November 11, 2019
The legacy of BBQ is anchored in tradition and multi-generational families, passing methods down from a time when smoking meats with wood was a necessity rather than a luxury.
However in the last 10 years more has changed than likely at any time in history.
It started with higher quality meat sourcing, not just in the grade of meat but including hormone free meat, small farms, and select breeds. In the east and south, some BBQ pit masters are raising their own heritage breed hogs. BBQ restaurant owners are paying more attention to humanely raised and harvested animals.
Sides were elevated, hand crafted desserts added, and even boutique coffee all to bring a richer experience to the BBQ world.
Listen in as we discuss the changes and argue over the nuances within "craft BBQ"
- logo created by DesignEvo free logo designer www.designevo.com/logo-maker
![Ep. 128 - Texas Pickle Company]()
November 4, 2019
Pickles and barbecue have become a strong tradition. Pickling was invented for the same reason meats were salted and smoked; preservation. The acidic pickle also helps digestion of fatty meats.
Most barbecue joints will offer free pickles along with bread and onions as standard condiments but these are off the shelf products, made with artificial dyes and other suspect ingredients. Even though free condiments can cost a BBQ joint thousands of dollars, more and more are moving to a gourmet or in-house made pickle. As craft BBQ elevated the sourcing, quality, and cooking methods of the meats the next area of improvement were the sides and even the free condiments. Some of the best BBQ these days comes complete from end-to-end with high quality sides, in-house or sourced pickles, and even fresh baked bread.
Tom and Jessica Weldin moved to Texas in 2013 and began their journey into pickle making, launching the Texas Pickle Company. Starting simple and small, business has grown as their pickles have continued to sell well and are now available at many Central Market and Total Wine locations as well as select BBQ restaurants.
Catch them online at:
http://www.texaspickleco.com/
https://www.facebook.com/texaspicklecompany/
https://twitter.com/atexaspickle
October 29, 2019
Tejas Burger Joint
A side project on a slow day was the genesis for what would become a standalone business. The second step was a glance at a store window while sitting at a stop light.
Listen in as Scott Moore discusses their signature burgers, launching a new business, and the details of what it takes to make a dream into a reality.
This is the Wendy's Training Video, the music starts at 4:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbVDQKcxg00&t=240s
Tejas Burger Joint
https://www.facebook.com/tejasburgerjoint/
Address: 214 W Main St, Tomball, TX 77375
Hours:
Monday Closed
Tuesday 11AM–8PM
Wednesday 11AM–8PM
Thursday 11AM–8PM
Friday 11AM–9PM
Saturday 11AM–9PM
Sunday 11AM–3PM
This is the Wendy's Training Video, the music starts at 4:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbVDQKcxg00&t=240s
October 21, 2019
Andrew Soto quietly launched his BBQ joint two years ago but the secret is out - he and family are cranking out great BBQ in the small town of Mathis, Texas.
If an article by Daniel Vaughn and making the Texas Monthly Top 25 new BBQ joints wasn't enough to put him on our must-visit list, our buddy Abe Delgado of the I Crush BBQ Show told us to quit procrastinating and make the trip.
After a recent visit we sat down with Andrew to discuss his journey to the top 25, his struggles along the way, and his family that is involved in the operations.
https://www.facebook.com/BUTTERSBBQ/
Address: 104 TX-359, Mathis, TX 78368
Hours:
Sunday 9:30-6 or sell out
Monday-Thursday 11-6 or sell out
October 14, 2019
We take a long overdue road trip to the southern tip of Texas, where barbacoa is king but Central Texas BBQ has continued to take a foothold.
We hit up Butter's, Teddy's, and 1848 BBQ. We even got to take a firsthand gander at the SpaceX Starship prototype. While we did not get to revisit Smoking Oak or stop by Smokin' Moon, we did get to revisit Vera's Backyard Bar-B-Que which still cooks whole cow heads in an literal pit in the ground and is one of our must-experience stops for those who want to sample all kinds of Texas barbecue.
We also get into some good conversation about the candidates for the 2021 Top 50 where there will be an abundance of top quality joints to choose from.
![Ep. 124 - Teddy’s Barbecue]()
October 7, 2019
Joel And Jesse Garcia grew in a barbecue cooking family, and Joel gravitated towards the world of craft barbecue as an adult working in Austin. Joel worked for several acclaimed BBQ joints in Austin while Jesse went to culinary school and began working in fine dining.
When Joel and his wife decided to move back to the Rio Grande Valley area so that their son could grow up closer to family, the reality of Joel and Jesse opening their own place started to become more of a reality. After helping lead another restaurant in the valley to major accolades, the Garcias were ready to open their own place.
Teddy’s Barbecue opened in September 2019 serving traditional central Texas barbecue with some personal touches like their housemade chile pequín sausage. They’re off to a strong start at Teddy’s and are a great addition to the growing South Texas barbecue scene.
Teddy's Barbecue
2807 N Texas Blvd
Weslaco, Texas
(956) 532-6124
Thurs-Sunday 11am - sold out
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TeddysBarbecue/
Twitter https://twitter.com/teddysbarbecue
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/teddysbarbecue/
September 23, 2019
Some recent openings, closings, and moves have occurred in the Texas BBQ world and we catch you up with a number of them. Also tune in for an announcement from Jim Lero of Lillian's BBQ.
We had a great time with the crew from Zavala's BBQ at the Smoked Dallas fest and would like to thank them again for allowing us to lend a hand.
We would like to recognize Tin Roof BBQ for bringing their dual Oyler rig out to Beaumont to help the Giving Bak Foundation, helping to feed first responders and people affected by flooding from tropical storm Imelda.
Hit us up on your favorite social media outlet and make sure to support great BBQ joints, pit builders, and photographers.
September 16, 2019
Ryan Newland's path to pit building started with fabrication. Building unique set designs for Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Pink his innovative work set the stage for custom one-off pits that he would build after moving to Texas.
Probably currently most well known for the hog cookers at Banger's in Austin, he collaborated with Sunny Moberg to build a wild motorized pit for Smoke Draw BBQ that you have to see and his pits are beginning to show up at many well known barbecue joints. From the Santa Maria style live fire grill for Treaty Oak to dual 500's and more, if you can dream it Backline Smokers can build it.
Contact:
http://www.backlinefab.com/
Phone: (818) 481-4157
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backlinefab/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backlinefab/
![Ep. 121 - Sausage 101]()
September 9, 2019
It's taken us three years of making sausage before we felt like we could truly speak on the art of craft sausage. A number of people have asked us to do an episode similar to our Ribs 101 and so here it is - Tales From the Pits Sausage 101. This is a crash course in the basics of making fresh cooked sausage; from what equipment to buy, to the best tips we've learned, and finally we provide a base recipe for you to enhance.
Mentioned in the episode and a great resource is the A&M Creative Sausage Making class.
Here is a link to the class in 2018 that Bryan attended: https://meat.tamu.edu/2018/01/22/2018-creative-sausage-making-course-tamu/
The class is usually held in the second week of January and while not available to register at the time of this episode, the link will be available from here:
https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/
A&M also hosts other valuable courses such as Beef 101 and Pork 101, plus the immensely popular Brisket Camp and Barbecue Camp events which are held in conjunction with Foodways Texas
If you found this episode helpful please take a moment and rate us on your podcast app and let us know on social media:
Twitter: @bbqpodcast
Instagram: TalesFromthePits
![Ep. 120 - Robert J Lerma]()
August 26, 2019
After an enlightening visit to Lockhart and Taylor BBQ joints, Robert Lerma moved to Texas. While holding down a full time job his passion for capturing the essence of Texas barbecue in the people, restaurants, and food launched a photography business that has set him apart as one of the top in the segment. While still maintaining his weekly job his photography gig has taken him across the world. He has built a special bond with those he chooses to work with and has been able to capture moments that are unique and connect with his audience.
Not only have his photos been published in national magazines and elsewhere, you can also see his work hanging in many barbecue joints such as Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville and Corkscrew Barbecue in Spring.
You can purchase directly from his website at http://www.robertjacoblerma.com/online-store/images
Contact:
http://www.robertjacoblerma.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertjacoblerma/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertjacoblerma1
This week's episode is brought to you by our buddies Sean and Ryan at The Smoke Sheet
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