Tales From The Pits, A Texas Bbq Podcast

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 a

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 - pitf

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!  

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! The first box featuring Blood Bros BBQ ships in July! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   Marvin Ross is a fifth generation farmer owning and operating Peculiar Pig Farm on some of the same land his family has been farming on for over a century. When Hector Garate started Palmira Barbecue, he quickly learned there was only one source for pigs that he would want to use.     

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! The first box featuring Blood Bros BBQ ships in July! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   Cooper Abercrombie took his initial curiosity with barbecue, turned it into a passion and obsession and in a few years developed it into one of the best new barbecue spots to open in recent memory. Bar A BBQ opened their brick and mortar in February 2023 in Montgomery, Texas with all of the barbecue staples plus some of the Abercrombie family’s staple comfort food sides and breakfast options.    Whether it’s a homemade kolache, well smoked brisket, specials, or perfectly made house sausages, you can’t go wrong with a full tray from Bar A.    21149 Eva St. Montgomery, TX 77356 www.barabbq.com

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 launching this summer! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   We were elated to once again sit down at the Charleston Wine and Food Festival with esteemed author and culinary historian Robert Moss. Tune in for a wide ranging discussion on the food and drink history of commercial dining in the south, Robert’s job as the restaurant critic for Post and Courier, and of course his role as contributing barbecue editor for Southern Living.    Robert’s incredibly well-researched books are a must read for any food lover and his knowledge on all things in the southern culinary realm are enlightening.    Order Robert’s books via https://www.robertfmoss.com/   Plan your trip to next year’s Charles

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!  Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram! —————————————————————-   Nick and Elliott Reese got bit by the BBQ bug while going to school in Austin. Their journey took them to far west Texas but eventually brought them back to their hometown San Antonio to launch Reese Bros BBQ. With a menu that has a great San Antonio flair to it, the Reeses and their talented kitchen team have helped continue to elevate the barbecue scene in the Alamo city.   Instagram: reesebrosbbq Website: reesebrosbbq.com  

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!  Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram!   Shuai and Corrie Wang were ready for a change after years working in New York City restaurants. They’d settled on their next move being to Charleston to open a new restaurant with a friend, but when those plans fell through shortly after uprooting their lives, the Wangs struck out on their own.    After opening Short Grain food truck to much acclaim and success, Shuai and Corrie set their sights on a brick and mortar. The concept for the restaurant grew over time to something deeply personal for Shuai, and that’s reflected all over the menu at Jackrabbit Filly. Featuring the food he grew up eating and being influenced by, the menu is a fun and delicious mix of cultures and techniques which makes

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!  Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram!   LeRoy and Lewis BBQ has become one of the most influential and revered barbecue businesses in the industry. What Evan LeRoy and Sawyer Lewis have built since launching their food truck in 2017 has left an undeniable impression on the barbecue world not only for the quality of the food they produce, but also for the manner in which they operate their business.  Evan and Sawyer have fostered a working environment within their staff that encourages collaboration and growth all while staying true to their mantra of responsible product sourcing and usage. These principles have influenced countless barbecue businesses operating today and lead to deserved recognition and accolades for LeRoy and Lewis

Charleston continues to be one of our favorite food cities to visit, and the Charleston Wine + Food Festival is one of the great gateways to exploring the scene. We were fortunate to be invited to this event again in 2023 and had an absolutely wonderful time both at the festival events and eating around the city. Tune in to hear about plenty of barbecue and other culinary delights we were able to partake in this year. An enormous thanks to the Charleston Wine + Food team for giving us such a great platform to continue to highlight both the festival and the city. Start planning now to get to the festival  March 6-10, 2024! Instagram: chswineandfood Website: Charlestonwineandfood.com  

Tom Micklethwait has been at the forefront of the modern barbecue movement that has taken place in the last decade. From high quality meats to well made sides and condiments, Micklethwait Craft Meats has been serving all of the staples we’ve come to associate with craft barbecue since their beginning.   As they celebrated ten years in business we sat down with Tom to discuss his career, the current state of barbecue, and his latest venture, Saddle Up, located next door to the barbecue trailer.   We're proud to partner with Pitts and Spitts for this episode. Please visit www.pittsandspitts.com/tales and use promo code tales for a special spice rub inclusion with your purchase of $500 or more from this trusted Houston pit builder.     Micklethwait Craft Meats Thu-Sun 11a - sold out  Website: craftmeatsaustin.com Instagram: craftmeats   Saddle Up Thu-Sun 10a - 5p Instagram: saddleupaustin  

For our last episode of season three we took a look back at another incredible year in barbecue and highlight some of our favorite bites and memories from a busy 2022. Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors, listeners and guests for making this year so amazing!   We're proud to partner with Pitts and Spitts for this episode. Please visit www.pittsandspitts.com/tales and use promo code tales for a special spice rub inclusion with your purchase of $500 or more from this trusted Houston pit builder.   We have begun planning for 2023. If you know of a place we need to get to, or get back to please reach out and let us know!  

Christopher Prieto, aka The Barbecue Nerd, has had one of the more unique journeys through the barbecue world that you’re likely to find. From his storied competition cooking career to his work with veterans and opening his first restaurant, Christopher’s story of faith, determination and service is an inspiring one. If you’re anywhere near the Raleigh, North Carolina area, Prime BBQ is a must stop for Christopher’s menu of inspired barbecue meats and sides. Restaurant Instagram: primebbq Christopher’s Instagram: barbecue_nerd https://prime-bbq.com/ 403 KNIGHTDALE STATION RUN KNIGHTDALE, NC 27545 Open TUES-SAT 11:00-SOLD OUT

During our recent trip to Kentucky we decided to record a special bonus episode about our bourbon experience including a blind tasting we each did. The moral of the story for bourbon with us is this: drink what you like, not what the internet tells you to like! Tune in to hear the details and please give us some feedback on the episode. We are always going to be a barbecue podcast, but it’s fun to explore other topics from time to time.  

We are fans of the crafts of butchery and were pleased to spend time with some of the crew at Red Hog Artisan Meat in Louisville, Kentucky on a recent road trip. Butchery, charcuterie, and dry aging are on full display at Red Hog. Their restaurant and butcher shop provides Louisville an outlet for the highest quality meats both for home cooking purposes or for top notch restaurant meal.  Aaron Sortman, James Andrews, and Dustin Olsen are three of the key members of this ambitious operation that breaks down whole animals, cures a variety of pork cuts, and dry ages beef for Red Hog’s restaurant and meat counter. Tune in to hear their story which includes a barbecue component as Dustin and crew are doing monthly BBQ services at Red Hog! Red Hog: http://www.redhogartisanmeat.com/ 2622 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 Open Tuesday - Saturday   We're proud to partner with Pitts and Spitts for this episode. Please visit www.pittsandspitts.com/tales and use promo code tales for a special spice rub inclusion with

Brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox grew up in Texas, moved to Atlanta, and over time have built an amazing barbecue footprint in that area. From humble beginnings of backyard barbecue parties to eventually opening their first restaurant, the Fox brothers have continued to grow their business. Now fifteen years into being restaurant owners, they opened a massive second location serving their signature menu of barbecue focused favorites with creative touches. As new opportunities have come about for them to grow their brand, they’ve seized them all while keeping a focus on quality. Never ones to settle, the Fox brothers have now turned their attention to a new counter service style spot they’re building in the Brookhaven area north of Atlanta that’s slated to open in 2023.  

If you've listened to our show you know we love road trips and experiencing different BBQ across the U.S.     We traveled through ten states over six days, traversing over 3,400 miles to try over a dozen barbecue places that served different regional styles and visited multiple distilleries for a variety of different experiences. Tune in to hear what stood out along the way and learn a little bit about the different barbecue and bourbon we got to sample.      We're proud to partner with Pitts and Spitts for this episode. Please visit www.pittsandspitts.com/tales and use promo code tales for a special spice rub inclusion with your purchase of $500 or more from this trusted Houston pit builder.  

We asked our listeners what questions they’d like to ask pitmasters, and as always you came through with some good ones! We sent out questionnaires to several of the best in the barbecue world and many were kind enough to respond.  Want to know what Todd David, Lane Milne, Evan LeRoy, Leonard Botello, Arnis Robbins and Joe Zavala have to say about things like tallow, prime grade beef, reheating brisket, their favorite bites in BBQ and more? Tune in for this fun episode.   We're proud to partner with Pitts and Spitts for this episode. Please visit www.pittsandspitts.com/tales and use promo code tales for a special spice rub inclusion with your purchase of $500 or more from this trusted Houston pit builder.  

Our recent trip to the Rio Grande Valley was filled with so many memorable food experiences. From innovative new school barbecue to classic barbacoa to chef driven tacos and even an over 100 year old gordita place serving out of an alley, it’s a trip we’ll be thinking about for quite some time. We go over all our stops on this trip and highlight all the standouts.   We know the cost of everything in life has gone up considerably over the last few years. Barbecue has certainly not been immune to these rising costs. In this episode we also gives you some tips on how to keep supporting your favorite barbecue places while being mindful that we all have budgets for our disposable income.    We're proud to partner with Pitts and Spitts for this episode. Please visit www.pittsandspitts.com/tales and use promo code tales for a special spice rub inclusion with your purchase of $500 or more from this trusted Houston pit builder.       

One of the fastest growing barbecue scenes in Texas is taking place in the Rio Grande Valley where local pitmasters are showcasing both the popular modern craft style along with menu items and ingredients they grew up with. We had a chance to sit down with many of the great business owners in this area for a special roundtable episode. Check it out!   We're proud to partner with Pitts and Spitts for this episode. Please visit www.pittsandspitts.com/tales and use promo code tales for a special spice rub pack inclusion with your purchase of $500 or more from this trusted Houston pit builder. Follow our roundtable participants on Instagram!   @teddysbarbecue @smokecraftersbbq @gwssbbq @elsanchobbq @hicobbqcompany @tghostbbq