Today, we’re at the world-famous LEWIS BARBECUE 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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. 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!
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.
When you talk about Texas BBQ and all it offers then you have to mention Dayne’s Craft BBQ. They’ve won so many awards and accolades that it’s impossible to list them all. I’ve been following them since they began and I’ve watched them as they’ve climb their way to the TOP of the Texas BBQ peak. The success they’ve enjoyed has come from blood, sweat, tears, hard work and dedication to their craft. All the smoked meats, pork, sausages, sides, sweets, and burgers are simply RIDICULOUSLY DELICIOUS. They’ve even prepared AND SMOKED WHOLE HOGS where ever bite was PORK-O-LICIOUS.
Let’s talk burgers! They won the Cowtown Burger Showdown in Fort Worth at RIVER RANCH two years in a row. Dayne’s OG SMASH BURGERhas got a flavor profile so delicious that everyone wants it. It’s cheesy smash burger deliciousness that’s truly unforgettable. It’s become a TEXAS BURGER LEGEND running through Texas like a run away freight train.
Their story is great one: Dayne Weaver started his journey in Texas barbecue as a backyard smoker enthusiast. His father-in-law left a small kettle grill in his backyard in 2017, which he converted into a mini-smoker. He threw a brisket on and was immediately hooked. He began smoking meat every weekend; however, barbecuing is an expensive hobby. Dayne’s wife, Ashley, told him that if he was going to continue to cook regularly, he needed to find someone to buy it. That’s how “Dayne’s Underground Barbecue” was born.
Howdy BBQ lovers! We struck BBQ deliciousness in Savannah.
I just had to start off STRONG because FACTS are FACTS. I travel coast to coast hunting down deliciousness and I was excited to make the trip to Savannah to meet the SLOW FIRE BBQ team. I’ve heard so much about them through the BBQ world. Their craft BBQ, house prepared sides, fresh sandwiches and CHEERWINE are being talked about coast to coast and for good reason… It’s FREAKING DELICIOUSNESS ON THE NEXT LEVEL!
When I was walking up to the Starland Yard food truck park, I could smell the BBQ aromas wafting over the gate like a big cloud of deliciousness. I thought for a second, “Am I in Texas or Georgia?” That’s when I knew I was in for treat.
I walked up to the old converted school bus to meet the Slow Fire BBQteam, who were busy slang’n deliciousness out the windows for all the waiting BBQ lovers. It was hot… real hot, and the humidity was on full tilt. Everyone was hot and sweaty, but nobody cared because everyone was in full BBQ Boogie mode, waiting to chow down on Slow Fire perfection. As I always say: that’s the difference between BBQ perfection and just plain old BBQ. If folks are willing to wait, stand, and sweat waiting for their BBQ you know it’s pure perfection. I’ve seen it and I can guarantee that’s a FACT!
Pitmaster Terren Williams has paid his dues. Make no mistake about it, Slow Fire wasn’t an overnight success – it took years of grinding and learning to understand the BBQ game so he could create a legendary BBQ spot everyone would love. He grew up in Savannah, moved to Atlanta, and went to culinary school. Next, he moved to Dallas, Texas where he figured out real quick what real BBQ was. After visiting Lockhart at Smitty’s Market, he was immediately hooked. His passion hit overdrive and the gears started turning.
After staying in Texas for 10 years, learning and honing his craft, he moved back to Savannah and went to work as the chef de cuisine over The Grey for James Beard winner chef Mashama Bailey. When Covid hit, that came to an end and provided the perfect opportunity for him to start Slow Fire BBQ. He sources as much as possible from local farms to use the freshest meats, vegetables and ingredients to create flavor profiles are always HF&D: Hot, Fresh and Delicious. They believe in perfection with everything they serve or they won’t serve it.
As always, we tried a big variety of BBQ and sides. Every bite I took had that perfect culinary jingle I like to call BBQ deliciousness. The sides were so savory and delicious they’re unforgettable. I was blown away by the offerings, service and the pure BBQ perfection they offer. I can say they have the BEST BBQ in Savannah and the GREAT STATE of Georgia!
Fried Mac-N-Cheese Squares (OMG)
If you’re looking for something so delicious that you want to wear it has meat cologne so you never forget it I would HIGHLY SUGGESTyou take a ride over to SLOW FIRE BBQ and CHOW DOWN!
Features we enjoyed:
Fried Brisket Mac and Cheese Squares: Chopped brisket and Mac and cheese breaded and fried, topped with comeback sauce and side of house made hot honey made with local honey
Slow Fire BLT: Fried green tomatoes (locally grown), house pork belly brisket (pork belly seasoned and smoked like brisket), lettuce, comeback sauce, sliced fresh brioche
The Trey’s Chow Down – Slow Fire Platter:
Heritage breed duroc pulled pork, sliced Texas style turkey (dipped in butter), and succulent pork belly brisket.
House made sausages: One was pimiento cheese and the other is a low country boil sausage (made with all the ingredients of a low country boil stuffed in the sausage including locally caught ga shrimp!
Sides were smoked Mac and cheese topped with crunchies, fried Brussel sprouts topped with our house made Asian bbq sauce, coke slaw topped with chili crisp, burnt end baked beans and Savannah street corn (cut corn seasoned with harissa and topped with preserved lemon Mayo, cotija cheese and parsley.
Slow Fire Dino beef Rib. Pretty self-explanatory. Big PHAT meaty beef slowly smoked to perfection.
They make the pickles, pickled onions and BBQ sauce in house. The bread on our trays is a bread made locally in Savannah.
Slow Fire BBQ is a NEW officially approved Trey’s Chow Down USA delicious destination for all food lovers to enjoy.
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We discovered something quite special and unique, so we had to share it with the world. This is a restaurant offering multiple delicious features from one location in Arlington, Texas. That’s right – multiple features! Everything is prepared in-house using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, beef, and fish to create some tasty dishes that are unforgettable.
Welcome to M’Jay’s House of Smoke and TJ’S Catfish and Wings in Arlington, Texas. Located in the middle of the Fort Worth and Dallas metroplex, they’re offering amazing TEXAS CRAFT BBQ, TACOS, CATFISH, CORNBREAD, TEXAS-SIZE STUFFED TATORS, FROZEN COCKTAILS, and MORE. It’s a real treasure for food lovers because there is something for everyone and it’s all simply SCRUMPTIOUS.
Owned and operated by the Johnsons, a local Arlington, Texas family. Pit-master and Chef Marcus Campbell, Gwen Johnson, and Travis Johnson formed a partnership after Mr. Johnson (Dad) passed away unexpectedly. They wanted to honor his heritage and the restaurant he left behind. They spent some time remodeling and reopened after about four months for expansion and renovation. The rest, they say, is history because they’ve skyrocketed the restaurant to stardom, offering incredible customer service and deliciousness.
The TEXAS BBQ was succulent and loaded with flavor. The brisket was crusted and covered with BARK-O-LICIOUS BARK. The sausage was pure perfection, and the tacos tasted like MORE, because more is all we wanted. An absolutely incredible meal!
Now let’s talk catfish! It was slightly crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside; cooked to GBD #GoldenBrownandDelicious. Oh, and how about the house-prepared HUSH PUPPIES and corn bread? Perfect.
I know you’re already on your way, but if that’s not enough, how about a TEXAS sized baked potato? Two pounds of tater deliciousness. If you don’t desire a tater, then maybe you would love some Brisket Mac-N-Cheese? They also offer wings and you can choose your favorite flavors. They were cooked just the way I like, FLAVORFUL and DELICIOUS.
If you love to eat and you love big portions loaded with deliciousness, you need to head over toTJ’s and M’ Jay’sand Chow Down. They are a new official Trey’s Chow Down Delicious Destination for all food lovers to enjoy. You will Thank me later!
We’re always on the hunt for deliciousness coast to coast so follow our social media platforms for daily updates.
Trey ( Chow Down ) Chapman
Fresh, Phat, Three Headed Monster Two Pound Tater.Side View – Fresh, Phat, Three Headed Monster Two Pound Tater.Cheesy, Phat Packed Cheese Steak Sandwich – Dangerously Delicious!Fresh Fried Catfish with House Made Hushpuppies and Tasty Wings.
Driftwood is home to the world famous SALT LICK BBQ. As we pulled up I had a realization that any day is the perfect day to enjoy some Texas BBQ! We took a ride over because we’re on our MEETS, EATS and SWEETS Tour 2022 on the road to discover deliciousness all over the USA.
The Salt Lick doesn’t just serve great BBQ, they offer a TEXAS BBQ experience. They smoke all the meats you can imagine: brisket, pork, beef ribs, buffalo ribs, turkey, sausages, pork ribs… heck, we could go on forever. I’m pretty sure they could smoke anything and it would be delicious. The sandwiches are BIG, and loaded with meat too. They offer one, “Marino’s Triple Chop” that is crazy, meaty deliciousness.
Let’s also talk about the sweets: a slice of chocolate pecan pie, blackberry or peach cobbler and homemade pecan pie that is just insanely flavorful. You can also get a half tray of cobbler (peach or blackberry) TO GO.
The Texas BBQ is worth the drive alone, but it’s the atmosphere that makes you sit a spell. Plenty of inside seating with dining rooms that have an old TEXAS ranch-like atmosphere. The outside seating is truly Texas outdoors as well, complete with big and small trees providing shade over the whole property. They even have an adult-only section with tasty wine and good vibes.
If you follow me you know I’m big believer in overall foodie experiences, and that’s what you get when you Chow Down at The Salt Lick. I would highly recommend a day trip for some Texas Deliciousness. It’s the worth the drive from anywhere! They are a new official Trey’s Chow Down Delicious Destination for all BBQ loves to enjoy.
Hope to meet you a table soon for great conversation and some deliciousness!
Have you ever taken a bite of something so delicious that you thought to yourself, “I have to tell someone about this!” I’m sure you have because we all feel that way sometimes. It doesn’t matter if it’s savory, sweet, or both, we just want to tell someone about how perfect a dish was. After traveling around in 2021, eating and visiting with chefs and restaurant folks, I had an idea. I wanted to spread a little deliciousness among my friends; I wanted to share with everyone the BEST DISHES I ATE in 2021.
2021 was our most successful year at locating creative chefs and delicious dishes. We traveled through 10 different states, logging our most miles ever and visiting a record number of chefs and restaurants. I wanted to highlight some of the most unique and delicious dishes you should try in 2022. These are my top restaurants with dishes, and there’s a big variety so there’s something for everyone!
I enjoyed visiting and eating with some of the best chefs and restaurant folks in the business. Each dish has been carefully chosen and is a chef-driven dish prepared by the best! They only use fresh ingredients, vegetables, and spices to create some bold, modern flavor profiles that everyone will love. Most of the eats are simple dishes that are prepared with passion, love, and creativity. Remember, a simple dish is sometimes the most difficult to facilitate because all parts must be complete perfection. I believe that in most cases simple is better because it gives each ingredient that culinary jingle to create deliciousness.
I got invited to a V.I.P. barbecue and whiskey dinner last Thursday night at Barrel and Bones in Fort Worth, just off of West 7th Street.
When I answered the phone, all I heard was two words; Bar-be-que and Whis-key!
You never have to ask me twice when there is beef and whiskey involved. Especially when it’s craft Texas whiskeys and cocktails served up with big phat slabs of beef, smoked turkey, smoked wings, fried deviled eggs, and fried poblano corn Fritters. Yea I bet I have your attention now, don’t I?
So there I was sitting in Barrel and Bonesin Fort Worth salivating over smoked meats, tasty whiskey, and fried deliciousness.
The aromas coming from the kitchen were almost too much for this cowboy to handle. I was ready to pounce on some deliciousness and start slinging back some whiskey.
The barbecue and kitchen team at Barrel and Bones has done a great job at creating some amazing flavor profiles for all to enjoy.
The Trey’s Chow Down – Slow Fire Platter: 
