.

In this article from Munchies, the author fantasizes about days to come and gives recommendations for smoking and grilling accessories to stock up in advance. He gets a quote from Daniel Vaughn of Texas Monthly (whom he mistakenly refers to as David) about how he plans to smoke a whole hog on cinderblocks in his backyard once its safe to do so and I couldn’t be more in. I have been itching to do it again after my first successful attempt Father’s Day 2019 and I’m now officially in planning mode for that to-be-determined day.

So let it be known: whole hog party at the Monk residence this Fall. Mark it down.

Native News

More coverage of The Preserve’s delivery service which began last Friday

Though it looks like they have a few kinks to work out; as I wrote last week, let’s hope they do

Dank Burrito owner Chef Clarke Merrell has opened Social Q Smokehouse in Morehead City, a restaurant “years in the making”

Sweet Lew’s Barbeque and Midwood Smokehouse make the Eater list for Charlotte

Non-Native News

*Raises hand*

More coverage of Rodney Scott’s and Adrian Miller’s upcoming books

The BBQ Review visits Rodney Scott’s BBQ in Charleston

And now, for dessert

Did someone say “drive thru banana pudding?”

Legal Remedy Brewing – Rock Hill, SC

Name: Legal Remedy Brewing Brewpub
Address: 129 Oakland Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Order: Pulled pork sandwich (link to menu)
Pricing: $$

Monk: Legal Remedy Brewing opened their original brewpub in 2015 in an old auto dealership in Old Town Rock Hill. In addition to the beer, the original location serves upscale brewpub eats with a focus on house smoked meats, going so far as to have a “Warden of Woodsmoke” overseeing the menu. Those smoked meats included pork, brisket, turkey, and wings but there is also a smoked meatloaf dish on the menu.

It would seem as if Legal Remedy is finding success in Rock Hill as they have since opened a second location in the form of a farm to table restaurant dubbed the “Legal Remedy Cantina” that serves seasonal food from local farmers and producers. The brewpub location on the old auto lot has quite a bit of outdoor seating when the weather is nice and it was pretty packed on a clear Saturday night when I visited recently with the Monk clan in tow.

Having ordered the southern poutine appetizer between Mrs. Monk and me, I went simply with the pulled pork sandwich instead of the Carnivore Sampler platter with all of the meats. The southern poutine is topped with smoked jalapeño pimento cheese, pepper jelly, and crumbled LRBacon and was a wonderful, if not exactly needed, start.

The pulled pork sandwich was comprised of pork that was not overly smoky but once the it was topped with the coleslaw and LRBeer BQ sauce it was more than passable. I gobbled it up pretty quickly and without complaint.

In addition to the other standard brewpub fare, there’s also a smoked meatloaf made from the trimmings of  their smoked turkey, beef brisket, kielbratsas (from The Peach Stand), and pork, mixing with ground beef. Brunswick stew is also on the menu as are house cured versions of reuben and pastrami sandwiches. Plus their beer is not too bad either.

Much like Pinehurst Brewing (which I reviewed earlier this year), Legal Remedy has put a focus on smoked meats to above average results. Next time I’m back in the area, I’ll check out the rest of their offerings to see how they stack up.

Ratings:
Atmosphere/Ambiance – 4 hogs
Pork – 2.5 hogs
Sides – 4 hogs
Overall – 2.5 hogs