... because you people have absolutely ruined me. I've been on the mainland for almost three weeks and have eaten in at least eight or ten BBQ restaurants (most of them here in the Savannah area). I've made many similar trips over the last several years and have come to the conclusion that, with very few exceptions (most of them in Lockhart, TX), commercial BBQ pretty much sucks.
Granted, we don't do it to feed that many people every day, but there's really no contest. I'm not talking about flavor; that's pretty much a matter of personal preference, but rather the fact that these people don't cook well. The meat isn't properly prepared and is typically tasteless and more often than not, dry. They totally depend on dipping sauce (also usually mediocre) in lieu of proper prep and smoking. In only a few instances have I had anything even remotely comparable to what I've tasted from forum members' grills and smokers or my cooks using your recipes.
It's starting tp make me crazy (crazier?). I know I make gumbo, red beans, and some other Cajun/Creole dishes beter than most places but I can still enjoy those dishes in Louisiana restaurants because they're properly prepared and capture the "essence" of the dish even if "the details" differ from what I prefer and make myself. Unfortunately that's not the case with the BBQ I've been getting. On several occasions I've been with forum members and I wasn't the first to note that the product was totally mediocre and something we'd be embarrased to serve at home.
I will admit that NePas and I had dinner tonight at a place that didn't make their BBQ to my taste (too much reliance on sauces that I didn't really like) but at leat the meats (pork, brisket, ribs) were cooked properly - tender, moist, just smoky enough. That's the first time all week.
Anyway, it's all YOUR fault. The members of this and other similar forums (fora if you're wearing a collared shirt) have turned me into a meat snob. My life is in shambles; I have to order salad when I go out with SWMBO and/or friends so I won't say bad things about the restaurant. On the plus side, I have more time to drink if I'm not disparaging the food.
So, newbies beware! This forum will probably improve your cooking skills considerably but it may wreak havoc on your ability to dine out socially.
Amen!
Ahhhh,quit yur bitchin and go smoke something ;D ;D (but I know what you mean, everytime I try something new that I learn on the forum my wife always complains that it is a master plan to not have to take her out to eat anymore since I am slowly ruining her ability to enjoy the food.
I do believe that BBQ is a dying breed in Norcal. Don't know why. It's the high end foodie places that get all of the attention here. Had some great places in the past, but all are gone now.
I hear ya. Granted the BBQ joints are the worst at being mediocre, but with a few exceptions at high end establishments all foods have decreased in quality over the past 10 to 20 years. At least with BBQ I can produce a much higher quality.
Y'all need to come to Kentucky. Starne's in Paducah is doing just fine. Backwoods BBQ is still rocking it. Moonlite BBQ over towards Owensboro is still killing it. ;D
Quote from: KyNola on May 13, 2012, 08:13:24 PM
Y'all need to come to Kentucky. Starne's in Paducah is doing just fine. Backwoods BBQ is still rocking it. Moonlite BBQ over towards Owensboro is still killing it. ;D
May do that before too much longer.The wife and I have spent a lot of time in Chattanooga, TN over the past few summers (1 to 2 weeks at a time) and have finally seen and done everything we wanted. Even went to some places multiple times. It is now time to move on to another area. The only time I spent in KY other than passing thru was when I was stationed at Ft. Knox for basic training.
amen brother Ka Huna
For all the whining your doing Ka Honu, I sure don't see too many plates with food left on them in any of the pics you and Rick keep posting!! ;D
Quote from: Tenpoint5 on May 14, 2012, 12:15:13 PM... don't see... food left ...
Just trying to be polite and not wasteful (the way my mother taught me).
Heck, You're always welcome to BBQ at my house...
But, Come early...
YOU KNOW HOW CROWDED IT GETS...
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KD0v1JwxoCY/TqLus6oO_rI/AAAAAAAAAZM/yEC_bxT0Czo/s800/IMAG0362.jpg)
PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!!! (AGAIN!!!)
Be careful, VERY CAREFUL, were you go and what people you talk to. Don't let them know your a member of this place or else!
We went to a friends lodge for breakfast the other weekend and I GOT MUGGED!!!
The customers found out it was my sauce and ribs they had awhile back at the spring BBQ at Freds lodge and they told me I would never see home again unless I came up with a repeat by dinner time! ;D It was SCAREY! :o ;D They made me drink lots of rum and wouldn't leave us alone til the grub came out of the smokers.
Anyhow the turtle is right. This place has spoiled many a person. ;)
Snobs or not we sure have had great food because of the folks on this forum. Keep up the good job! :)
Gave up on all restaurants quite a while back. Only go when invited to special occasion or the wife wants a night out. Neither happen but a few times a year. My meats are always better then any I can order any where. And my wifes food and backed goods are the same way. I feel like im being punished eating out. Much prefer home or home cooking.
But the funny part is my relatives and friends are feeling the same way. Any one have a tip on how to get people to leave or not come for dinner? With out ruining the relationship. LOL
This is so true with me and lucky for me my Wife also. Chinese food and Sushi is about all we can handle on the restaurant scene. Sorry you had to drink all that rum Iceman, but I bet your sauce and ribs came out good ----- again. ;)
Quote from: viper125 on May 30, 2012, 02:53:15 PMAny one have a tip on how to get people to leave or not come for dinner? With out ruining the relationship. LOL
After the meal put the plates on the floor and let your dog lick them clean. Casually put the plates back in the cabinet while saying something like, "Glad I won't have to wash these."
After your guests leave take all the plates out of the cabinet and run them through the dishwasher. ;D
Quote from: TedEbear on May 30, 2012, 08:52:24 PM
Quote from: viper125 on May 30, 2012, 02:53:15 PMAny one have a tip on how to get people to leave or not come for dinner? With out ruining the relationship. LOL
After the meal put the plates on the floor and let your dog lick them clean. Casually put the plates back in the cabinet while saying something like, "Glad I won't have to wash these."
After your guests leave take all the plates out of the cabinet and run them through the dishwasher. ;D
Shoot why didn't I think of that. LOL. I have to agree with you Turtle, around this neck of the woods we don't have much in the way of BBQ joints so they have to be aawesome for me to return.
Guess I'm the oddball of the group...I go out to eat because the food is different than what I make, or how I make it. Not better, not worse, just different.
Actually I lied. We go out a lot, just not to restaurants that serve Cajun or Southern food outside their respective "home areas."
I keep trying BBQ places and occasionally hit a decent one. Unfortunately those occasions are way too few and far between.
I for one have perfected alot of bbq and cajun dishes to my and my customers liking,, It doesn't matter how good it is and i know better than to eat ribs or pulled pork at Restaurants BUT i still find myself trying their stuff. I cuss and bitch all the way home and my lady always says.... you knew better...lol...
Glad you are enjoying your stay and getting to try all these different varities of foods.. It will definitley spoil the crap out of you.. I am headed home to Louisiana in July and i am already making my list of place to stop for grub.... So between Houston,LakeCharles, and New Orleans I will probably weigh an extra 20 lbs
Quote from: cajunboudreaux on May 31, 2012, 10:09:25 AM...know better than to eat ribs or pulled pork at Restaurants BUT i still find myself trying their stuff. I cuss and bitch all the way home and my lady always says.... you knew better...
My experience exactly (including the "I told you so").Quote from: cajunboudreaux on May 31, 2012, 10:09:25 AM... an extra 20 lbs
I got off easy - only an extra ten after two weeks in New Orleans and one in Savannah.
We eat out all the time and sometimes treat ourselves by eating at home. It is just the 2 of us. She is a teacher and I am retired and play golf everyday. Neither of us have the energy to cook and clean up at the end of the day and it is sometimes difficult to cook for just 2.
Next Saturday we are Rving to Jacksonville, FL for some medical tests for the Mrs. then going to Spring Hill, FL for visiting family. Will be gone 2+ weeks. There is a joint in Jacksonville that has fantastic ribs (Cross Creek). They are located near I-10 and Lane Avenue if anyone ever visits Jacksonville.
Well there is only two of us. But we fix a lot and freeze. Vaccume packed its as good as the day made. And a very quick meal when needed. We have two freezers and there always filled with veggys,meat and dinners. Sorry just cant eat inferior food any more. Home cooked is good about any where. I also have heard the stories about cooks in places from people who worked at some real high class places. And if that is what they do to food to get a laugh there. I can only guess what the rest is like. So eat my share! But i prefer to know who is cooking my food or be able to watch them. LOL