The Smoke Sheet newsletter turns one (plus top news & events)
When we launched The Smoke Sheet a year ago, our goal was to have a central place where barbecue enthusiasts could find original content, news, events, recipes, and more. When our first issue was released, we were just two barbecue fanatics with an idea for a weekly barbecue newsletter with a national perspective that we found was missing. We set out to create the kind of newsletter that we wanted to read and were happy to find a lot of you wanted to read it too!
We want to say thank you to our family, friends, followers, sponsors, and supporters who have helped to make our newsletter successful in this short period. We have been able to travel to destinations across the nation to write about barbecue and have made a lot of friends along the way. We look forward to continuing to document what makes this community special and telling meaningful stories.
To celebrate one year of The Smoke Sheet, we selected five of our favorite stories from the past year that you might have missed.
The slow-smoked pulled pork sandwich with mustard-based slaw from Payne’s was one of the best things we ate in Memphis.
We Visited the Best BBQ Joints in Memphis
Ryan and Sean visited Memphis for the first time late last year, a rare barbecue town that they hadn’t been able to see yet. They hit up 11 joints in and around Memphis over four days, and they were constantly surprised — sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. Read the issue here.
Megan and Jason Day from Burnt Finger BBQ in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
Top BBQ Couples Share Advice on Love and BBQ
For our Valentine’s Day issue, we asked some amazing couples for their advice on how to have a successful relationship in the world of barbecue. We were amazed at the way they opened up to share their words of wisdom with our readers. .
We were thrilled to meet Helen Turner of Helen’s Bar-B-Q, who has been a pitmaster for more than 20 years.
The Most Important Women in Barbecue (Part 1 and 2)
It will come as no surprise that women are underrepresented in the world of American barbecue. But with more women pitmasters and influencers than ever in the industry, the trend is beginning to change. We featured 20 incredible women from the world of barbecue over two issues this past March. Read and .
The Windy City Smokeout in Chicago was an intense music and barbecue festival that inspired us to write a survival guide.
Five Tips on How to Survive BBQ Festivals
We greatly enjoy attending barbecue festivals around the country several times a year. If you’re new to barbecue festivals or have only been to a few, there are some important things to keep in mind to help you manage your comfort and sanity in the face of hot temperatures, large crowds, and overly full stomachs. .
This platter from Panther City BBQ in Fort Worth, Texas was amazing.
Fort Worth Is the Next Big BBQ Destination in Texas
This summer, Ryan traveled to Fort Worth, Texas to check out the burgeoning barbecue scene and was blown away by the delicious food as well as the supportive community. The area is quickly becoming one of the hottest barbecue destinations in Texas. .
--
These are just a few of the stories we wanted to highlight from the past year. In the next year, will also be featuring information on great barbecue products for cooks and enthusiasts and we hope to cover even more events all over the country. We will also be adding more content to our website with more features and stories over the next few months, so stay tuned.
Thank you so much for your support. If you have any ideas for stories or would like to sponsor The Smoke Sheet, please get in touch!
Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist) and Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Sheet
Here are the top recent barbecue news stories from around the country:
Congratulations to Ryan Murphy on his win at the World Food Championships.
The World Food Championships, the largest competition in food sport, took place in Dallas, Texas last weekend. Ryan Murphy of the Dirt Road BBQ team was named the winner in the barbecue category.
According to Larry Olmsted of Forbes, barbecue enthusiasts will want to consider attending the inaugural Amazing Ribs “Meat-Up In Memphis” taking place next summer. The event will, “bring fans and enthusiasts together to experience educational sessions, enjoy amazing food prepared by renowned BBQ competitors and restaurateurs, and socialize with fellow backyard cooks.”
Speaking of Memphis, Robert Moss recently highlighted 7 must-visit barbecue joints in Memphis for Southern Living, including some of our favorites such as Payne’s Bar-B-Q, Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, and The Bar-B-Q Shop.
Southern Illinois University photojournalism professor Mark Dolan, also known as BBQ Pilgrim, talked with WGN Radio about seeking out stories from the world of barbecue as well as the upcoming Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue.
The Houston Chronicle’s J.C. Reid has written extensively about the craft barbecue scene in Houston but recently paid tribute to old-school Houston barbecue.
Saveur’s Naomi Tomky writes that smoked bologna is one of the signature dishes in Oklahoma barbecue, describing it as “a humble tube meat beloved by anyone who grew up eating barbecue in Oklahoma.”
Good news for barbecue lovers in Atlanta: B’s Cracklin’ Barbecue, which suffered a devastating fire in March, has opened a location in the new “725 Ponce” Kroger location.
Todd Ginsberg, one of Atlanta’s best chefs, has opened Wood’s Chapel BBQ in the city’s Summerhill neighborhood. The restaurant will serve whole hog barbecue as well as brisket, ribs, turkey, smoked salmon, sandwiches and more.
Ben Lambert, formerly a brisket cook at Franklin Barbecue, is opening a new barbecue food truck in Austin called JNL Barbecue.
Houston-based restaurant company Pappas Restaurants is opening a new location of Pappas Bar-B-Q south of Dallas, at 230 W. Hwy 67, in Duncanville.
A second location of the acclaimed barbecue restaurant More Than Q is opening in West Windsor in New Jersey in late 2019 or early 2020.
These days, vacationers can find top-notch smoked meats in the Magic Kingdom. The Travel created a list of the ten best places to get barbecue at Disney World.
Here are BBQ shows, podcasts, or books you should check out this week:
Legendary of pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz of Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, Texas.
Watch: This May Be The Best Barbecue in America — Dining on a Dime
Since the two founders of The Smoke Sheet met in line at Snow’s BBQ, we thought it only fitting to include this video in our anniversary issue. On this episode of Dining on a Dime, host Lucas Peterson visits Snow’s BBQ, a brisket-making gem in Lexington, Texas that was shot to barbecue stardom in 2008 after being named “the best barbecue in Texas” by Texas Monthly. Watch as Peterson samples their notorious wares. Watch here.
Listen: The Smoke Sheet’s Ryan Cooper and Tailgate Guys Radio’s Lyndal Scranton— Baseball & BBQ
In this episode of the Baseball & BBQ podcast, hosts Leonard and Jeff first talk with Ryan Cooper of BBQ Tourist and The Smoke Sheet. They chat about how Ryan’s interest in barbecue grew and what it's like attending festivals and competitions across the nation. In the second part of the episode, Leonard chats with Lyndal Scranton of the Tailgate Guys BBQ podcast. Lyndal spent his career covering baseball as a sports journalist in Springfield, Missouri and talks with Leonard about the Major League Baseball playoffs. Listen to the episode here.
Read: Operation BBQ: 200 Smokin’ Recipes from Competition Grand Champions — by Cindi Mitchell and Stan Hays
We highlighted Operation BBQ back in February, before the book’s official release but thought it would be good to acknowledge this special book again. Operation BBQ is a compilation of recipes from championship-winning barbecue teams who volunteer for disaster relief efforts across the United States. These unsung heroes develop BBQ dishes that wow crowds and judges everywhere, and then help feed displaced residents and emergency personnel―putting the “comfort” in “comfort food.” Here, more than 70 teams of grand and world champion pitmasters bring their prized recipes and powerful stories to life in this exceptional cookbook. Buy it here.
The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue takes place this weekend in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
October 25-26: Jack Daniel’s 2019 World Championship Invitational — Lynchburg, Tennessee
For one weekend every year, the smallest town in whiskey becomes the biggest scene in barbecue. More than 60 championship teams from the U.S. and more than 20 international teams from around the world convene in Lynchburg to compete for the coveted title of The Jack Grand Champion. Also, Ryan from The Smoke Sheet will be there, so be sure to say hello. More info here.
October 26: The Barbecue Festival — Lexington, North Carolina
The 36th annual Barbecue Festival in Lexington, North Carolina will attract thousands of BBQ aficionados from around the country. The event features lots of great Lexington-style barbecue, but also includes a bike race, a car show, live music, BMX stunt shows, lumberjack competitions, and a festival finale with fireworks. Admission is free but plan to buy ‘cue on site. More info here.
October 27: Spring Valley Tailgate & BBQ Festival — Spring Valley, California
California’s Largest Annual Amateur Tailgate & BBQ Contest is the perfect way to learn how to take your backyard BBQ skills and test them out in a contest that helps raise money for local youth charities. Some of our top teams from this contest have gone on to compete at the highest level of Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Championship events and have even opened BBQ businesses of their own. More info here.
November 2-3: Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Weekend — Austin, Texas
The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest is one of the top annual barbecue festivals in Texas. The Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas have all been invited, so come see who will be smoking at this weekend of ‘cue. Plus, check out the return of the popular Franklin & Friends event. More info here.
November 7: Sam Jones Barn Party — Atlanta, Georgia
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q is thrilled to celebrate friend and Pitmaster Sam Jones with a special collaborative dinner highlighting his family’s signature recipes. The Fox Bros. team will transform their Ottley Drive Commissary into Jones’ beloved backyard barn where guests will enjoy an American Spirit Works specialty-cocktail, appetizers, a family-style meal prepared by Jones and Fox Bros., as well as beer from Scofflaw Brewing Co. and wine. More info here.
November 10: Meat Fight — Dallas, Texas
Meat Fight is a yearly BBQ competition with chefs competing against each other for titles including best brisket, best sausage and more. 16 fancy DFW chefs from restaurants including Lucia, Petra and the Beast, Fauna, Jose, Salaryman, and more will be there duking it out. Attendees will be able to sample it all, plus side items, whiskey samples, beer, and more. The best part: This “funlanthropy” event benefits people living with Multiple Sclerosis. More info here.
November 13: No Kid Hungry Dinner — Houston, Texas
Some of Houston’s top pitmasters will soon get together for the No Kid Hungry Dinner at Truth BBQ. Leonard Botello IV, pitmaster and owner of Truth BBQ, will host the multi-course dinner and will be joined by Bobby Matos (State of Grace, La Lucha), Erin Smith and Patrick Feges (Feges BBQ), Nick Wong (UB Preserv), and Rebecca Masson (Fluff Bake Bar). Vanessa Dworakowski of La Lucha will mix cocktails. The dinner benefits No Kid Hungry, which works to end childhood hunger across the country. More info here.
November 17: 3rd Annual HOU-ATX BBQ Throwdown — Houston, Texas
The Houston Barbecue Festival and Saint Arnold Brewing Company announce the 3rd Annual HOU-ATX BBQ Throwdown featuring top barbecue restaurants from Houston and Austin competing to determine who reigns supreme when it comes to Texas barbecue. Ticket holders will sample each of the barbecue competition entries as well as enjoy Saint Arnold beer.
More info here.
November 23: GrillsGiving — San Antonio, Texas
GrillsGiving is a community-wide barbeque cook-off, music festival and fundraiser. BBQ teams and guests enjoy a festival-like atmosphere, kids’ activities and entertainment along the banks of the Mission Reach. More info here.
December 27-28: Arizona National BBQ Stampede — Phoenix, Arizona
The Arizona National BBQ Stampede is a special event brought to you by the Arizona National Livestock Show in collaboration with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). Teams will be able to enter the competition to earn points at the first event of the KCBS competition season. More info here.
January 1: Fired Up Florida Kosher BBQ Battle — Boca Raton, Florida
The Jay Feder Jewelers Fired Up Kosher BBQ Battle and Festival will be held on January 1st, 2019 at the South County Regional Park in Boca Raton, Florida from 1:00-5:00 pm. The event will include a barbecue competition, food for sale, and family activities. Proceeds will help support Hadar High School for Girls. More info here.
See the full Smoke Sheet events calendar online here.
Check out this recipe for Smoked Chuck Roast from BBQ with Rik Rik.
Smoked Chuck Roast by BBQ with Rik Rik
For this Recipe of the Week, we chose this recipe for Smoked Chuck Roast by the YouTube Channel BBQ with Rik Rik. Tarik smokes this chuck roast on his Weber Smokey Mountain using Jealous Devil Charcoal. He applies Fire & Smoke BBQ Classic and Shiitake rubs to add layers of flavor. View the recipe here.
If you’re not already subscribed to The Smoke Sheet, sign up here. Want to be featured in or sponsor this newsletter? Email us now!