Where to Eat BBQ Between Washington D.C. and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
This week’s guest article is written by John Tanner, founder of John Tanner’s Barbecue Blog. John is based in Washington, D.C., and has been writing about barbecue joints, events, and notable people in BBQ since 2015. Today we are featuring his latest dispatch, where he ate at two great restaurants in Arlington, Virginia with The Smoke Sheet co-founder Sean Ludwig. If you would like to write a guest article for The Smoke Sheet, please get in touch.
I don’t usually do individual curated lists, but I’m making an exception here. I’ve been thinking of doing an I-40 list, and our neighbor, Julie Rokala, who’s from Oklahoma, recently drove her mother, Laura Eddy, from Broken Arrow to Washington to spend some time with the grandchildren. They made the drive just stopping any old where to eat. Now Ms. Laura is a lovely person and she deserves better on the trip home.
One Day 1, proceed out I-66 against traffic until you hit I-81. There you face your first hard choice: a short detour north to Shaffer’s in lovely Middletown, or south on 81 to your second choice, Smokin’ Jarhead in Woodstock or Bean’s BBQ in Edinburg. A key factor in your decision will be whether to have ribs and get your hands all messy at Smokin’ Jarhead, or a non-messy pork sandwich at Bean’s. Or try both. I’d go with Bean’s.
The pork sandwich at Bean’s BBQ in Edinburg is definitely worth stopping for. (Photo by John Tanner)
Then it’s a straight shot south on 81, and a good night’s rest in Bristol. We’ve always eaten at 620 State in Bristol on the Tennessee side of State Street. (The north side of State is in Virginia and dry.). Next time, though, I’ll probably try Delta Blues BBQ, and I’d appreciate it if you could go there and send me a few pictures and notes about the food. Thanks.
On Day 2, continue south and catch I-40 West above Knoxville. In Knoxville, you can stop at Sweet P’s Downtown Dive and get some of their pimiento cheese dip, but leave some room. Before long you’ll come to Crossville where you must stop at Buc-ee’s. Always stop at a Buc-ee’s. It’s an experience. I’ve only been in one, and I’d just eaten, but the Barbecue Bros tell me that the brisket is good, and there are lots of cult favorites at Buc-ees.
Then on to Nashville for an evening of dinner at Jack Cawthon’s or a nice non-barbecue at The Tavern, followed by some music on Lower Broadway if it’s not overrun by bachelorette parties, and then a well-deserved rest to prepare for a day of great food.
The smoked bologna sandwich at Helen’s Bar-B-Q in Brownsville, Tennessee, is especially memorable. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)
On Day 3, the essential first stop, of course, is the Loveless Cafe for their biscuits and preserves and whatever else you want. The country ham is very good. Then wander around until Ramey’s Whole Hog Barbecue opens in Parsons, just south of the interstate. Grab a truly great barbecue sandwich and chat with the folks there for a while. Say “Hi” for me. After Ramey’s, continue west to Brownsville and Helen’s. Then on to Memphis and Payne’s, if it’s open. If it’s not, go to the Cozy Corner and, if you would, please take some pictures and give me a report.
The smoked pork sandwich at Payne's in Memphis is a perfect BBQ bite. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
On Day 4, after a good night’s sleep at the Peabody and maybe a rib at the Rendezvous, take a detour a few miles south to Marianna and Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, which is back in business after the fire. I haven’t been there, but it’s one of the places that has intruded on the attention even of the James Beard Foundation. Then back to I-40 and continue to Little Rock and Sim’s, and/or Kibb’s in North Little Rock. Then on to Broken Arrow. Let me know of any stops you make along the way.
I welcome comments and suggestions, so long as they avoid naughty language. I especially welcome suggestions of good local places near I-40 beyond Little Rock. Meanwhile, drive safely and eat well.
--
John Tanner
Founder, John Tanner’s Barbecue Blog
—Raikes Beef Co. offers 100% Nebraska-born and raised American Wagyu and Angus beef shipped directly from their farm to your door. Use the promo code SMOKESHEET for 15% off all online orders. CLICK TO ORDER HERE.—
—Plowboys BBQ in Kansas City announced it will close soon. The tasty BBQ nachos were one of the restaurant's top items. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)—
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Kansas City BBQ mainstay Plowboys BBQ announced this week that it would be closing all of its restaurants for good on August 14. “As we close our restaurants, the first word I think of is how grateful I am,” founder and pitmaster Todd Johns said. “Grateful to have been a part of the long, rich barbeque tradition in Kansas City. Grateful for our fans, who loved our brand and our food. Grateful for the many vendor partners we worked with over the years. and, most importantly, grateful for our staff, who supported us in the good times and endured during the hard times." READ MORE.
Speaking of Kansas City, the barbecue joints Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque and Gates Bar-B-Q recently topped a list of the greatest restaurant rivalries from Mashed. Arthur Bryant and his brother Charlie were mentored by Henry Perry, who is often called the father of Kansas City barbecue. Charlie took over Perry’s restaurant operation at 18th and Brooklyn upon his death in 1940 and Arthur took over for Charlie after his brother retired in 1946. The Gates barbecue legacy started in 1946 when George W. Gates opened “Gates Ol’ Kentucky” at 19th and Vine. READ MORE.
Fort Worth’s Goldee’s Barbecue will be taking time off next weekend, but pitmaster Chuck Charnichart will have a special pop-up event on August 5 and 6. She will be serving her own specials, such as chori-queso sausage and pineapple upside-down cobbler. Next year, she plans on opening her own restaurant in the Austin area. READ MORE.
ADDITIONAL READS
Heritage Barbecue will welcome award-winning pitmasters from across the country on August 13 to celebrate its second anniversary.
Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn shares how Underwood’s Cafeteria has served barbecue in Brownwood for 76 years.
Here are the top Texas barbecue fusion restaurants you have to try, according to Thrillist.
The Houston Chronicle’s J.C. Reid writes about how enchiladas are merging with Texas barbecue.
Forbes shares 10 BBQ mistakes you’re probably making and how to avoid them.
—Pitmaster Rodney Scott recently took to Twitter to answer burning questions about barbecue.—
WATCH
Rodney Scott Answers BBQ Questions from Twitter — Wired
Barbecue chef Rodney Scott takes to Twitter to answer the internet's burning questions about barbecue. What's the difference between barbecue and grilling? What does the 'Q' stand for in BBQ? What's better to cook with, wood, charcoal, or propane? Rodney answers all these questions and much more! WATCH HERE.
LISTEN
Noah Glanville and Kell Phelps — BBQ Nation
Noah Glanville, CEO of Pit Barrel Cookers, hangs out with hosts JT and LeeAnn Whippen. Then the duo gets an update from Kell Phelps of Barbecue News Magazine and NBBQA. LISTEN HERE.
READ
Hot and Fast BBQ on Your Traeger Grill: A Pitmaster’s Secrets on Doubling the Flavor in Half the Time — Ed Randolph and Noelle Randolph
Award-winning pitmasters Ed and Noelle Randolph have perfected the hot and fast technique so you can spend less time grill-side while still turning out tender, fall-off-the-bone masterpieces. Hot and fast grilling means higher temperatures, shorter cooking times, and the same great slow-cooked flavors you crave. Pack some heat with Competition-Style St. Louis Ribs, and then prepare a meal with a Bourbon-Kissed Steak au Poivre. Char up some Crispy Chicken Wings with Blackberry Sauce, or try out a smoky Chile-Coffee Rubbed Tomahawk. ORDER HERE.
—Achieve perfect results the next time you make pulled pork with these tips from Chuds BBQ. —
5 Tips for Pulled Pork Perfection
By Chuds BBQ
For this week’s Recipe of the Week, we chose this video recipe for "Perfect Pulled Pork" from Chuds BBQ. In this video, pitmaster Bradley Robinson shares his top five tips for smoking the perfect pork butt. Follow this guide and you will achieve stellar results every time.
Learn more about Southside Market Barbeque.
—A lot of big barbecue events are happening in 2022. Eat up!—
August 4-7, 2022: Windy City Smokeout — Chicago, Illinois
Get ready for beer, BBQ, and country, because the Windy City Smokeout BBQ & Country Music Festival is returning to Chicago soon. The Windy City Smokeout is one of the largest barbecue festivals in the U.S., with this year’s edition bringing a stunningly good lineup together of veterans and newcomers. Read our 2019 Windy City Smokeout recap to learn about the experience. MORE INFO HERE.
September 2-4, 2022: Pinehurst Barbecue Festival — Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina
The Pinehurst Barbecue Festival, presented by Pinehurst Resort, US Foods and The Pilot, is a “Celebration of Taste and Tradition” featuring award-winning pitmasters from across North Carolina in one of the most picturesque settings in the entire state. The three-day event, staged in and around the historic Village of Pinehurst, offers a unique culinary sampling experience of various barbecue meats and traditional sides. MORE INFO HERE.
September 10, 2022: Pig Island NYC — Staten Island, New York
Pig Island NYC will celebrate its 13th year on September 10, 2022, at Snug Harbor on Staten Island. Join in for all-inclusive food and drink, from all-star pitmasters and chefs who will be serving up delicious porky goodness, as well as local breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Top chefs will compete for the best dishes and event-goers reap the benefits. Expect a ton of amazing eats and a great place to picnic with friends and family for the day. BUY TICKETS HERE.
September 10, 2022: Troubadour Festival — Tyler, Texas
Troubadour Festival is a multi-location Texas BBQ & Music experiential festival that pays homage to the traveling songwriter and the worldwide popularity of the Texas barbecue scene. The September 10 edition of the fest takes place in Downtown Tyler, Texas, for the first Troubadour Festival happening in East Texas. Tyler's inaugural Troubadour Festival will bring together more than 40 of the most celebrated barbecue joints from across Texas, and you’ll be able to scarf all that down while listening to some of the premier names in country music. MORE INFO HERE.
Sept 28 - Oct 2, 2022: American Royal World Series of Barbecue — Kansas City, Kansas
The American Royal World Series of barbecue is the largest BBQ competition in the country. On top of a massive KCBS competition with roughly 500 teams from around the country, this signature Kansas City event includes public-facing activities, including live music, delicious BBQ and local food, a full lineup of kids activities, and a vendor fair authentic to Kansas City and BBQ enthusiasts. Read our 2021 recap of the event to learn more about the experience. MORE INFO HERE.
October 14-15, 2022: The Jack — Lynchburg, Tennessee
It's rare that whiskey-making takes a backseat to much of anything in Lynchburg, Tennessee. But “The Jack,” one of the top KCBS competitions annually, is an exception. For one weekend in October, barbecue competitors from around the world converge to wield their grilling and smoking expertise. On top of the competition, other events are held to provide a lively and fun atmosphere for families and friends. MORE INFO HERE.
November 11-13, 2022: KCBS World Invitational — Gadsden, Alabama
The Kansas City Barbeque Society’s biggest event for the rest of the year is the fourth annual KCBS World Invitational Barbeque Competition. The event will bring together top champion pitmasters to compete for the title of “KCBS World Champion.” This event will feature three full days of contests and events. There will be both an open contest and a Master Series contest. Plus, backyard teams will be eligible to compete in the open against Master Series teams without impacting their Backyard status. MORE INFO HERE.
November 18-20, 2022: Jacksonville BBQ Fest — Jacksonville, Florida
During the past few years, Florida has become an even bigger attraction for barbecue restaurants and events. The Jacksonville BBQ Fest, held at TIAA Bank Field (where the Jaguars play), is one event that brings barbecue fans together to get a taste of great local and national barbecue bites. On top of the top-notch food, there’s also live music and great drinks to enjoy. To get a taste of this event, be sure to read Ed Reilly’s recap of the Denver BBQ Festival, which is hosted by the same organizers. MORE INFO HERE.
November 19, 2022: Holy Smokes BBQ Festival — Charleston, South Carolina
Aaron Siegel and Taylor Garrigan of Home Team BBQ, Anthony DiBernardo of Swig & Swine, and Robert Moss, the Contributing BBQ Editor for Southern Living, have invited the leaders of the barbecue community from around the country to come together in Charleston on November 19th, 2022 at Riverfront Park. With live music playing on stage against the backdrop of the Cooper River, guests will have a unique opportunity to sample a range of barbecue styles from the group of renowned pitmasters. Expect to taste slow-smoked whole hog, pork and beef ribs, Texas-style brisket, smoked sausage, BBQ tacos, and much, much more. MORE INFO HERE.
Thanks for reading our newsletter. Please share it with friends and family that also love and support barbecue! Want to be featured in or sponsor The Smoke Sheet?
Email us here!