Thanks SMF Family!

[bbqlovinpackerbacker]

Thanks to this site, all the receipes, and help from the members my tastebuds have gotten an upgrade. I was in Louisville last weekend to attend a HS reunion for my wife. While she was out getting her hair done with friends I went, and searched out the most out of the way mom and pop Que joint I could find. A little dumpy place with an old grizzly looking chap behind the counter. There were several people sitting around inside eating happily, and I figured, this outta be good for a nice big lunch. The guy said he'd been open for 13 years (great again, must be pretty good to stay open for so long.) WRONG...I got a 1/3 slab of spares, and 1/3 chicken, tater salad, and beans. Ribs had to have been boiled first, brown/tan all the way through with no smoke ring, and only slight smoke flavor. I also think no rub was used. The chicken had a nice tan color outside, no real smoke flavor either, and the outside was kinda leathery. I think the meat had been Nuked for my order. Tater salad was o.k. The only thing that was good...dare I say great were the beans. Nice chunks of beef, and a real good flavor, I wish I'd had a bunch more of them.

I say all that to say this...before finding SMF, and getting my own smoker, I'd probably have thought that that was good Que. In fact I thought lots of places did good Que. Alas to my dismay...there really aren't that many that really do it well. Especially none of the chains I used to go to.

With all your help I've been able to turn out some really fine Que, convert a few friends who "didn't like BBQ," and convince other friends that I'm some sort of BBQ genius. Gotta say thanks to all my SMF family for helping me achieve "King of the Smoker" status among my friends and family. They always want to know when I'll be firing up the smoker next, and make plans to "be in the neighborhood"

Thanks,

 

[cheech]

Not only do you have a new appreciation for que try to find a restraunt that serves a fatty when you have a need for one!

 

[meowey]

You are correct, this place has educated me. When I was traveling in July, I searched out several Q joints in Virginia and North Carolina. I had better luck than you, as I realized that I was eating the good stuff. I picked up a few tidbits along the way, and that made my Q much more fun to produce and enjoyable to eat.

Many thanks to all here at SMF!!

Take care, have fun, and do good!

Regards,

Meowey

 

[smokebuzz]

Oddly enuff, i don't do Q out. But the X takes the girls to a couple local joints and they make it very clear, MINE IS BETTER, and i have many of you to thank for that also. It's nice to swap secrets here and get help as you help.

 

[smokin for life]

I use to go to a place called Sweet Lucy's a lot, & I do mean a lot. I was spending a ton of money there. I really got a likeing for "Q" while I was living in TX. So I said to my self, why not try to do it your self. Found this fourm, met all my new friends, did what they said to do, never went back to Sweet Lucy's. Have money in my pocket, and a lot of new friends. I owe Ya'll!!!

 

[ma?tley ca 1/4 e]

I have always been a que fanatic. There are no good joints here in Mobile. had to learn to do it right myself. 95% of the edumacation came from right here.

 

[wvsmokeman]

That is true. Since I have learned how to smoke my own Q, the commercial joints just don't compare. I don't think they put in the Love that we do.

 

[richtee]

I think you are correct, Sir. It requires a "love" or passion, if you will- to justify the time and effort that goes into this type of food. Even moreso for those of us who MAKE the sausages, cure the hams...etc. And I'm more nervous serving friends and family my dinners than I would be if the IRS sent a car to pick me up!

 

[deejaydebi]

I agree - once you've started smoking your own Q everything but other real backyard smokees food tastes blah!

I still go o a quest for good Q whenever I leave home. Some is not awful. I find the best store bought Q comes from the microbreweries that als make Q. Or it just trying all those beers that make the Q acceptable?

 

[bbqlovinpackerbacker]

Too true...fatty's were a hard sell to the wife, that is until she tried some. Everytime I make some everyone crinkles their face up, and says you smoked a what...then they comment about it being weird...then they try it, and are hooked, wolfing down slice after slice. And after all whats more American than eating something called a fatty.