Trey Chapman is the Creator of Trey's Chow Down, Drink With Trey, and Trey's Chow Down T.V.. Always searching for the best chow, drink, chef's and good times for our fans and followers!
Today, we’re at the world-famous LEWIS BARBECUEÂ in Charleston, South Carolina, to research the meaty deliciousness we’ve heard so much about. This is where pitmaster and barbeque legend John Lewis has created a world of his own in the vast field of freshly prepared barbeque and eats. If you know me and my addiction to creative chefs, pitmasters, and culinary pioneers, you know why we had to make the trip.Â
When you make the corner and pull up toLEWIS BARBECUE, you notice the massive modern restaurant that bears his name. To be honest, it’s breathtakingly beautiful and totally unexpected. Set up with a beautiful Charleston landscape encompassing large southern trees, it’s inviting, cozy, and warm. You feel right at home or in someone’s backyard enjoying BBQ. But you’re not! You’re at the world-famous LEWIS BARBECUE fixing to slang back some of the BEST BBQ in the United States.Â
I live for telling back stories because anything tastes better with a little story-ness behind it. A trailblazer in the neo-traditional style of Central Texas barbecue, Pitmaster John Lewis uses his custom-made smokers to produce expertly smoked pork spareribs, beef ribs, “Texas hot guts“ sausage, and his legendary world-famous beef brisket.
Barbeque lovers unite! We discovered a NEW delicious barbeque destination that every meat lover should visit.  Welcome toPalmira Barbequein Charleston, South Carolina. When we heard about this now famous little BBQ joint you know we had to make the trip. We wanted to meet pitmaster Hector who is masterfully combining South Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rico flavors to create award-winning and famous meaty deliciousness. Palmira Beef Cheek Perfection
When I say famous and award-winning it’s a FACT! They’ve been featured in Forbes, Southern Living, The Local Palate, EATER Carolinas, Charleston Magazine,The Post and Courier, RESY, andTexas Monthly and I’m sure there’s more to come.  We’ve been traveling coast-to-coast, from Los Angeles to Miami and every in-between, on the hunt for America’s BEST BBQ. We’ve visited thirty-one states on our BEST BBQ mission. It was only fitting after I read, researched, and viewed all the delicious social media posts Palmira was a must-visit for us.
If you follow our foodie and travel adventures, you know I love to tell the backstories. I’m a firm believer that anything tastes better with a good story. This is why the Palmira story was so intriguing to me because pitmaster and owner Hector Garatehas an interesting family history. Buckle up it’s story time!Â
When we visited, I was honored to spend some time with Hector walking around his smokehouse area and discussing the finer details of his success. We also discussed his passion for designing and creating custom smokers. He showed me his latest whole hog smoker and it was beautiful. After speaking with Hector, I noticed that his passion for creating BBQ perfection was only matched by his love for serving people and seeing them smile with the satisfaction of deliciousness.Â
Hector’s passion for BBQ started at an early age and has not stopped him from perfecting his craft since. Born in Puerto Rico, he was exposed to whole animal cooking pra early on. Hector specializes in smoking beef cheeks, brisket, whole hog, and house-made sausages. In the pursuit of creating the best product, Garate devoted their free time to building his custom cooking appliances, in particular an offset smoker. Hector has partnered with Brasstown Beef, Creekstone Farms, and Peculiar Pig Farms to source the most sustainable farm-to-table smoked meats for Charleston, SC through Palmira Barbecue. Palmira Barbecue’s name is an homage to Hector’s grandmother, who grew up on a sustainable cattle ranch.Â
Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Baropened their new Fort Worth location last month to rave reviews. Fort Worthin’s love this new delicious destenation. They are one of my favorite brands and concepts so you know we had to make the trip to check it out and chow down. We fell in love with the new location and the overall vibe of the design. It just doesn’t get much better than a trip to W.C..
The new location is located in North Fort Worth at 2849 Heritage Trace Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76177.
Please view our video by clicking the link for the full overall HD WC experience.
Welcome to the 305 beautiful Miami, Florida and the amaizng JW Marriott Marquis® Miami. A fully renovated first-class hotel that offers artful spaces, extreme bliss, chef driven eats, craft cocktails, and wonderful service. We loved this hotel! a perfect 10 out of 10 for us. We travel coast to coast, and JW Marriott properties always shine like a diamond. This one was extra special with all its offerings. A must visit in Miami.
Offering sophistication, colorful design, art, fashion, and technology with increbible views from any window. It is perfectly located in downtown and offers easy access to Wynwood Art District, the Frost Science Museum, the Perez Art Museum, and the Miami Design District. Amazing and well desined amenities include stunning hotel rooms and suites, a stainless steel sky pool, a Mediterranean restaurant, an inviting spa, full tennis court, baskball court, pool table lounge, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
If you’re traveling to the Miami area for business or pleasure I would highly recommend you stay and enjoy the now NEW JW Marriott Marquis® Miami. It’s a new officially approved Trey’s Chow Down travel destenation for all to enjoy.
If you LOVE BBQ like I do we made a fantastic discovery for Texas-style BBQ mixed with some Cuban flare, beautiful Miami sun, and chef-driven sides to create BBQ PERFECTION with every tray.
Trey’s Chow Down road trip’in the USA coast to coast for BBQ DELICIOUSNESS. Today, we’re in beautiful Miami for the BEST BBQ experience offered in Miami. The inside atmosphere is modern commercial with gorgeous colors. The outside offers an amazing BEACH SIDE FLORIDA-style dining experience in the Miami sun. You grab a cocktail and sit inside the bar or just “Chow Down.” On the BEST BBQ and Chef-driven sides you can find in the Miami area.
The rest of the story:
Hometown Barbecue, located in the Allapattah neighborhood of Miami, is the second barbecue restaurant from Brooklyn restauranteur Billy Durney. Hometown is known for its authentic pit-smoked meats and traditional sides.
Miami HOMETOWNalso features a wood-fired menu that showcases a selection of dishes cooked over live fire. Their bar serves craft beers, seasonal cocktails, and a selection of wines by the glass and bottle.
Today, we made the long journey to beautiful and sunny TAMPA, FLORIDA. We heard there was a TEXAS influenced BBQ joint that was slang’n BBQ so tasty and delicious that it was unforgettable. In fact, truth is “Tampans” are in LOVE with this place, and when you love TEXAS BBQ like we do, we had to make the trip.
If you follow us you know we travel coast to coast searching for the BEST BBQ, BURGERS, PIZZA, BAGELS, DONUTS and SWEETS. I knew I made the right decision soon as we pulled up, and I could smell BBQ aromas lofting in the TAMPA air like thick clouds of smokey, meaty deliciousness.
Lifetime Tampa resident and creative pitmaster Danny Hernandez is so extremely passionate about barbecue and serving his community that he developed and created an entire destination that everyone can enjoy. Danny owns and operates The Brisket Shoppe and Grill & Provisions. It’s basically two destinations in one! Located in West Tampa at the same location offering more than just BBQ. Â You can get Texas influenced BBQ, tasty side dishes, sweet desserts, and pick out some BBQ equipment for your backyard. If that’s not enough for you, it gets even better. Recently, he added a new WINE ROOM offering all types of tasty wines. You can enjoy pairing with his delicious BBQ options, or you can take some home to enjoy. Don’t forget catering because they offer that too!
His BBQ offerings are plentiful! There is truly something for everyone. I know this because we tried a TEXAS size variety including, Danny’s famous brisket. The brisket was succulent, delicious, and coated with that bark-0-licious bark that I love. TEXAS style brisket prepared with fresh WAGYU BEEF and cooked low and slow to achieve the PERFECT brisket flavor. Every bite I took all I could think about was how it was worth the trip to TAMPA alone just for the brisket.
I love to chow down so I couldn’t just stop at the brisket. We enjoyed some juicy turkey breast, jalapeño and cheddar sausage link, and some unbelievably delicious slow roasted hog. WOW! It melted in my mouth! It was Heritage breed whole hog slow roasted and oak smoked to achieve the real deal MOJO, LECHON ASADO. I also had to get some pork ribs to top off the BBQ feast that were flavorful and fall off the bone delicious. The sides were tasty too! The mac-n-cheese, jalapeño poppers, and Dulce De Tres Leche Cake is also highly recommended when you order.
I couldn’t leave without trying one of Danny’s house prepared EMPANADA’S. It wasn’t a hard decision after I saw the name. It hit me like I saw bright neon lights, ” The Pitmaster Smokehouse Empanada. ” Oh my EMPANADA’S! Talk about deliciousness! ENPANADA HEAVEN and worth it!Â
If you’re looking for some delicious Texas style BBQ with a Tampeno influence that’s truly unforgettable. Then I would HIGLY RECOMMEND you make trip to chow down and enjoy some Brisket Shop deliciousness. You’re going to LOVE it! I’m sure you will tell everyone like I have how you were in BBQ HEAVEN in beautiful Tampa, Florida.
” If you love delicious flavor-loaded craft BBQ, succulent pork belly, fresh chef driven sides and savory sweet treats you’re going to LOVE this discovery. It’s TRULY where BBQ and FLAVOR take center stage. Please enjoy and share with others so everyone can enjoy this unforgettable craft BBQ experience. ” – TreyÂ
If you follow us, then you’re aware that we’ve been on the hunt for most unique and delicious BBQ joints America has to offer. We’ve visited 28 states and been on this mission for years and we’ve discovered some of the most incredible BBQ destinations. It’s difficult to stay on track because there are so many small family-owned BBQ joints popping up every day in cities big and small across America. But that being said, through our research, hard work and determination we think we’ve discovered some of the BEST joints to enjoy delicious BBQ in some of the most UNSUSPECTING places.
There are many things I love about Louisiana the culture, history, music, art, wildlife, people and the incredibly delicious food and drinks. Â What I was NOT expecting to discovery was a small Craft BBQ joint creating and slang’n some of the BEST BBQ in the USA. I was literally BLOWN away by the creative deliciousness of the smoked meats, unbelievable pork belly options, house sausages, fresh sides, pitmaster driven dishes, steaks, and house fresh desserts. Every single thing we tried was just DRIPP’IN with DELICIOUSNESS and so unforgettable I had naughty BBQ dreams for days after we left. YES! It’s truly that memorable and IMPRESSIVE!
It all started in Waggaman, Louisiana where JASON GONZALEZ was born.  His rise to pitmaster greatness and his passion for BBQ took an unusual path. He started as a drafter in the Maritime industry and slowly worked his way into the oil and gas industry and became a structural designer. He worked at Shell in New Orleans from 2010 to 2016 as a lead structural designer.  It was at this time he started smoking meats with a Masterbuilt electric smoker box. One might say that JASON got bit HARD with the BBQ bug at this time. In 2016 oil prices had an extreme decline and Shell laid off the entire design team. He took his severance check from Shell and purchased a YODER PELLET SMOKER in 2016. In August 2016 he created GONZO’S SMOKEHOUSE and started with POP UP’s. He did pop ups and festivals honing his craft for almost four years. THE REST THEY SAY IS HISTORY!
As we made our way driving through Luling I started to get excited because I knew there was NO WAY for a BBQ joint to survive in a community this small if it wasn’t unbelievable and offering BBQ perfection. When we pulled up and I saw the vehicles stack and packed in the parking lot and strung out all along the road way and people lined up like it was a JELLY ROLL or GEORGE STRAIT concert I had my answer. It was going to be POPP’IN!
Smoked Meat Art!
When we were walking up, I could smell the BBQ aromas lofting in the air and my BBQ senses cranked up to the “FULL TILT BOOGIE” status. Â I threw that door open and saw Jason’s big smile he was ready to SLANG that Q because he knew I was going to love it. I watched Jason and his family members bustling and hustling because the doors were fixing to open. They had folks stacked up and ready for smoked BBQ deliciousness. It was GO TIME at GONZO’S.
Pork-Belly Cartel ( WOW )
I stood and watched the PITAMASTER and ARTIST Jason cut the smoked meats, pork and sausages then layer my trays like an artist creates a painting. The BBQ meats and pork were glistening under the lights and my mouth started watering. I grabbed those trays and headed to our table it was CHOW DOWN TIME. Â The prime brisket and beef cheek were so tender and juicy I couldn’t stop eating it. The Wagyu Tri-Trip is what dreams are made of! The smoked turkey breast was so juicy it was DRIPP’IN down my chin. The Pastrami Beef Rib was Stupid delicious! Â The Brisket Boudin was dangerously delicious! But the PORK, OMG the pork! They don’t call GONZO’S the Pork Belly Cartel headquarters for no reason. Every single pork dish you try will be savory, flavorful and DRIPP’IN like ICE with DELICIOUSNESS. He’s won awards with his PORK and I know why because each bite is truly unforgettable. Â The Char Siu Pork Jowl Burnt Ends and the Hot Honey Jowl Cracklings are dreamy and EVERYONE NEEDS TO TRY THEM at least once in their life. The Cherry Cola Brisket Burnt Ends are so good they should be illegal in all fifty states. Â Yes, they’re that delicious!
Fresh sides let’s talk about his sides HOLY FARM FRESH. The Mac-N-Cheese, Smoked Broccoli and Kale Salad, Beef Cheeks Dirty Rice and Gouda Grits were so delicious I still haven’t stopped thinking about them to this day. Oh, and the fresh desserts are savory a little sweet and loaded with deliciousness. After about 10 minutes I literally had no words because everything was so F#$% delicious.
I’m telling you NOW and I’m telling you LOUDLYif you LOVETexas BBQ or any type of BBQ a visit to GONZO’S is A MUST from anywhere. I truly mean anywhere. He’s just outside New Orleans and easy to find. “Just be aware that everything you try is going to taste like ” MORE “ because ” MORE “ is all you will want.” I WILL NOT be responsible for your naughty BBQ dreams because you’re going to have them after you leave. It’s just a side effect from visiting one of the world’s BEST BBQ Joints.
BBQ is not just food or a passion for the GONZO’S family; it’s a way of life.
Take it from me TREY and make plans to visit and CHOW DOWN! It’s a TREY’S CHOW DOWN USA FAVORITE BBQ DESTINATION and A MUST VISIT for any BBQ and FOOD LOVER!
We have discovered that the WORLD’S BEST bagels are right here in North Texas! They were voted the WORLD’S BEST at the NEW YORK BAGEL FESTIVAL 2023, and after we heard that we headed over to chow down!
Today we’re at Starship Bagel for some seriously fresh and delicious bagels. If you follow me, you know we’ve been on a bagel quest across the USA. In the last four years we’ve enjoyed bagels from California to Florida, and everywhere in between. We’ve made it to 29 states thus far, and have enjoyed hundreds of bagels. When we heard about STARSHIP BAGEL, we had to make the trip to chow down.
Trey’s Chow Down Travel has discovered another DFW Staycation hotspot right in the middle of the DFW area. It has everything you need to enjoy and indulge in the perfect relaxation staycation and not have to travel far from home. It offers beautiful rooms and suites with a gorgeous lobby to enjoy some cocktails and socialize. The outdoor areas are something like you would find in Las Vegas from an incredible pool area with private cabanas to delicious chef driven eats all centered around Lake Carolyn and an unforgettable outdoor play area.
Welcome to Omni Las Colinas Hotel where they merge city energy with tranquility. The waterfront location overlooking Lake Carolyn invites guests to a peaceful oasis amid the bustling business district. Guest accommodations at the hotel in Irving, TX are bold and spacious—a place to relax and unwind after a day of play, leisure, or business. All the hotel rooms offer charming views of Lake Carolyn and Las Colinas. You can dine in one of three indoor or alfresco restaurants committed to the finest chef driven local fare. You can relax and enjoy a gondola ride along the Mandalay Canal. Take a swim or go stand-up paddle-boarding, then enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa located within our hotel in Las Colinas.
Happy BACON! Because everything is better with BACON!Â
Everyone dreams about bacon and millions enjoy bacon every day.
Trey’s Chow Down LIVE on Fox 4 Good Day.
When Trey’s Chow Down saw that 275 million Americans enjoyed BACON in 2023 I decided to highlight bacon. From the first sentence I wrote about bacon my mouth started salivating and all I could think about was how delicious bacon truly is.
Have you ever eaten a bad piece of bacon? I think not! No matter how it’s cooked, (soft, crispy, medium, or rock hard) bacon is always perfectly delightful.
Ever since 1500 B.C. folks have been eating and enjoying bacon. That’s a long time ago, but it just goes to show you how much everyone loves bacon.
Bacon’s history dates back thousands of years to 1500 B.C. The Chinese were curing pork bellies with salt. Basically, they were creating an early form of what we know today as bacon.
I’m shocked about how long ago bacon was being eaten and was created. I wonder how the first bacon fry went down. Here piggy piggy! Come here piggy piggy! Come over here let’s see if we can fry some of your body parts up? Seems legit to me lol!
Welcome BBQ lovers! Thanks for stopping by to learn more about the WORLD FAMOUS Kreuz Marketin Lockhart, Texas. We made the trip to this historic market to chow down and learn about their amazing lengthly history in TEXAS.
Their METHOD of preparing BBQ smoked meats is simple and they’ve followed it for over a century.
Top Quality Meat: Our entire operation begins and ends with prized Texas cuts — done and done.
Simply Seasoned: Nothin’ fancy — we dry rub our meats with the only two things that matter, salt and pepper.
Smoked To Perfection: We smoke ‘em over post oak wood in our signature pits — then we stop there.
They make it sound simple! In reality I’ve learned over my five decades in the food business you have to be perfect, have passion, experience and be consistent every single day with your cook. The KRUEZ FAMILY does just that! They BRING THE SMOKE to create TEXAS BBQ deliciousness every day and that’s what made them a LOCKHART LEGACY and WORLD FAMOUS.
It was an epic burger battle on a stormy and rainy day for our third year of the COWTOWN BURGER SHOWDOWN at River Ranch Stockyards. We had over 1,100 burger lovers show up to see who had the best burgers in North Texas! You could smell the smash burgers, classic and craft burgers cooking as the meaty deliciousness lofted in the air. Â There were burger slang’ers from Tarrant County, Parker County, Dallas County and more. In total we had twenty-five chefs, pitmasters, restaurants, and food trucks that showed up and showed out to create tasty burgers trying to win some of the 10,000.00 in cash and prizes. The creativity was flowing as they created some beautiful and amazing burgers that where truly unforgettable.
Folks attended the event to taste burgers and have some fun before they VOTED for the best TRADITIONAL BURGER, NON-TRADITIONAL BURGER, and THE FAN FAVORITE PEOPLE’S CHOICE.We had live music rocking in the hizzy, cocktails were flowing, and cold beer was pouring. The unlimited French Fry and Tater Tot Bar stayed packed with hungry burger lovers. It was our BIGGEST showdown yet, and we CANNOT wait for 2025! We will be adding additional burger slang’ers and prize money for even higher stakes.
 
