Rock Store Barbecue in Stallings and Mac's Speed Shop in Charlotte both will be featured on a new Travel Channel show, "All You Can Meat."
Host Chuey Martinez (above), an L.A. radio and TV personality, will travel around to Austin, Kansas City, Charlotte, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Denver in search of people who make all kinds of meat, including barbecue (pulled pork, ribs and brisket), poultry, steak and bacon. The show will also include stops in Kannapolis, Spencer and Lexington.
The 6-episode show debuts this Sunday at 10 p.m. with two episodes, then settles in a regular time slot of 9 p.m. Sundays starting Aug. 19.
Always glad to hear Charlotte restaurants (and N.C. barbecue of course) are getting the love. But I have to say: If you're going to have the title "professional meat enthusiast," could you have a better name than Chuey? I can't make this stuff up, folks.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
2 Charlotte barbecue places featured on Travel Channel
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78 comments:
Rock Store? Seriously? No Queen City Q or Midwood? Where the heck do these people get their info?
Mac's is what passes as BBQ now? LOL. You have to get out of Mecklenburg County to enjoy real BBQ. Sorry but meat cooked in an oven or cooked over charcoal and then doused with smoke flavor is not BBQ. It has to be cooked over wood, no exceptions. Shelby or Lexington are the closet choices, the rest are the equivalent of going to McD's for a great burger.
The Rock Store is excellent.. outside of Mecklenburg county. Lexington and Shelby are places to get REAL BBQ.
Absurd that Mac's was chose over Spoon's.
Lexington #1 is the only BBQ around in my opinion. Mac's doesn't even come close.
They need to check out RO's BBQ in Belmont...that is the bomb!!!!
I'm glad they are going to Lexington where the barbecue is real. I love Charlotte, but it's NOT a place for great 'cue.
I could never trust a man named, "Chuey".
Thank you.
Agree with Pit Master, I never understood the allure of the so called BBQ at Macs...highly over rated. Obviously the folks that rave over Mac's have never had true Carolina pork Q. Nor do they know that the cooked meat there is mixed with melted butter prior to serving!
Charlotte is NOT the place for BBQ. Lexington, Shelby, etc. I'm a native and there is nowhere here that I would recommend. Back in the 60s, Rogers at the corner of Graham and Atando was really good. When they moved from the Graham location, it went down hill until eventually closing.
I believe we can all agree that at least they are going to the correct side of North Carolina for BBQ. That stuff they pass-off in Raleigh, and other places east, as BBQ is an offense to what was once good pork.
I love people like "Pit Master" (sure buddy) and the guy above that think they know everything. Honestly, who's opinion matters more...backyard clowns like yourself who think you have the best BBQ or the restaurant that is packed out with people 7 days a week? They win, you lose. If you think you can do better let's see you open a place called Pit Master's and we'll judge how well it does. Or better said, doesn't. You don't like Mac's but 1000's of other people do, yet you are right. I love narrow minds.
One thing to remember for the purists about BBQ in Charlotte...it's a city, not the countryside! There are building and fire codes here. You can't dig a hole and cook a pig over it like out behind your trailer. In high quality gas smokers all the flavor comes from the smoldering wood of choice cooked low and slow. Isn't that what's important?
Anon 12:01
I cooked BBQ over a pit for 20+ years at various places over the area. I have forgotten more about cooking pig than you will ever know. If Mac’s is your idea of good Que, have at it. I just expect a lot more as my palate is more refined. Have a good day pal. BTW, I hear the McRib is on the way back soon, you should be very happy.
Folks, as always, I love your enthusiasm and your opinions, particularly on this subject. But please remember that personal attacks on one another are not OK here. I will remove comments that involve name-calling, profanity or personal insults. Thanks.
Anonymous 12:25, you were making a valid point. Can you post it again without the profanity? Thanks.
Charlotte isn't the place to get BBQ! We love getting our bbq from Kings BBQ in Kinston, NC!!
It's great to see BBQ still getting so much attention in this modern city.
Kathleen, last year you wrote an article, providing a very basic recipe for spare ribs.
Since there's so much debate on what is and what's not real BBQ in Charlotte, I would love to see a follow up article that discusses some comments or a poll where folks can tell where they get real BBQ from and why it's so good. And for the record, who makes the best BBQ pork and ribs in SW Charlotte--THIS GUY, TEDDY C!
No stops in eastern NC for vinegar BBQ. Even if you don't like it millions do and it is the only place to get it. Pathetic list imo, and i have eaten at every one listed.
Wish they had tried Jo's Jo's Backyard BBQ in Bufford SC (Lancaster SC) All the meat is cooked inside the Smoke Shack!! Homemade sides. Great Price, atmosphere is good, and great young couple working hard to serve great BBQ, Ribs, and Chicken.
Old Hickory House out North Tryon is the best there is around here. And if anybody brings up the garbage they serve at Bill Spoon's place, all I can say about that is Spoon's is to barbeque what McDonald's is to hamburgers. Spoon's is however on par with the trash they serve at Sonny's.
I agree- MACs is not good Que-- and not really all that good period but if you need to play bad boy and go play on your bike- then by all means-
How much you want to bet all these people who are slamming the Meck Co places have never actually eaten at Midwood, Queen City, or City Smoke... I am not saying you have to spend money to deliver great BBQ, but don't assume these places are crap without trying them.
I think people are forgetting this show (according to its press release, anyway) is targeting actual cities - large, Urban areas. Is there better BBQ to be found in NC? Certainly - but they arent focusing on some old Mobile home converted into a restaurant in the middle of the Woods.
Did someone really say Bill Spoon's BBQ was good. Wow. For the last year it has been terrible.
That's a good point, Arcola. Thank you.
Pit Master,
My only point is that just because you like/dislike something doesn't make your OPINION right, nor does it make it or wrong. Because that's all it is, an opinion. Perhaps try not stating opinions as facts. 20+ years, great. You could be doing it wrong for 20+ years and just have people smiling along the way telling you it's wonderful. So tell me again, what store or restaurant is your BBQ in? What are your credentials? Where can I try this award winning BBQ? Have you made a living off of it? If not, why not? It's very easy to bash someone else that's been successful yet not provide anything to back up your "Pit Master" claims. Give me something, anything, besides something like "I cook every year at my family reunion" and I'll shut up.
Arcola, good post. Self proclaimed experts, see above.
Midwoods the best as well as the neighborhood. You hill Billy pit master get back in the kitchen and make me a pie.
I like Mac's for the Beef Brisket. It is very good. If you are in the University area try Farmers on Prosperity Church Rd. They have a great variety of meats and ribs. You can have pork any style you want. The Rocket Fuel sauce is rockin.
521 BBQ over in Indian Land is the best around Charlotte.
Anon 1:23
This forum is for opinions, duh. I worked with Carolina Country BBQ in Gastonia and later on Tyvola Rd. Then on to Pete's in SC. They were wildly busy and our Que spoke for itself. Now you have your answer. Again, have a good one.
Amen!
I get your point about the show's focus being on urban barbecue places. But why slam any place else? Just because the restaurant isn't in Charlotte doesn't mean it's in a trailer in the middle of the woods. There are plenty of great places to eat in North Carolina that aren't in Charlotte, and that aren't in trailers.
Arcola said it best, this show is about "pigging out" in a big city. Now then, if a show like "No Reservations" filmed an episode about Carolina Que and only ate in Charlotte, then by all means, fill the comments section up! But honestly folks, how many of us here are going to the 80+ min ONE WAY drive to the meccas of Carolina BBQ just to eat?
Look, I love food and have made day trips with the family numerous times JUST to eat somewhere. But not after a long day at work. No way. Call it sacrilegious to eat at Mac's Speed Shop, Jim 'N Nicks or any other place in the Metro area all you want, but if I have a craving for BBQ on a Wednesday, I'm going someplace close to get my fill. I'll save the so called "real" BBQ for when I'm in the area or can plan a day around it.
And lighten up for crying out loud...it's just BBQ. No one will EVER agree on who has the best or what version is the best!
Amen to 521 BBQ in Indian Land....If you have never tried it you are missing out!!!
Rock Store BBQ is right up the street from me in Stallings. Really good pulled pork. Mac's is okay; it's about like Sticky Fingers and the rest.
Thanks, Anon 1:58. I'm glad to hear it's holding up. I've stopped by a couple of times over the years and it seemed like a sweet little place.
I agree with a lot, but I am a fan of the old Ron's Pig Palace on wheels that travels around. Tough to find sometimes though.
Wait, did someone actually mention Carolina Country BBQ as a real option for Q? I guess so...if you like pulling fat out of your mouth with every bite of burnt BBQ. That place is nasty. It's right down there with Hilbilly's BBQ. Yikes.
Wait, did someone actually mention Carolina Country BBQ as a real option for Q? I guess so...if you like pulling fat out of your mouth with every bite of burnt BBQ. That place is nasty. It's right down there with Hilbilly's BBQ. Yikes.
BBQ....In NC??? Please. It's nothing but vinegar. Nasty.
Rock Store??? Are we being punk'd? They are one of the worst around, have you noticed their "smoker" inside is electric??? Give me a break.
If you want to try great BBQ, head to Lake Lure Smokehouse across from the beach in downtown Lake Lure.
McKoy's over Mac's anyday
For me it does not really get much better then Sauceman's off West Blvd. Really good BBQ and smoked turkey. Dixie Cuban might be my favorite sandwich in town.
the new barbeque sandwich at Burger King is to die for. Mmmm.
Jim N' Nicks isn't even carolina bbq, its a chain from Birmingham.
521 BBQ in Indian Land, SC is by far the best BBQ there is.
Talking about BBQ in North Carolina is worse than discussing politics and religion. WeE take it seriously and are willing to fight over it.
Have to agree with the comments about 521 in Indian Land, they're the best around by far.
Midwood Smokehouse-best BBQ in Charlotte. Mac's-way too mainstream. Sorry Chuey, you missed out.
Have to agree: 521 Barbecue in Indianland is the best unknown BBQ place in the Charlotte area. They deserve more recognition. And Bill Spoons is horrible. It's not even real BBQ- it's cooked on gas grills and flavored afterwards. Why can't old timers who like Spoons understand that? Mac's brisket is good- their pork?...meh.
I think this is awesome! Have never had Rock House before and it's probably 10 mins from my house. My family actually just decided to go there for dinner tonight this morning before this article came out. Looking forward to trying some local stuff and then seeing it on TV.
Gotta love seeing all the billies get fired up over this. I'm sure you all own your own bbq places and will be featured on a show like this soon!
Just stating a fact. When you go to the rock place tonight, let us know what kind of smoker it is, cuz it ain't wood!!
Being married to a Lexington NC native, it's hard for me to give 5-star marks to anything in Charlotte. Midwood and Mac's do have very good food. Their only problem is that they both try to be all things to all people by serving all types of meat and using all the popular sauces (although how anyone can swallow that utterly gross mustard-based mess is beyond me). I understand the goal - have a BBQ restaurant that people from Lexington, Eastern NC, SC, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis and Dallas can all go to for a little bit of what they got back home. But what's the old saying - Jack of all trades, and master of none?
I do like Mac's and Midwood, as they do a fairly decent replica of the vinegar-based pulled pork I get when I go see the in-laws.
What I really want to see on Travel Channel is a 1-hour show that visits only 2 Lexington joints - Lexington #1 and Jimmy's, or as I call them, BBQ Nirvana.
Native of SC and now live in Charlotte. Carolinas BBQ (there are at least 3 distinct varieties) is OK but frankly doesn't stand up to what is considered great BBQ nationally. If you want the best ribs hit Memphis and if you want the best all around BBQ in the country you have to go to the hill country of Texas - especially the Salt Lick. If you haven't traveled and experienced BBQ in other areas of the country you have no idea what you are talking about and certainly in no position to call anything made around here "great".
You guys have it all wrong! The best BBQ all around is the mustard BBQ down in South Carolina. Mautrice's in Columbia and the Kickin' Pig in Rock Hill. Nothing else compares.
Big Butt BBQ in Belmont, best I've had in or around Charlotte.
Ranucci's BBQ in East Belmont, NC is hands down the BEST!!! Come to God's Country for real BBQ...... BELMONT
The best even in the Lexington Area....check out Tarheel Q on Hwy 64 about 5 miles west of Lexington, better than any in Lexington itself!
Very interesting comments.... I have been to both Mac's and Rock Store BBQ, every time I go in it smells like smoke, I see the equivalent of at least a cord of Hickory behind all of their restaurants......do ya'll just make this up to make yourselves feel better?
Blog is for "Carolinas" yet the names of restaurants in other regional cities not in blog? What Ktown place?
All this brouhaha over how to cook and eat a dead animal. I hear some people even like to sit around a table and stare at the dead animals's cooked head while they eat its flesh.
We all like what we like and the type of Q we grew up with. Frankly, any Bar-B-Que restaurant that looks at you like they could kill you when you order a sandwich with the sauce on the side- Mac's- has something to hide. I have always thought that place was a spot for the Uptown Yuppies and the biker wannabes. For awesome Bar-B-Que in Charlotte, I go to Jim-N-Nick's in Concord( Jim-N-Nick's food was so good in B'ham that they were approached to have restaurants in other places just to be specific here)- they got the real deal pitmaster from the original restaurant at home and you can taste the hickory on the meat(no sauce needed)- AWESOME!!!! Lexington Bar-B-Que has great Q but why do they need slaw on top of the sandwich? GROSS!!!!
I like my bar b q, make it like you want it, it's cheap and pretty easy to do.
If you ever are around Greenville, NC. You must go to B's which is at the top of the NC list.
Closer by, Bridges in Shelby and Lexington #1 are worth the drive.
I grew up in Shelby and have eaten BBQ in 23 different states. The best I've ever had was Ranuccis BBQ and grill in Belmont, NC. Go there and see all the trophies in his place and eat his stuff and you'll see what I mean.
Someone mentioned the old Rogers' BBQ. Their Q never came near wood smoke. They used an electric cooker and Dick was sincere when he claimed that you got all the smoke you needed from fat dripping on the electric heating elements!
Too bad outlaw is gone, hands down the best I've ever had anywhere. Rock store is okay and it is made better by the atmosphere, macs is pretty average. There is better.
When you stand naked before the man on judgement day, and judgement day is coming, ain't nobody gone be talking about no barbeque.
Yeah, Outlaw!! Forgot about ole' Steve & Lynn and that darn banana pudding - YUMMMMM
Blog is for "Carolinas" yet the names of restaurants in other regional cities not in blog? What Ktown place?
Anon 5:52 p.m.: Those are the only restaurant names the network provided. However, they noted that some of the show will include backyard barbecue, not just restaurants. So may be visiting a home barbecuer in Kannapolis.
Sauceman's on West Blvd. is good. Their smoked turkey is great as is their hot BBQ sauce.
he Sugar Shack’s best seller is their pulled pork with a mustard base cole slaw followed closely by their chicken breast sandwich with a white BBQ sauce. Food Truck Los Angeles
Even back home we have a Hark Rock Cafe in Destin that I celebrated a birthday or two at. Food Truck Catering Wedding
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