?? BBQ As An Art ??

I saw this video on Pop Pop Culture, one of the blogs I frequently read - thanks Corky for the amusing posts, and wanted to share it with you. The sad part is that as I watched the video I realized that the BBQ sauce used was actual one of my favorites - Sweet Baby Ray's. MMmmm... makes me want some ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. Hmm, I wonder if this is considered edible art?

"If You Want It Done Right...Do It Yourself"

My last few posts have been regarding the disappointing or mediocre BBQ I've had of late. So, with spring sprung, and summer quickly upon us, perhaps I'll have to get motivated and make some BBQ myself. As further motivation, I recently celebrated my 33rd birthday - for which I received various gifts of money for which I had no specific plans. Thats all changed!

The other day I ran to Kroger to pick up a few items for my wife. As I was heading to the checkout, I came across a small section of gas grills that caught my eye. Thats when I discovered my next purchase...The Char-Griller Duo. This unit is the best of all worlds - a gas grill - a charcoal grill - and, with a $60 attachment, a texas-style smoker.



My goal this week is to clean off the back deck at the house, preasure wash it, and remove my old grill and chairs. All of which to provide my soon to be new friend a nice and clean new home...

:)

Here's to a happy and productive summer of endless grilled / smoked items.

The Search for Smoke Leads South

After my disappointing experience at Ott's BBQ in Knoxville on Friday, the family headed out to Cleveland, TN on Saturday as my cousin was graduating from Lee University. After all the festivities finished, including a small family reunion and a brief tour around the alma matter, we decided to visit a local BBQ joint as the taste for BBQ had not fully been quenched on the previous day.

The wife and kids has eaten at a place called Jordan's BBQ before on one of their trips to visit Uncle Brad. My oldest had enjoyed a peanut butter and banana sandwich her last visit and aggressively suggested we go back their so she could partake of another. Having never been there myself, and the fact that my wife said it was good, I was agreeable.

The facility was what I would expect for a locally owned BBQ joint, had great atmosphere, and smelled of smoke! Ah, now this is how its supposed to be... Anyway, I ordered the combo dinner with ribs and a smoked chicken breast, corn-on-the-cob, and their hot slaw. Notice the semi healthy option for a side dish... Even better is that when the food came out, it actually covered the plate and didn't cost nearly as much as the trips to Ott's.

I have to say, I'm much more of a baby back ribs kind of person and Jordan's serves spareribs. Nevertheless, their ribs were very tender, had a good sauce (not great), and had a semi smokey flavor. The smoked chicken breast was very moist and tender, yet again, just a slightly smokey taste. The sides, well, they were sides...not a huge fan of the hot slaw and the corn was .... corn.

I would certainly eat there again and it was much better than Ott's. However, my top three or four BBQ favorite eating destinations are still secure in their rankings...

Ott's to keep driving!

Being a BBQ enthusist, I've been eager for the famed Ott's BBQ to reopen. For months I've saw blogs of folks recounting just how great the sauce was. Having opened last week, the Prodigal Pig, yours truly, made the trip over the hill (If the wind blows just right I can smell the smoker cooking) to see what this Ott's was all about.

The renovations to the resteraunt looked fantastic - although somewhat upscale from many of the BBQ joints I've frequented. Since it was a nice evening, the family decided to sit outside on the patio. Having two smaller kids, I gave my wife my order and then took the kids outside to get situated.

I should have know something was wrong with the place shortly after my wife appeared on the patio with "the" look. You know the look, the one where something was expensive or where she just encountered bad service of some sort. Turns out that in order to finance the renovations, Ott's has set their prices too high and skimped on the amount of meat they include.

Having recently acquired a taste for french food, I still held out hope in that sometimes small portions of excellent quality food more than make up the difference. Since I've been on a diet and exercise campaigne, I didn't really need the USUAL amount of pork I have been known to consume. Which brings me to another negative point...not a single available side dish had the hint of being healty (no side salad, green beans, corn-on-the-cob, etc.). So I opened up the sandwhich and was amazed at the lack of pork. Nevertheless, I charged on. The first bite of my sandwhich was nothing spectacular, in fact, not even half-way good. The pulled pork had very little, if any, smokey flavor. Further, the meat had large pieces of fat still attached. Hoping that the sauce would add value to the meat, I grabbed a bottle and covered the bun liberally...what a mistake. The sauce, to me, had an overwhelming pepper taste...

So, my first trip (and perhaps only) to Ott's was a HUGE disappointment! As the title suggests, perhaps next time I "Ott's" to just keep driving...for further down the road is Buddy's BBQ which, in my humble opinion, is MUCH MUCH better and less expensive. Better yet, continue on to Famous Dave's or the Bread of Heaven.

WAIT! Don't Hesitate!

This morning as I was walking on the Treadmill, I had a revelation. The Bible states that "They that WAIT upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." The part that we often miss is that once he says GO, we are not supposed to hesitate. Obedience requires immediate action, no second guessing...

With that in mind, I saw on WBIR (local Knoxville news station) last night that my beloved BBQ joint (Bread of Heaven) has reopened for business. I've WAITED nearly three months for them to reopen...and...today, I will not HESITATE to renew my love of their BBQ chicken and greens.

See the report at the following URL:

Bread of Heaven Video on WBIR

P.S. - This apology goes out to my treadmill for what I am about to require of you to compensate for my trip to BBQ Heaven!