I missed Trouble's comment the first time round asking if I had ever done a Top 10 of barbecue joints. I did, a month or so after Dining@Large started, so it was a couple of years ago. It's definitely time to update the list.

If you have any suggestions for additions or deletions, please post them below.

Also, Metromix just did a good list, but it still might not be a bad idea to draw up my own list again because it goes into the Top 10 database to the right. Take a look at the Metromix story, and tell me what you'd add or subtract. The big problem is that it isn't really a Top 10 once you get past the top three or four, it's more a "these are the best we could come up with."

(Amy Davis/Sun photographer)

Posted by Elizabeth Large at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (60)
Categories: Bar-B-Que
        

This fine Bucky's World is the third in a triumphant triumvirate of guest posts about Memorial Day.  What? Owl Meat's Funtastic Thursday yesterday wasn't about Memorial Day? Well, that's because I didn't publish his Memorial Day post. It's tempting to blame him because he put "date: whenever" in the subject line of the one I DID publish; but since the other was right there in my inbox, too, I don't think I could get away with it. So we'll be getting a bonus Funtastic this Monday. Meanwhile, here's Bucky. EL

I have a theory that nothing is all good or all bad.  Take, for example, polka music.  Mostly bad, except that the “Chicken Dance” is fun when you’re at a wedding reception that has an open bar.  Bacon…mostly good, right up until your left arm goes numb and that elephant sits down on your chest.
 
See how this theory works? ...

Continue reading "Memorial Day BBQ in the Arctic" »

Posted by Elizabeth Large at 9:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (33)
        

This Shallow Thought Wednesday, a beautiful and poetic ode to the pleasures of Memorial Day and summer, may be one of the finest pieces guest poster John Lindner has ever written for us. The photo not so much. EL

Some men barbecue. Others grill.

The wizards, philosophers, theologians, alchemists and related mad scientists of barbecue (of which there are about eight distinct spellings, all correct as far as I can tell) know things. They are shamans of not just heat, but of the quality of heat. To them, the fuel that feeds the flames over which they cook is an indispensible ingredient, a seasoning rudimentary and reliable as salt. They have evolved intricate psychological profiles of those who were raised in dry rub families versus those whose forebears apply “sauce.” They hold contests.

Grillers paint with broader strokes. The pinnacle of their art is demonstrated in performing, simultaneous, the feats of flipping a burger and taking a good long pull from a beer. Over the course of summer, their arms lack hair from knuckles to elbows. ...

Continue reading "Meditation on a Memorial Day sacrament" »

Posted by Elizabeth Large at 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (45)
Categories: Bar-B-Que
        

"We barbecue everything but the baby. We boil him." Big Shoe's, Terra Haute, Ind. That's one of three "Great Barbecue-Joint Slogans" in the new edition of Real Barbecue, by Vince Staten and Greg Johnson, first published 20 years ago. (It quickly became a barbecue bible.) The others are "You don't need teeth to eat Mr. Jim's beef," from Mr. Jim's Barbecue in LA, and -- yes -- "Hogs smell better barbecued" from our own Andy Nelson's Southern Pit Barbecue.

Andy Nelson's is one of two Maryland places reviewed in the book. The other is Johnny Boy's Ribs in La Plata. This is where I would usually ask if anyone reading this has eaten there; but frankly I don't think I would get any takers. From the photo it looks like one of those places that you either live in La Plata or you have to be writing a book on barbecue to find it. ...

(Robert K. Hamilton/Sun Photographer)

Continue reading "Real Barbecue" »

Posted by Elizabeth Large at 6:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Bar-B-Que
        

(Chiaki Kawajiri/Sun Photographer)

I'm hoping that someone who knows more about Texas barbecue than I thought I did will be able to discuss this with John. Any thoughts?

Just read your review of Rub on Light Street "Something's smoking at Rub". 
As a dislocated Texan I look forward to trying this place out.  However...
one quick comment.  You wrote:

But the barbecue is authentic enough, with dry rubs, an oak wood smoker and long hours of slow cooking.

For the record... authentic is not OAK smoked.  There is only one true Texas smoke flavor and that is mesquite.  If there are beans in the chili and the wood isn't mesquite smoked... well... it just isn't Texan.

Thanks for the review... have a great week.

John

Posted by Elizabeth Large at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Bar-B-Que
        

(Elizabeth Malby/Sun Photographer)

I’m originally from Tennessee, so I should know more about barbecue than any of you Northerners who live in Maryland, but I don’t. Plus I don’t get to as many barbecue joints as I’d like to, because I’m too busy reviewing “finer” restaurants.

With a little help from my friends —mainly Happy Eater Rob Kasper and Marty Katz, who says his business card says “BBQ Research” and swears it’s a tough gig — I compiled this list for today’s Top Ten Tuesday. The places aren’t in any particular order, and they aren’t really favorites this week. It’s more that if you’re doing BBQ research, you ought to visit each of these at least once...

Continue reading "Piggly Wiggly" »

Posted by Elizabeth Large at 5:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: Bar-B-Que, Top Ten Tuesdays
        

In honor of Memorial Day, next week's Top Ten Tuesday will be local places to get good barbecue.  This isn't my area of expertise, so I'll see if I can get Rob to do my work for me consult with my colleague Rob Kasper, who writes the Happy Eater column, before I make up my list.

Suggestions welcome! Please post below.

(Elizabeth Malby/Sun Photographer)

Posted by Elizabeth Large at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Bar-B-Que, Top Ten Tuesdays