4 Delicious Mexican BBQ Recipes, New KC BBQ Festival, & More
3 BBQ Recipes to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Happy Cinco de Mayo! This unofficial holiday, which commemorates the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, is actually celebrated more in the U.S. today than it is in Mexico. And celebrate we do, with many people all over the U.S. using the day to eat and drink Mexican cuisine and celebrate Mexican culture.
For anyone celebrating today or if you’re simply in the mood to try something new, here are three fun Cinco-de-Mayo-themed recipes that incorporate grilling and barbecue with Mexican staples.
Grilled Chicken Quesadilla
The quesadilla is a classic Mexican dish and one that is incredibly versatile. Chef Tom of All Things Barbecue created his own spin on the dish, packing it full of grilled chicken, onion, and creamy cheeses. He then pairs it with grilled avocado salsa and spicy crema for dipping. What’s great about this recipe is that you can also use it as a template for making other variations on the item. SEE THE RECIPE HERE.
Smoked Jalapeño Poppers
Jalapeño poppers are a staple on appetizer menus at restaurants around the country. While they are usually breaded and deep-fried, the smoked variety is much better. Mike Lang, the Grillographer for Weber, shares his recipe for Smoked Jalapeño Poppers on his blog Another Pint Please. These smoky and savory treats are sliced lengthwise, filled with cream cheese, topped with cheddar and parmesan cheese, and wrapped in bacon. As Lang writes, these poppers have, “the perfect mixture of heat, sweet, and swine.” SEE THE RECIPE HERE.
Smoked Margarita with Jalapeño Simple Syrup
Finally, it wouldn’t be Cinco de Mayo without a fun drink to try. This smoked margarita and smoked jalapeño simple syrup recipe from Silvia Orantes on GrillGirl.com fits that bill. First make up the jalapeño simple syrup, which only needs five minutes of prep time and has a shelf life of four months. Then, add in tequila, lime liquor, orange juice, lime juice, and pineapple juice, and then shake with ice. All the flavors come together to surprise and delight your taste buds. SEE THE RECIPE HERE.
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Also, be sure to read our Recipe of the Week down below for a delicious taco recipe from pitmaster Bill Gillespie. And if we missed your favorite Cinco de Mayo recipe, let us know yours on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ) & Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Sheet
The Smoke Sheet is proud to be sponsored by DennyMike’s super-premium, all-natural, and gluten-free seasoning blends. Over 15 plus years ago, DennyMike set his mind to creating a high-quality line of BBQ sauces and rubs. Since then, and over 60 awards later, he’s still producing products that continue to prove his tagline, “One taste is all it takes.” Be on the lookout for a DennyMike’s seasoning giveaway soon and learn more about DennyMike’s here.
—The new Kansas City BBQ Festival will take place in July at Arrowhead Stadium.—
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Kansas City is about to get a big new barbecue festival this summer. Shortly following last week’s announcement that the American Royal World Series of Barbecue would return in September, a new non-competition barbecue event that celebrates barbecue is launching soon. It’s fittingly called the Kansas City BBQ Festival and will take place July 9-11, 2021 at the parking lot of Arrowhead Stadium. KC-based mainstays Joe’s Kansas City, Jones Bar-B-Q, and Plowboys BBQ will be the headliners but out-of-towners will also be there including 2M Smokehouse from San Antonio, TX, Black’s BBQ from Lockhart, TX, Central City BBQ from New Orleans, LA, and Sugarfire Smokehouse from St. Louis, MO. Other restaurants may be added as well. “KCQ is a celebration of award-winning barbeque – both here in Kansas City and from other barbecue hotbeds,” said Matt Kenny, EVP of Events for the Kansas City Chiefs. “We’re excited to be partnering with several barbecue powerhouses on this event. It will feel like pre-game tailgating as the parking lots fill with the barbecue fragrance we know so well.” The event will be a big one for Kansas City, as it is a barbecue capital but does not have an established non-competition event like this. READ HERE.
Greenville, S.C. staple Tommy’s Ham House, which has been open for 36 years, closed its doors for good this past weekend. But the storied institution will be starting a new life in about a year as a new location for Charleston’s Lewis Barbecue. Famed pitmaster John Lewis has made a name for himself in Charleston, and this will give him a way to expand his reach. Lewis said he will not be making a lot of changes to the restaurant to preserve its history but will be bringing more than 30 new smokers on site. “It’s a lot more exciting, coming to this place,” Lewis told the Greenville Journal. “We’re not starting from scratch. We’ve already got a leg up with all the work [Tommy’s] done here.” READ HERE.
Fox Bros Bar-B-Q, one of Atlanta's top BBQ joints, will be opening a second location this summer in Underwood Hills and a third location next year in Brookhaven. The third location is a new development, but it has a personal connection to the brothers. “When my brother and I started cooking barbecue, we did so in our backyard in Brookhaven, and we’re excited about the opportunity to return to the neighborhood,” Jonathan Fox said in a statement. “We’ve learned a lot over the past year and with this location, we want to highlight elements of classic Texas barbecue culture and the flavors that we grew up with.” READ HERE.
This week, Chicago-area music venue FitzGerald’s will add a barbecue operation called Babygold Barbecue from chef John Manion. FitzGerald’s is located in the suburb of Berwyn and as such, Babygold will serve up “Berwyn-style barbecue.” The star of the meat show will be “the $29-per-person deluxe plate with baby-back ribs, pork belly, brisket, and jalapeño cheddar sausage,” serving a minimum of four hungry people. READ HERE.
Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn reports that the new joint Smoak Town BBQ in Royse City, which opened last November is serving up some decent ‘cue. Perhaps better than food is the story behind the operation. After winning second place at a barbecue contest, Cameron Haley quit his sales job, parked a trailer on his father-in-law's property, and began smoking meats under the name Smoak Town BBQ. It was a serious gamble but “the bet is paying off.” READ HERE.
Chefs Todd Richards and Josh Lee have signed a lease to open a second location of their popular Atlanta-area barbecue joint Lake and Oak Neighborhood Barbecue. READ HERE.
ADDITIONAL READS
Author Adrian Miller (who spoke with us recently) wrote about the fascinating and little-known story of Marie Jean, an enslaved black woman who became a respected pitmaster in 1850s Arkansas.
The Washington Post reports that Money Muscle BBQ in Silver Spring, Maryland lives up to its name in more ways than one, with great barbecue that is on the money.
With prices up 50% in some cases, meat prices have soared for barbecue restaurants in Kansas City.
Celebrity chef Michael Symon is closing the B Spot burger restaurant in Woodmere, Ohio, and will re-open it as a new Mabel’s BBQ location.
Becca Miller shares the 17 best rubs you can buy for the tastiest barbecue ever, in Good Housekeeping.
The new Netflix show High on the Hog will debut later this month, celebrating the influence of Black culture on food in America.
Barbecue writer Robert Moss wrote about in his latest edition of The Cue Sheet.
Navin’s BBQ is set to open this spring in St. Louis and will be serving BBQ inspired by the traditions of Kansas City and Texas.
According to Houston Food Finder, desserts nearly steal the show at Killen’s Barbecue in the Woodlands.
Bryan’s Pit BBQ in the Original Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles will turn 70 this year.
The LAist published part one of an in-depth guide on where to find all of the different varieties of BBQ offered in the Los Angeles area.
Here are the 10 best vegan BBQ restaurants in America, according to USA Today.
Join The Smoke Sheet and Grill Girl each Thursday for our new show, This Week In Grilling and BBQ. Watch live on The Smoke Sheet’s Facebook page.
—Eliana Gutierrez of Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ is changing the game as one of America’s youngest pitmasters.—
WATCH
The Taste of Your Texas: Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ — Pepsi
Eliana Gutierrez, a game-changing Texas-raised BBQ pitmaster apprentice, is learning the ropes from Chef/Restaurateur Miguel Vidal and building her legacy at Valentina's Tex-Mex BBQ Truck in Austin. In this video from Pepsi, Eliana and Miguel show how they are breaking all kinds of barriers—one Tex-Mex BBQ brisket taco at a time. WATCH HERE.
LISTEN
How Do You Compare BBQ Joints? — Tales from the Pits
How many factors, and how important are those factors when comparing BBQ joints? Andrew and Bryan discuss sides, full menu strength, desserts, and the many elements that go into an experience factor. Is house-made sausage a must, and does a strong protein menu with average sides outrank a joint with a larger selection of quality items? Years ago commercial pickles and generic sides were standard fare, but the evolution of barbecue now includes everything from sides to desserts to pickles and even house-made bread at some establishments. Are those relevant when building a list? How much impact do fast service and indoor dining count versus a slower service and porta potties in the Texas Heat? LISTEN HERE.
READ
Hot and Fast BBQ on Your Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker: Master the Quickest Method to Smoking Mouthwatering Meats — Bill Gillespie
Bestselling author Bill Gillespie is the undisputed champion of all things barbecue, and he’s back to help you master the art of hot and fast grilling on your Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. He will teach you how to shave off hours of grilling time without sacrificing any of the flavors. This book is full of Bill’s best hot and fast recipes. You’ll love how quickly you can make timeless barbecue favorites, such as Monster Beef Short Ribs, Maple-Chipotle Glazed Pork Tenderloin, and Beef Tenderloin with Fresh Horseradish. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, try his grill-seared twists on familiar recipes, such as his Chicken Cordon Bleu Wrapped in Bacon or Crab-Stuffed Haddock. And be sure to check out his “Hotter and Faster Competition Dishes” chapter for meals that will win over anyone―whether it’s your friends and family or a panel of judges. After reading this, you’ll have everything you need to make your fastest, smokiest, and tastiest barbecue yet. PRE-ORDER HERE.
FOGO Premium Lump Charcoal lights quickly and burns hotter and longer. Click here to learn more about FOGO Charcoal.
—If you want an absolute flavor bomb and a renewed vision on street tacos, then look no further. (Photo by Ken Goodman)—
Chuck Roast Street Tacos
By Bill Gillespie
If you are looking for a last-minute recipe to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or if you are like us and just love tacos, you are in the right place. This recipe for Chuck Roast Street Tacos from Bill Gillespie will take you on a wild ride. The unique combination of flavors from the rub, smoke, and sauce are perfectly paired with onion, cilantro, cheese, and lime making for a truly delicious dish.
Dalstrong creates best-in-class tools at unrivaled price points. Click here to learn more about Dalstrong Knives.
—Early 2021 may be light on larger barbecue events, but we expect many to happen later in the year.—
May 7-8, 2021: The BBQ Fest on the Neuse — Kinston, North Carolina
The 39th annual BBQ Festival on the Neuse kicks off soon in Kinston, NC. The 2020 version of the event was canceled due to COVID-19, but it’s back in 2021 with a slightly different setup for safely. The festival will include barbecue, food competitions, shopping, arts and crafts, wine garden, children’s activities, and more. Expect a good time for families and BBQ enthusiasts. MORE INFO HERE.
May 12-15, 2021: Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest — Memphis, Tennessee
This four-day competition will be held in Tom Lee Park on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis. Teams travel from around the world to compete for the title of World Champion and a share of the more than $115,000 in prize money. Teams will compete in the championship pork categories of Ribs, Shoulder, and Whole Hog, as well as the ancillary competitions of Hot Wings, Sauce, and “Anything But Pork.” MORE INFO HERE.
May 29, 2021: 5 Boro PicNYC — New York, New York
This Memorial Day weekend, you won’t want to miss the food, drinks, and fun at the 5 Boro PicNYC at Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island, New York. This event will feature a new version of the Rib King NYC competition, winners from Sauce King NYC showing off their best sauces, and much more. BUY TICKETS HERE.
June 4-5, 2021: Hogs For the Cause — New Orleans, Louisiana
The bug Hogs For the Cause barbecue competition and festival is back in 2021 with a few changes. Proceeds still go to fight pediatric brain cancer, but this year's event will be held at a 15-acre site in Belle Chasse on the east side of the city. Organizers are limiting ticket sales to only 25% of the venue's capacity, and they will make the event cashless. MORE INFO HERE.
July 9-11, 2021: Windy City Smokeout BBQ & Country Music Festival — Chicago, Illinois
Get ready for beer, BBQ, and country tunes, because the Windy City Smokeout BBQ & Country Music Festival is returning to Chicago. The Windy City Smokeout is one of the largest barbecue festivals in the U.S. and typically features the world’s best pitmasters and more than 15 musical acts. Read our to learn about the experience. MORE INFO HERE.
NOTE: Due to the pandemic, it’s possible these dates and details might change. For the latest details, please check out our full events calendar.
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