The Lowdown: Saluting Veterans + Turkey Time at Hickory Soup Kitchen

Gratitude for Veterans Beyond an Annual “Thank You”

Barbecue news slows a bit as the thermometer dips, and before The Low & Slow Barbecue Show pauses for a short winter break, this Veteran’s Day edition of The Lowdown offers a salute to the folks who defended our freedom.

Our nation is erected on the souls who sacrificed themselves toward the loftiest of ideals: our individual freedoms to worship, speak, work and live as one sees fit. Regardless of the conflict or its motivations, members of the U.S. military selflessly serve their nation without need for recognition or even “thank you.”

While not all veterans who served did so voluntarily, regardless of whether they were pressed into duty by conscription, circumstance or career aspirations, those men and women who pledged to defend our nation deserve our respect and gratitude.

Today, there are 15-17 million veterans living in the U.S. – about 6% of the U.S. adult population.  I’d guess the veteran density among barbecue fanatics is higher.

And outside those probabilities, I’m honored to enjoy personal connections with active and retired military members in our barbecue community. For those men and women and all who served the United States as a member of the military, a word of thanks is never enough to repay the debt.

But I believe that when we commit to relentless, daily pursuit of those “lofty ideals” and individual freedoms, it helps raise the balance a bit closer to what it is due.

Turkey time! Operation BBQ Relief N.C. Leader Powers Turkey Drive for Hickory Soup Kitchen

Volunteers and community supporters will provide 150 turkeys and feed 500 families this Thanksgiving thanks to a partnership between Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) and Hickory Soup Kitchen (HSK).

OBR’s North Carolina Area Coordinator Scott Jarrett launched the post-retirement project with HSK Executive Director Austin Pearce more than a decade ago.

A modest start escalated to serve many more families quickly with the support of Operation BBQ Relief – especially after Hurricane Helene devastated much of Western North Carolina last year. 

Listen to Thursday’s episode of The Low & Slow Barbecue Show to find out more about the project that allows community members to buy one $50 turkey and donate 2 turkeys to the feeding project.

We also get the logistics behind brining and smoking 150 turkeys and talk about favorite Southern sides at the Thanksgiving table. 

Hear Scott talk about the project in this short video from last year. 

Extra Media Miles: Celebrations, Revisions and Clapbacks Extend MICHELIN Buzz

Last week’s MICHELIN Guide for its first-ever American South edition, naturally, spurred just as much commentary as the ballyhooed announcement a few months ago. Maybe more.

MICHELIN’s morning distribution of a winner press release before the awards ceremony in Greenville generated conversation. There were probably guffaws from the same media that enjoyed a head start on the celebrations and second-guessing.

The News & Observer’s Drew Jackson charted out a list of Raleigh left-outs here. He notes that the N.C. barbecue scene is well represented in the guide, but he lobbies for Lawrence Barbecue, where pitmaster Jake Wood is “serving one of the most fun menus around.” Chef Ashley Christensen’s Death & Taxes belongs on the list, too.

Meanwhile, Southern Living BBQ Editor Robert F. Moss attended the event and uses his newsletter to answer a few of his own pre-show questions, including “what about barbecue?”

In all, 10 barbecue restaurants across the American South were included in the list, but none received stars, and Robert offers a few more musings about why in his coverage for Southern Living.

Carolina BBQ News: Lewis Barbecue Coming to Raleigh

Lewis Barbecue is planning a new location in Raleigh at Salvage Yard next year. The 8,276 square-foot space will feature a separate 1,625 square-foot commercial smokehouse. Originally launched by John Lewis in Charleston, Lewis Barbecue has expanded to Greenville and Atlanta, which is expected to open in December.

Shepard Barbecue’s brisket was the best discovered during a 3-week Carolina “foodie road trip” in Travel + Leisure. The Wilmington stop with Shepard was one of three barbecue selections from the five Carolina regions covered in the article. Lewis Barbecue in Charleston (and its green chile corn pudding) and Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh are also featured in the itinerary. 

Twisted BBQ won the Southern BBQ Network Invitational’s Grand Champion Trophy and cash prize at Monck’s Corner Lions Club’s annual event in South Carolina. The Ultimate Tailgaters earned Reserve Grand Champion honors. 

Alabama Barbecue Chase is going nationwide and inviting barbecue enthusiasts to join the pursuit. Collect your notes, photos and map locations, and fill in the form to pin your favorite barbecue joints in the U.S. map.

Upcoming Carolina Barbecue Events:

BBQ Food Trucks: Nov. 12-16

Wednesday, Nov. 12

• The Cheef: 109 Hendersonville Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC, 12-6 p.m.
• Close Fire BBQ: Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company, Raleigh, 5 – 9 p.m.
• Jon G’s: Open Tap, Charlotte, 5 p.m. until sold out.
• Off the Hog: Abingdon Duke Health, Morrisville, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Smoking Aces: UNC Rex Hospital – Blue Ridge, Raleigh, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Unity BBQ: Ollie’s Parking Lot, Rockingham, NC,  11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Thursday, Nov. 13

• Chicken-N-Que: The Can Opener Food Truck Park, Durham, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Fat Buddy’s BBQ: Wedge Park, Charleston, 5 – 8 p.m.
• Lawrence & Perry BBQ: Carolina Bait & Tackle, Henderson 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Smoked Pickle Barbecue: 920 Ebenezer Rd., Knoxville, TN, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Smokehouse Bandits: Central Park Office Building, Durham, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 14

• Blue Suede BBQ: Rec Bar and Arcade,  Southern Pines, NC, 5-9 p.m. 
• CJ’s Pit Smoked Ribs: Schwarzbar Ale Haus, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Conover, NC.
• Master Blend Family Farms: Downtown Kenansville Square, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Smoked Pickle Barbecue: 920 Ebenezer Rd., Knoxville, TN, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Union Barbecue: Southern Range Brewing, Monroe, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 15 

• The Cheef: Oskar Blues Brewery, Brevard, NC, 11-7 p.m. or sold out.
• Union Barbecue: Birdsong Brewing, Charlotte, 12 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 16

• Union Barbecue: Substrate Collab w/ El Veneno.

BBQ Fundraisers

Bourbon, Boots & BBQ: Nov. 15, 4-8 p.m. Wilmington. Cocktails, pulled pork, and live bluegrass music to support the Historic Wilmington Foundation. 

Sam Jones BBQ Crew Showdown: Saturday, Nov. 16, Greenville, 1-4 p.m. Sam Jones BBQ’s smokehouse staff will divide into four teams to compete for people’s choice awards. Tickets $50 and include a plate from each team, a BBQ sandwich, non-alcoholic beverages, and 3 beer vouchers. Proceeds support Make-A-Wish Foundation’s wishes for two children in the Greenville community.

The Barbecue Lunch: Dec. 6, Church of the Incarnation, Highlands, NC, following Highlands Christmas parade until 2 p.m. $15. Proceeds benefit Highlands Community Child Development Center.

Southern BBQ Network Competitions

Vicious Pig BBQ Showdown: Nov. 15, Steadman, NC.

Have a BBQ event or food truck you want to promote? Email details to [email protected].

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