Archive for the ‘BBQ’ Category
Well we are back from a wonderful weekend in Nashville celebrating my lil’ brother’s wedding. Needless to say due to the business of all of that I apologize that this post is a little bit tardy.
Pop Culture Cuisine is officially a year old and we can hardly believe how fast time has flown! Adam and I have loved incorporating all these wonderful culinary adventures into our travels, mostly because of the great memories it has made for us. We have compiled a list of some of our favorite and not so favorite spots to share with you with links so you can read our reviews for yourself. We love food and hope to continue to share lots of great finds with you all along the way.
SIGNATURE DISH
1. Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous’ “Ribs” – Memphis, TN
2. Round Rock Donuts’ “Round Rock Donut” – Round Rock, TX
3. Lucky’s Sandwich Co.’s “Stuffed Sandwich” – Chicago, IL
TASTE
1. The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX
2. Louie’s – Dallas, TX
3. Twisted Root – Dallas, TX
AMBIANCE
1. The Silver Palm – Chicago, IL
2. Keller’s Drive-in – Dallas, TX
3. The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX
SERVICE
1. Blue Ash Chili – Anna – Blue Ash, OH
2. Pinkberry – Christine – Orlando, FL
3. Avila’s – Dallas, TX
PRICE
1. The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX
2. Keller’s Drive-in – Dallas, TX
3. Blue Ash Chili – Blue Ash, OH
OVERALL TOP 5
1. The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX
2. Manny’s Delicatessen – Chicago, IL
3. Keller’s Drive-in – Dallas, TX
4. Blue Ash Chili – Blue Ash, OH
5. Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous – Memphis, TN
TOP 5 BIGGEST LET DOWNS…NOT WORTH THE HYPE!
1. Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Q – Memphis, TN
2. Willie Mae’s Scotch House – New Orleans, LA
3. Acme Oyster House – New Orleans, LA
4. Drago’s Seafood – New Orleans, LA
5. Juan in a Million – Austin, TX
BEST OF THE REST…HONORABLE MENTION
Best Burger – Twisted Root – Dallas, TX
Best Pizza – Giordano’s – Chicago, IL
Best Sandwich – Lucky’s Sandwich Co. – Chicago, IL
Best BBQ – The Salt Lick – Driftwood, TX
Best Bar Food – J. Gilligan’s “Irish Nachos” – Arlington, TX
Best Cocktail – Pat O’Brien’s “Hurricane” – New Orleans, LA
Most Outrageous Dish – The Silver Palm’s “Three Little Pigs Sandwich” – Chicago, IL
We have a back log of restaurants that we still need to feature and I was shocked when I realized a couple of weeks ago that I still had not talked about this next joint. You all know by now how much we love barbeque, and since we moved back up North, we unfortunately are lacking in that department. This next spot was so memorable that we couldn’t stop talking or thinking about it long after…even now; and this is why we were so shocked when I realized it has been almost six months and we still had not filled all you PCC-ers in on the awesomeness of The Salt Lick. So here we go…
In the small town of Driftwood, Texas (just outside Austin), Scott Thurman and his wife Hisako opened this pit barbecue spot in 1967. Starting off small, he and his sons built a huge pit, where Thurman would stay and cook, and stay with that pit until all the meat sold. Eventually, they built a screened in porch around the pit and The Salt Lick has only grown from there, becoming so popular that they now serve their barbeque to thousands each and every week (actually, the full story of how The Salt Lick and its open pit method came to be is quite interesting, which you can read about here).
So, although we lived in Texas, we were not really familiar with this spot until we saw in on an episode of Travel Channel’s "Man vs. Food"; and we have since seen it on previous Travel Channel shows like "Chowdown Countdown" (#1 for BBQ and #7 OVERALL) and "BBQ Paradise." But after that first feature on "Mav v. Food," we knew it was only a matter of time before we made a road trip to visit our friends in Austin and The Salt Lick. See for yourself…
Dang…it just looks so amazing every time! Now we’ve had plenty of barbeque; and especially when we lived in Dallas, barbeque seemed to be a staple in our diet. However, after seeing that clip, we knew this place had to be tried to see if it would overtake some of the other great ‘Que we’ve had. Lucky for us, it was not long after we watched that episode that we were planning a trip to Austin to visit our friends Dario and Jaclyn; and because the Salt Lick is located a little bit outside of the city, we decided we would hit it up on our way out of town after the visit.
So it was lunchtime on Sunday when we pulled in, and it is pretty breathtaking right from the start. This is no small operation anymore. In fact, they have two large buildings set up…one is a large scale dining/banquet hall for parties (complete with country store), with the other serving as the main restaurant. It truly is an amazing bbq complex…
We put our name in and had a little bit of a wait, but the surroundings are so beautiful and it was such a nice day that we didn’t mind. But I’ll tell you what…it is well worth the wait, because it made us all the more hungry! So when our name was finally called, I was so excited I could hardly contain myself!
What is so great about this place is although it has grown in notoriety, it still has the same feeling of a small down home joint. When you walk inside, you literally walk right by the pit and they even let you back by it to take pictures…I mean how cool is that? And all the tables are simple picnic tables…nothing fancy. You feel like you are right where you should be eating barbecue, in a backyard! So after we were seated and quickly perused the menu, we knew right away we would be ordering the “family style” option. This give you the chance to try all their barbecue specialties and as much as you can stomach…which for us is often a lot; and luckily it was not long before the wonderfulness showed up…
We were definitely sufficiently stuffed after we had our waiter bring us a few different platefuls, but it was well worth it; and although I don’t usually condone over-eating, this was definitely one of those meals that it is hard to stop enjoying the flavors! So let’s just say that we kept on enjoying long after we probably should….those faces below describe exactly how we felt….stuffed!
So I guess it’s safe to assume that we really like Salt Lick’s take on BBQ, and a unique take at that. What makes this barbeque so unique isn’t just how the meat is cooked, but their sauce is nothing like any I have ever had before. This sauce has a very distinct Asian influence, which I guess would make sense since seeing as Thurman’s wife is from Japan, who I’m sure played a large role in Thurman’s famous take on barbecue dishes. So although sauce is sort of a "no-no" in Texas, the sauce is so unique and flavorful, you definitely want it in every bite…which you get from all the basting that goes on! In fact, we liked it so much, we even bought a bottle to take home. 😉
SIGNATURE DISH: Even if you only checked out the pictures on this post, I think you would have a grasp at what the Salt Lick is known for! Still, this is not just any backyard barbeque. The Salt Lick is PIT BARBECUE. And like any good Texas barbeque joint they have it all…sausage, brisket, and best of all ribs!
TASTE: This barbecue is….AWESOME!!!! It is cooked perfectly over the pit and gets those lovely charred burnt ends (which I LOVE!). But, along with the meat is their signature sauce that is out of this world tasty and like nothing you have ever had before. The Asian sauce perfectly complements the fatty crusty meat. Even their sides are great…but just make sure you save room because the meat is truly where it’s at.
AMBIANCE: I mentioned above that this spot is everything you want a barbeque restaurant to be. Not stuffy, not fancy…simply just a roof over your head where you can enjoy your barbeque at a picnic table…inside. Surrounded by hundreds of others enjoying the experience, it really feels like you are all there together enjoying the best "family barbeque” you can imagine.
PRICE: As far as barbeque goes, this spot is a little pricier than others. However, no one seems to bat an eye, cause this place was packed with a line to boot! So, obviously they have realized that their customers will pay for a better product and good quality, which I’m starting to find is a trend at some of these places…gotta love capitalism ;). On the other hand, it is really reasonable if you go for the "family dining" option and have a good appetite. We paid $18.95 per person for our all you can eat feast, and we definitely got our money’s worth. I mean, for all the meat you can possibly stomach, it really isn’t a bad deal.
SERVICE: Just like their ambiance, this place is built to be hospitable. From the hostesses to the cooks (who you can chat with while standing by the pit) to our waiter, everyone treats you as if you are in their home. Our waiter, especially, was quick, helpful, and promptly kept bringing us more meat. He did a great job of helping us to gorge ourselves….and we are thankful.
Almost immediately, this barbeque spot moved to the top of the list as one of our most favorites; and since dining there we haven’t had anything near as good (and unfortunately likely won’t for awhile). Still, we know it will be around for a long time to come; and just like Thurman hoped, we will plan to hopefully bring our generations back. So although we don’t give out a lot of perfect scores on PCC…when we do, you know it is worth it (and it also seems to be somewhat related to barbecue…hmmmm. 😉 So since we loved The Salt Lick so much, we are giving it 5 ‘Little Piggies’!
It is abundantly clear…I love me some barbecue! So much so that I have made it a life mission to try every hot spot that I hear about, especially ones that are known for their ribs. That being said, I have been very lucky to live in a state (Texas) that provides its inhabitants with so much of it. So sadly, it is a bit bittersweet that as we are Indiana bound this week and will be leaving Dallas for good, we are a bit sad about leaving all the yummy barbecue behind. Let’s just say that Indiana ain’t really known for their barbecue. ;)
However, Texas is not the only state that boasts in this area; and in fact we have visited of variety of other spots on are travels. One of the first we featured for you was Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, a notorious Memphis hot spot where we had a lackluster experience. But don’t discount the Neely name just yet. In fact, the next spot we want to feature boasts the same family name, but are far from alike. Yes, these Neely’s are in fact one in the same, Uncle and Nephews. However, where they are similar in name, they are very different in taste.
Barbecue has long been a part of the Neely family. Pat Neely learned the family business at a young age from his Uncle Jim, and he and his three brothers went to work for their uncle. Although Pat learned a great deal from his uncle, he had aspirations to branch out on his own, with his own twists on the famous family recipes. Thus, Neely’s Bar-B-Que was created in 1988 by the Neely Brothers; Gaelin, Tony, Mark and Patrick, with the first opening in downtown Memphis. By 2001, their brand of bbq had become so popular, they were able to expand with a restaurant in Nashville, which is how we we discovered the Neely name. Shortly after meeting Adam, we happened upon a show we quickly fell in love with…Travel Channel’s “Road Tasted” hosted by Jaime and Bobby Deen, the sons of legendary Food Network icon Paula Deen; and which oddly enough eventually went on to be hosted by the Neely’s (husband and wife) themselves! The show featured the Deen brothers traveling around the country showcasing a variety of restaurants and local food favorites in a variety of cities; and one place they happened to check out was the restaurant of family friends of their mom, Neely’s Bar-B-Que. It was after that first glimpse of their famous ribs and even more famous barbecue spaghetti that I knew it was on the list of must visits. Lucky for us, we were going to be paying a visit to my brother in Nashville not long after; and since Adam couldn’t get this concept of barbecue spaghetti out of his head (keeping in mind that we had not yet been to Interstate at this time…circa 2007), we knew we HAD to go there.
Now since we were visiting the third locale of Neely’s Bar-B-Que, it was clear that this location is newer and much larger than how their original counterparts were described. But upon entering it still has that wonderful feel of true bbq joint. A large board menu is visible and it is easy to see and smell the appeal of this place. We also were able to notice that a couple of the brothers themselves were working that day. It is nice to know that although they have become famous, they still want to know how their own restaurant is operating day-to-day. We perused the menu, but really already knew what we wanted…ribs and bbq spaghetti. However, this location also features their BBQ Baked Potatoes, something I really wanted to give a go after seeing them make it on an episode of “Paula Party” where Paula Deen had the entire Neely family as her guests and the two families competed in a southern BBQ cook-off. This Neely’s creation won my vote…
Photo Source: http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/07/06/IP0203_Neely_BBQ_Baked_Potato_lg.jpg
I mean a potato stuffed with cheese and bbq meat…what’s not to like! It really was very good, and I know if given the chance, I’d get it again. What a concept…pulled pork in a baked potato with all the fixens’…YUM!
The barbecue spaghetti was also really good, and in retrospect, is far superior to it’s creator across town. Being the noodle nut that Adam is, he really enjoyed it; and this is just one example of how Pat’s twists on the traditional Neely family recipes taught to him by his uncle have worked out well. The ribs…although EXTREMELY messy, very good; and I would rank them in my top 10 of all-time ribs…and I’ve had A LOT of them! :D 
Photo Sources: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SYIwwsvNixM/S74bP_LCxYI/AAAAAAAAIoc/PcB_g5AR4Rk/s1600/Interstate+BBQ+Beef+Ribs.jpg
http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/07/06/IP0203_Neely_BBQ_Spaghetti_lg.jpg
One thing to note is that we visited Neely’s Bar-B-Que prior to their uncles famed spot, Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que. However, I can safely say we enjoyed it SOOOOOO much better. One thing for sure, we were openly welcomed right in and treated like any patron would want to be. I mean…Gaelin Neely even stopped to speak with us and ask how we were enjoying ourselves. It was a great experience…and we got his autograph (nerds!) :) Anyhow, on top of that, the atmosphere was great and the food tasted significantly better! We all agreed, a wonderful treat, and clearly a meal to dig into and enjoy.
Our visit to the Neely’s restaurant was pre-blog and long before the thought had really ever entered my mind. But one thing was for sure, it did spark a common interest between Adam and I and our love of food. This was also pre-engagement, so little did we know then that our common interest would bloom into a marriage full of it (and it also happened to be the weekend he asked my dad for my hand…yay!!! :)).
Still, because it did bloom into a full blown food critiquing blog, here we go with my review on a pop culture cuisine family’s “Pop Culture Cuisine” restaurant…
SIGNATURE DISH: The entire Neely family, uncles and nephews alike, have a very long history in bbq; and although they are often known for their ribs, the dish that truly sets them apart is their barbecue spaghetti. This is a dish that is truly unique to this family and one I have never seen duplicated, especially since my foodie world has exploded in the past few years. Also, Neely Brothers Bar-B-Que is the only place I’ve experienced a barbecue baked potato…so there you go again.
TASTE: What sets them apart from their uncle is the taste. They have definitely tweaked his recipes and made them their own; and I must say we enjoyed them a whole lot better. While they still serve a traditional wet Memphis style rib, their sauce had a much less ketchupy taste than their uncles and complemented their meat quite well. Although I have found in my experience that I much prefer a lighter vinegar based sauce, theirs did have a unique taste I did enjoy. In addition, the other dishes we ordered besides our ribs, also were a truly unique and tasty experience. The baked potato was especially a treat. It was creamy, meaty, cheesy, and overall took a plain ol’ potato and gave it life! As for the barbecue spaghetti…although good, I must admit that it was not my favorite dish, either place I tried it. I think I just don’t like the combination of those flavors, although Adam seemed to enjoy it.
AMBIANCE: As I said, I love bbq joints, and this one does not disappoint. Although simple, the atmosphere is lively and fun. This particular location is very open and could easily accommodate a large crowd and even had a special Nashville flair. Also, the Nashville location is right on the river, so the view is amazing!
SERVICE: Let’s just say that those Neely brothers know how to cater to their guests. This is the type of place where you place your order at the counter and they call you when your food is ready. We did not have to deal with a waiter, but everything we asked for they were happy to oblige us. Aside from our encounter with the Neely’s themselves, they seemed pleased to have us, and sometimes that is all I need.
PRICE: There prices seemed to align with almost every other bbq spot I have been to past and present. Then again…we did not pay on this particular visit. Upon looking at their menu online, they seem a bit steep, but still reasonable for how much food they provide you with. Regardless, I guarantee you will not leave hungry.
So although it’s been awhile since our visit and this is not the freshest place in my foodie mind, I was very happy with our trip to Neely’s Bar-B-Que; and I give them 4 ‘Little Piggies.’
