"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 (5)
                    

(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 (11)
                    

(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 (11)
                    

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)