This year has included some major life events, but that hasn’t stopped us from continuing to try barbecue all around the country. We’ve traveled to several cities throughout 2022, using our time to see what’s happening on the ground and tasting innovative dishes that pitmasters have been cooking up.
Although the year isn’t done yet, we’ve had enough bites that we felt strongly about sharing some of the best with you. Without further adieu, here are seven of our favorite dishes from BBQ restaurants we ate this year.
The Pad Thai Brisket from Buck Tui BBQ in Kansas City is a standout dish. (Photo by Ryan Cooper)
Pad Thai Brisket — Buck Tui BBQ
This year, Ryan had the opportunity to experience Buck Tui BBQ, and declared it one of the most exciting and interesting new barbecue restaurants in Kansas City. Several dishes at this Thai-inspired barbecue restaurant were showstoppers, including the Brisket Rangoon appetizers, Thai Sausage Dumplings, Duroc Pork Ribs with Sweet Chili Glaze, Smoked Chicken served with Papaya Salad, Pineapple Rib Fried Rice, and Red Curry Brisket Burnt Ends. However, the Pad Thai Brisket is a wonderful entree for barbecue fans who want to explore Buck Tui’s unique Thai flavors.
The Korean Pork Ribs at Hometown Bar-B-Que in Brooklyn are a must-try. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
Korean Pork Ribs — Hometown Bar-B-Que
While Sean has visited Hometown Bar-B-Que in Brooklyn many times, it’s been a few years since he has had the Korean Pork Ribs. While Hometown is best known for its brisket, beef ribs, pastrami, and innovative sandwiches like lamb banh mi, the Korean Pork Ribs stood out when he visited earlier this year. These ribs are made with Korean BBQ glaze, scallions, cashews, fried shallots, and garlic. If you visit, be sure to order some for the table.
Patrick Feges of Feges BBQ in Houston was one of the first pitmasters in Texas to regularly feature whole hog barbecue on the menu. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Whole Hog — Feges BBQ
This year we spent a significant amount of time exploring the barbecue scene in Houston. We were fortunate to visit the new Spring Branch location of Feges BBQ. Pitmaster Patrick Feges shared his secrets for cooking whole hog barbecue, and we were blown away. While Texas barbecue is certainly more well-known for smoked brisket, it was a wonderful change of pace to be able to experience the whole hog barbecue tradition that is more often associated with the Carolinas.
The smoked Corned Beef Brisket from Pig Beach put all other Corned Beef to shame. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
Corned Beef Brisket and Cabbage — Pig Beach NYC
While St. Patrick’s Day may not be a huge day for barbecue, Pig Beach NYC in Brooklyn made this past St. Pat’s memorable with Corned Beef Brisket special. Sean’s not a fan of traditional boiled corned beef, so he was happy to try this Corned Beef that is closer in profile to pastrami, served over cabbage and potatoes. Sean will be strongly encouraging all friends and family to retire their boiled meat in favor of smoking them for all future St. Pat’s gatherings.
Make sure you order the pork belly burnt ends (along with everything else) at Chef J BBQ in Kansas City’s West Bottoms. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Pork Belly Burnt Ends — Chef J BBQ
Burnt ends are a Kansas City barbecue specialty, with the delicious brisket morsels having allegedly been made famous by Arthur Bryant at his legendary restaurant. However, Chef J BBQ opts to reserve the brisket for thick, moist slices. The burnt ends pitmaster Justin Easterwood serves instead are pork belly burnt ends, which melt in your mouth and are often the first item to disappear off platters at this new school, craft barbecue joint in the West Bottoms.
The smoked chicken and waffles at Gatlin’s BBQ in Houston was one of the best BBQ breakfast items we ate in 2022. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Chicken Wings and Waffles — Gatlin’s BBQ
We love BBQ breakfast, and frankly, we wish it were more widely available. So when we were visiting Houston, we were thrilled to try out the breakfast at Gatlin’s BBQ. While everything we tried was great, the standout item was the chicken wings and Belgian waffles, with a side of maple syrup. The classic Southern wings were crunchy, juicy, and full of flavor, and they paired perfectly with the fluffy, tasty waffles.
The pork belly bao buns special at Blood Bros. BBQ was spectacular. (Photo by Wai Chan)
Char Siu Pork Belly Fried Bao Buns — Blood Bros. BBQ
One additional stunning item we tried while we were running around Houston was the Char Sui Pork Belly Fried Bao Buns at Blood Bros. BBQ. This Wednesday-only special is outrageously delicious, with smoked pork belly, Chinese hot mustard, and pickled spinach on a honey-glazed fried bun. If we could try every special on the board at Blood Bros. BBQ, we would in a heartbeat.
Sean Ludwig (NYC BBQ) and Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist)
Co-Founders, The Smoke Sheet
