Walking into a new barbecue spot is an amazing experience filled with great smells and sounds. It makes you want to order everything you see right away. But paying attention to the menu can save you from a disappointing meal. Here are the menu red flags you might be missing when you sit down to eat.
Seeing Pasta On The Menu
A very named Chef Robbie Shoults says finding pasta at a barbecue joint is a massive warning sign. It usually means the kitchen is trying to do way too much instead of focusing on their smoked meats.
A Menu With Too Many Pages
A giant menu that looks like a book is another thing you really want to watch out for. Barbecue is already hard enough to get right without adding a hundred other random dishes to the daily mix.
Missing The Regional Specialties
You always want to look for the specific styles that match the actual region you are visiting. If you are in Texas you want brisket and if you are in the Carolinas you really should see whole hog options.
Trying To Be A Jack Of All Trades
A restaurant making burgers and tacos alongside their ribs might not master any of them. Sometimes it is better to find a place that only cooks a few things but cooks them perfectly every single time.
Fancy Variations Of Simple Classics
Barbecue is traditional food so seeing wild and crazy experiments on the menu can be a bad sign. You just want classic smoked meat without all the weird trendy stuff getting in the way of the flavor.
No Mention Of The Smoker Wood
Great barbecue places love to talk about the type of wood they use for their pits. If the menu does not tell you how they smoke the meat then they might just be cooking it in a regular oven.
Missing Classic Meat Platters
Offering a good variety of smoked meats on one plate lets you try what the pitmaster does best. If they do not have a combo platter it might mean they are not confident in their whole barbecue lineup.
Overpriced Basic Side Dishes
Sides like mac and cheese or collard greens should be simple and very affordable. When a place charges a huge amount for a basic scoop of beans it usually means you are paying for the restaurant name.
Sauce Served On Everything Automatically
Good smoked meat should taste amazing all by itself without needing to be covered in liquid. A menu that says all meats come drenched in barbecue sauce might be hiding dry cuts from the customers.
Forgetting The Traditional Sides Completely
You really need those classic sides to balance out a heavy barbecue meal with your friends. A menu that swaps out potato salad for fancy modern appetizers is missing the whole point of a great barbecue experience.
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