BBQ is a true work of art. As with all art, it is subjective. Some like sauce, and some don’t. It is easy for a restaurant to claim to know how to cook incredibly good BBQ, but not all deliver equally. Here at For the Love of BBQ we have compiled a small list of BBQ red flags to easily avoid bad BBQ and to help you avoid the truly awful restaurants.
THE NOSE TEST:
When you walk in, take a deep breath through your nose. Most importantly, you better be able to smell some smoke and the savory yumminess that smoked meat offers.
FALL OFF THE BONE:
If the BBQ restaurant advertises rib meat that falls off the bone is a major red flag. The meat should not. If it falls off the bone, this is an indication the meat has been over cooked or has been sitting around too long in a warmer. If you really get down to it, rib meat that falls off the bone is primarily super expensive and dried out pulled pork.
WOOD PILE:
Do you see a wood pile anywhere near the restaurant? There better be one somewhere or you must question what they are cooking with or are they truly barbecuing their meat?
IS THERE A PIT:
Can you see the pit? BBQ Pits are big and difficult to miss. Most pit masters are proud of their pits and want to show them off. Along with lack of a wood pile, if there is not an obvious pit, where the meat is being cooked. Granted, I know of a few offenders in this category whom I shall not name.
Conclusion for the flags to easily avoid bad BBQ:
Finally, the above is not an all-inclusive list of things to avoid when selecting a BBQ restaurant, but it should get you off to a good start and avoid disappointment.