In this episode we do something we’ve never done: interview each other. We chose ten random questions to ask one another with neither of us having any indication as to what the questions would be before recording.

This is a fun one that goes off on some tangents and includes a challenge we hope Daniel Vaughn takes us up on!

We’ve been asked what excites us to keep exploring barbecue after all these years. It’s not a simple question to answer because it’s evolved during our over decade long obsessions with barbecue. In this episode we go a bit down the rabbit hole of trying to explain what originally excited us, what interests us today, and how that has changed throughout our journey.

 

There may be no more majestic setting to cook barbecue than along the Columbia River Gorge in Hood River, Oregon. It is here that Brendon, Drew and Sam put down roots for their business, Grasslands Barbecue. Serving up superb smoked meats and seasonal scratch made sides, this trio is producing some of the best Texas influenced barbecue you’re likely to find not just outside of the Lone Star State, but the quality they’re providing would stand up against some of the best in Texas as well.

Check the calendar on Grasslands website for their schedule which includes some exciting events and collaborations in addition to their regular service.

Instagram: grasslands_barbecue
Website: grasslandsbarbecue.com

 

Amir Jalali started his barbecue career learning the business and operational aspects at the great Feges BBQ, struck up a friendship which turned into a job at the phenomenal Goldee’s Bar-B-Q, and eventually opened his own place back in his hometown of Port Neches, Texas.

With a menu of expertly smoked proteins and scratch made sides and desserts, Redbird BBQ is off to a roaring start as one of the best new barbecue spots to open in the state in recent years.

Instagram: redbirdbbq
1104 Port Neches Ave
Port Neches, TX
Open Fri-Sun 11a-3p

 

Zain Shafi turned a curiosity into a passion and eventually a business in Sabar BBQ. Zain blends together the Pakistani flavors he grew up with alongside the familiar Texas barbecue staples. With seasonal, flavorful sides and well cooked proteins, Sabar is a great addition to the stellar Fort Worth barbecue scene.

Instagram: sabarbbq
Open Saturdays 11a-3p (or sold out)

194 Bryan Avenue, Fort Worth

 

Season 5 of Tales from the Pits is finally underway! More episodes from the best and brightest in the barbecue world are headed your way, and tune in to this episode for details on our new project, Cookfire Tales.

A video series focused on the passionate people from all avenues of the food world who play a role in the food that ends up on your plate, with Cookfire Tales we’re going to give you wide ranging behind the scenes views of different types of cuisine and the role fire plays in so many of them. The dedicated farmers, forgers, harvesters, chefs, and artisans carrying on and evolving traditions inspires us and we know will fascinate you too.

Join us on the journey:

Instagram: cookfiretales
Twitter/X: cookfiretales
YouTube Channel coming soon!

 

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign yourself up for their monthly BBQ subscription box service or better yet sign up your BBQ obsessed loved one as a great gift for the holidays!   Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.    2023 was another great year for BBQ and more. Tune in for a rundown on some of our most memorable meals and experiences, discussion on the current and future BBQ landscape, and our plans for 2024!  

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign yourself up for their monthly BBQ subscription box service or better yet sign up your BBQ obsessed loved one as a great gift for the holidays!

Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.  

There is a lot we’re thankful for right now in barbecue. From the craft pioneers who began expanding the boundaries of what barbecue could be to the new class who keeps pushing the cuisine forward while being mindful of its roots, it’s an amazing time in barbecue filled with immense talent. 

 

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new monthly BBQ subscription box service!
Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   Far West Texas is one of the most magical regions of the state to visit for a number of reasons, but until recently barbecue wasn’t one of them. That has changed in recent years and Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue is a big reason why.

Phillip Moellering came to Marathon for school and never left, having worked at the beautiful Gage Hotel for 14 years and in 2018 opening Brick Vault. With a strong menu of quality sides, craft sausage and meats produced by Phillip, Jerek Lara and the Brick Vault that pair well with their award winning housemade beers created by brewmaster Amy Oxenham, Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue is an oasis as you arrive at the gateway to Big Bend.

Instagram: brickvaultbreweryandbbq
Thurs-Fri: 5p-9p
Saturday: 12p-9p
Sunday: 12p-5p  

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new BBQ subscription box service!
Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram. They’re bringing the best of Texas barbecue to the world!     The west Texas barbecue landscape has experienced immense growth over the last several years with a great mix of regionality, history, and craft that have lead to interesting menus and delicious food. We gathered several of the business owners leading the charge for a roundtable discussion on their careers, the industry, and some of the challenges they face. 
Instagram accounts for each roundtable participant:   Evie Mae’s - eviemaesbbq Rejino BBQ - rejinobbq Tom and Bingo’s - tomandbingosbbq Hill Barbecue - hill_barbecue  Friends BBQ - friendsbbq_lbk Pitforks  and Smoke Rings - pitforks_and_smokerings_bbq  

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new monthly BBQ subscription box service!
Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   As we approach our 200th episode we take a look back at the memorable guests, episodes and experiences from the first six years of the podcast.    Take a stroll down memory lane as we reflect on our time documenting the barbecue world. Thank you for all of the support for so many years and let’s all keep supporting barbecue!   As always, if you visit or purchase from a business you've heard on our show, please let them know!