SC

Linkdown: 7/27/16

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– JJR’s BBQ at Bank of America Stadium has gotten the upgrade treatment as part of the latest round of renovations at the stadium

– The Southern Foodways Alliance has an oral history interview with Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor of Heirloom Market BBQ

– Several barbecue sammies on Esquire’s “Where to Get the Best Sandwich in Every State”, including a barbecue sandwich from Stamey’s in Greensboro

– “One of the reasons the project took longer than expected to complete was the discovery of a barbecue pit from the first brick and mortar barbecue restaurant in Lexington. Greene said the pits were hidden behind a closet in the former conference room, but when workers discovered what they were city officials knew they had to preserve that heritage, even at the cost of delaying the project.”

– Grant’s latest stop is Bluegrass Barbeque in Moody, AL which was the last stop on his Memphis trip

– TMBBQ visits Lewis Barbecue in Charleston and John Lewis proclaims “I live here, and I’m staying here”

– Sports Channel 8 makes the case for ECU to the Big 12 based on barbecue

Often times, I hear the Greenville television market getting knocked when conference expansion conversations happen. And yes, it’s not that large. But considering the Big 12 is a Texas-based league, I don’t think we’re looking at this the right way. Instead of looking at ECU’s market in terms of television size, let’s view it strictly in terms of BBQ quality. Texas has the brisket, I get that and I love it. But Greenville has B’s and Skylight Inn and Parker’s and many other great choices. Whether you like slaw on your pork or not — I personally choose to go without it — ECU’s BBQ scene stacks up with anybody in the country.

– Tough decisions:

Q2U BBQ Pit and Catering – Lake Wylie, SC

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IMG_5380 (2)
Name: Q2U BBQ Pit and Catering
Date: 7/8/16
Address: 4052 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie, South Carolina 29710
Order: Pork sandwich lunch combo with cole slaw (link to menu)
Price: $8.47

Monk: Q2U BBQ Pit and Catering is not that far away from Charlotte – just over the SC border – but I’ve always had a mental block about going to it because it’s at least a 35-40 minute trip to get out to it from just about anywhere in Charlotte I would normally be. It’s been recommended by readers for a couple of years now so I decided to bite the bullet and finally make the trek.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much. Not because it was in a non-descript strip mall or that it wasn’t particularly crowded (though it should be said that the lunch crowd did pick up by the time I left), but sometimes you just expect to be letdown. While it was the lunch hour on a Friday and I wasn’t partaking, it was encouraging to see that they keep a good-sized draft list with a decent amount of local beer options. The walls were adorned with lots of vintage Hornets and Panthers memorabilia so I had no complaints about the decor.

Lunch service was very quick and within a few minutes of placing my order, I had my plate of food. While the sandwich may have been scooped from a tray of already chopped pork, it  wasn’t overly dry or grainy. And I got a nice hint of smoke in the meat. I did add some of their vinegar table sauce, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was necessary or needed.

Each combo comes with a couple of hush puppies, and they were fantastic. The mayo slaw was fine but I really wish I had ordered hush puppies as my side to get a couple more.

Overall, a very solid sandwich from Q2U BBQ and Catering and definitely the best barbecue I’ve had just across the border in the Charlotte metro area. I don’t know that I will find myself in the Lake Wylie area very often but if I do, I will steer my group towards it to try some more of their meat offerings.

Ratings:
Atmosphere – 3 hogs
Pork – 3 hogs
Sides – 3 hogs
Overall – 3 hogs
Q2U BBQ Pit Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Q2U sandwich combo
Q2U bar
Q2U tap list
Q2U exterior right
Q2U exterior left

Linkdown: 7/13/16

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– When two NC originals collide: Cheerwine and Krispy Kreme collaborate on a new soda

– ICYMI:

– Re: the greatness of Georgia barbecue, Paul’s BBQ in Lexington has closed

– Grant visits Captain John’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q, which is just a “Memphis average” joint

– Seoul Food Meat Co is expanding into the other side of its current building

– How to make Texas-style potato salad, a “classic ‘cue side”

– Destination’s latest post in their SC BBQ Road Trip travels I-77

 

Linkdown: 7/6/16

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– After their campaign stop Tuesday afternoon, Obama and Hillary stopped by Midwood for pork and brisket (Obama) and chicken and ribs (Hillary)

– Village Voice takes you behind the scenes with the pitmasters the night before the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party

– Scott’s BBQ is closed this week, returning a week from today

– For the home smoker, an Epicurious writer says he’s over lump hardwood charcoal because “it’s expensive, burns too hot, and doesn’t last long enough”

– Monroe, NC gets its first craft beer bar, and it also serves barbecue – Southern Range Craft Beer & BBQ

– Food Republic has the lowdown on barbecue hash, with help from Elliot Moss among others

– Time has listicles of 8 Incredible BBQ Spots in Texas (with help from Daniel Vaughn of TMBBQ) as well as 8 Best BBQ Spots in the Carolinas (with help from Rien Fertel)

– Business Insider teams with Foursquare for their list of top 50 barbecue joints ranked

– Southern Living barbecue editor Robert Moss has released an updated 2016 list of the best barbecue joints in the south