AJC rates Atlanta Rib Joints

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_7732/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=qhz9Eo10

Best of the Big A
Published: Today
Best of the Big AThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, May 29, 2009
Visit Best of Big A on accessAtlanta. com to nominate, vote, and see Your Picks and Our Picks for the best of Atlanta! This week’s winners:

Where can you get the best barbecued ribs in and around Atlanta?

YOUR PICKS 1. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q 2. Fatt Matt’s Rib Shack 3. Daddy D’z 4. Swallow at the Hollow 5. KC Pit BBQ

OUR PICKS 1. Dave Poe’s 2. Hometown Barbecue 3. Maddy’s 4. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q 5. Pig N Chik

These ratings do not reflect the opinions of Swine Is Fine or its staff. They are from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Review of Jambone BBQ in Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Yesterday I ate at Jambone in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. I was skeptical of the place due to its "stripmall by the beach" location. I was pleasantly surprised. Jambone has kind of strange counter service and you have to buy your beer separately from your food at the bar, but it turned out not to matter to me. We shared pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches. Our sides were beans, collard greens, and french fries. The pork was very, very good. It tasted like it was smoked on a real wood fire smoker as opposed to the electric smoker/wood chips that so many people have going on these days. The meat was perfectly "marbled" and the sandwich was a very good size. Not massive, but very good meat to bun ratio. There were three sauces available. They all seemed to be vinegar based and were not sweet. Kind of a Northern Alabama meets Memphis kind of flavor to everything. The chicken was so good that it almost makes me risk being a heretic and saying it was better than the pork, but I better not do that. It was lean and smoky and pulled into small strips. Fantastic. The beans were unlike any I have ever had. Hard to describe, but very good. The greens were better than ok. All and all, I will give Jambone 4.5 out of 5 slabs. The score will rise if my next visit demonstrates consistency. I am going to try the ribs in the next day or two. I will be sure to show them to you.

Noooooooo!!!!

How cruel can you get? Why don't they go ahead and set up a closed Hooters next to it?

Germany's Feral Pig "Problem"

I know that some of you have been following the so called "problem" of the overpopulation of feral hogs in urban and suburban areas of germany. Oh if only I could encounter that problem in my back yard. Schweinebraten anyone...

http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-05/wild-boars-menace-germany-could-it-happen-here

Can you guess these ribs?

These were just eaten here at the office for lunch. They travelled almost 20 miles to get here. They were some of the best we have had in weeks.

Swine for Breakfast

There are very few better ways to start your day than a nice hearty breakfast that makes you so full you want to go right back to bed. Although i am sure there are plenty of different types of delicious sausages you can choose to go with your eggs, I prefer the Jimmy Dean Original Links. They are always reliable, and always delicious. The links have a nice firm exterior holding in a surprisingly juicy interior. The instructions call placing a 1/4 cup of water in with the links and cooking on high heat until the water evaporates, and then reducing the heat and cooking for 4-5 minutes. For a good twist, instead of water, throw in some beer instead. That may not sound appetizing if this is a meal you are eating right before work, however, it is a great way to start a lazy Saturday or Sunday.

I found this piece named 'Pigs named Arnold' when I googled what happened Arnold from Green Acres(Pulp Fiction reference)

"The secret is out . . . there were actually SEVERAL Arnolds, because as each Arnold grew in size he needed to be replaced by a more diminutive replacement (an adult sow or boar can weigh up to 900 pounds by 20 months of age.) Furthermore, many of the Arnolds were female.
The original Arnold was a pedigreed Chester White pig from Indiana. He was trained by Frank Inn, who owned and trained the entire Arnold line. The fate of the first Arnold was a sad one. The story, as related in The Hooterville Handbook, A Viewers Guide to Green Acres, by Stephen Cox (St. Martin's Press), goes like this: once Arnold had out-grown his cuteness (and reached about 300 pounds) the studio had no further use for him, so Inn had him butchered. In a story twist reminiscent of Hitchcock, the moment Inn sat down to eat his first piece of the meat the phone rang. Green Acres wanted Arnold back to shoot some more scenes. Inn never ate any of the pork, and he never killed another one of the pigs. Once they got too big for the show he let them live out their natural lives on a farm. Each pig lived to be about 10 or 12 years old.
Arnold was by far the most popular character on Green Acres, and while his human co-stars occasionally begrudged his fame (Miss Gabor would sometimes refer to him as "that dreadful pig"), he did bring in the ratings. Sacks of fan mail poured in for the little porker, and he actually made guest appearances on What's My Line* and The Joey Bishop Show. Arnold toured 4-H clubs and schools around the country, and was twice named Best Actor and recipient of a Patsy Award, an annual honor bestowed to animal performers by the American Humane Society.
In addition to handling Arnold, Frank Inn trained animals for dozens of movies and TV shows over a career that spanned six decades. His best-known animal was the spunky, heroic mutt Benji, whom Inn rescued from the Burbank Animal Shelter in 1960. Inn died on July 28, 2002 at the age of 86."

Well...This, of course, is all believable except for one major affront to the contributing staff of SIF: there is no way that Frank Inn sat down to a properly prepared plate of delicious pork and refused to take a bite until after he answered the phone. In fact, ‘Arnold I’ was most likely SAMPLED prior to being plated, and the subsequent call of concern being placed from Hollywood.

Though his charm as supporting actor to leading lady Zsa Zsa Gabor tugged at all of our hearts, let’s be clear in dispelling this urban myth here: The Original Arnold died of what is considered in Red States to be a natural cause for pigs. I assert with High Conviction that Arnold I from green Acres became a delightful smorgasbord of various pork offerings, and was simply enjoyed a second time.

-BigEasyGreasy

*Arnold’s appearance on What’s My Line was highlighted by an answer of a barely audible series of grunts which we later were able to translate using sophisticated animal language equipment to have meant: “What’s my line? My line is ‘Swine is fine’, pal.”

What is the best bacon money can buy???

Review of Smokejack in Alpharetta, GA

Two nights ago, I took my usual trip to Smokejack. It is one of my favorites. Between us, we had the pulled pork plate and the burnt ends. They were great as usual. Since it was a weeknight, I took it easy on the sides and just had the beans and coleslaw. Nothing special, but solid. I would have preferred the corn pudding because it is the best, but I have to take some steps to keep my fatness from spiralling out of control. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of visiting Smokejack, it is a mix of upscale and classic decor with the upscale part winning. Sadly, that adversely affects my rating, but some of you may like it a lot. It is in an old brick building in downtown Alpharetta, GA. There is a good bar and a large dining room. There is a room upstairs that has been the host of several whiskey and cigar parties that I have attended. All of which I have enjoyed thoroughly. I have never had bad food there and the service is always good and friendly. If the place was a little more traditional (grungy), then I would give it a little bit higher rating, but that is just my personal preference. Purely for the food, it is a can't miss. I continue to give Smokejack a rating of 4.75 out of 5 slabs.

Darn Good Sandwich in So Cal

Golden Baked Ham in Encinitas, California does it right with their sandwiches. This place is comparable to a Honey Baked Ham store, except that it is locally owned, and they make killer ham sandwiches. The combination of the honey ham, and the soft rolls is really what separates these sandwiches from the rest. Of course, there are plenty of other "meat" options, but stick to the swine. There is also a nice selection of sides, my 3 favorites being the slaw, beans, and macaroni salad which has a good mustard flavor. It goes perfect with the ham. This place is definitely a locals favorite.

My Lunch

I won't rate or review these ribs because they don't deserve that honor. They do, however, prove that swine can be found in somewhat unlikely places. I eat at my desk so I usually just have to get whatever is delivered or what someone will go out to get so I have to be creative to maintain an acceptable level of pork in my diet. These ribs came from Simon's Chinese Food in Alpharetta, GA. They were tough and lacked flavor, but they did exist and they did bring me pleasure.

Fox Brothers BBQ, Atlanta, GA

Where to begin...... I have the great fortune to live near one of, if not the best BBQ joint in Atlanta. Fox Brothers BBQ is as good as it gets. Located on DeKalb Ave., it's decor is right inline with what a BBQ restaurant should be. Beer signs & license plates hang from the walls, and mismatched chairs surround the tables. The outdoor seating & dining is great & on a nice day, the rumble of Marta & commerical freight lines across the street just adds to the overall experience. Anyways, the real reason people flock to Fox Bros, is of course the smoked meat. The ribs (pork & beef) are outstanding, along with the brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey. Fox Bros. lets the meat do the talking, no need to smother everything in sauce, the dry rub that they use is all that is necessary for a true BBQ experience. Side items & appetizers are also creative & delicious.. from tator tots covered in Brunswick stew & cheese, to fried mac & cheese. This place has it all when it comes to BBQ. I gotta give this place 4 7/8ths slabs outta 5 the 1/8th deduction is due to the meat coma that sets in after leaving, that pretty much renders you worthless for the rest of the day........

Restaurant Review: Brett's BBQ in Encinitas, CA

Brett's BBQ emphasizes smoked meats as explained plainly in the restaurant motto, "If It’s Not Smoked, It’s Not Barbeque." We went to the Encinitas location which is the sister location of the original in 4S Ranch. They opened this restaurant fairly recently, and the sparkling interior proves it. After ordering your meal at the front counter, you choose your table, and the food is brought out to you. The dining room is a comfortable, simple environment, with 4 plasma TV's. They also have a small patio out front with heaters.

Between us, we ordered a half rack of baby back ribs and a pulled pork sandwich, with coleslaw, beans, and potato salad as our sides. I thought the pulled pork sandwich was a little dry, but had a nice flavor. The dryness could be overcome with a little of their BBQ sauce, which we both agreed had a nice, sweet taste without being overwhelming. The smoky flavor really came through on the Ribs, which had a nice glaze over them, without being too "sauced up." The meat didn't quite have the tenderness I had anticipated, but we went for lunch on a slow day, so that may have had something to do with it. The beans and coleslaw were nice compliments to the meal. The beans were thick and hearty, and the coleslaw was more like a small cabbage salad with a light vinegar taste to it. In addition to good food, Brett's BBQ has a very nice selection of both bottled and tap beers.

For Southern California, I thought this was a good BBQ restaurant. I was wrestling with a 3 or a 4 rating out of 5, so i decided to cheat and give it a 3.5 out of 5 slabs. I think this has the potential to be a solid 4, but I'd like to give it another shot for dinner before giving my final rating.

KC Pit BBQ Atlanta/Sandy Springs Review

This afternoon I had my first chance to try KC Pit BBQ on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs/Atlanta, GA. It is upscale as far as Barbecue joints go. The theme and decor could probably be described as "upscale Atlanta urban in the suburbs". I wanted to provide you a review of the Rib Tips Appetizer but our server neglected to bring it to us. The service was pretty slow. I was only able to put back two beers during the whole dinner. With good, fast service I am usually able to get into three or four of them. My wife ordered burnt ends. They were neither burnt, nor ends. They were more like fatty cubes of beef brisket. They were spiced well and tasty though. I had the pork sandwich. After all, I was there for the swine. The sandwich was good enough to salvage the experience. The meat had a nice "real smoke" flavor and had just the right amount of "marbling". The sauce was very Kansas City sweet and it was good. Baked Beans were good too. I would describe them as BBQ Beans. Very flavorful. I was there early, but a full jazz band was setting up when I left at about 6:30 and the place was filling up. It looked like it was probably going to make for a good time. I may have been able to give this place a better rating had I actually received my rib tips, but due to spotty service and a pork sandwich that was good, but not exceptional, I will have to give KC Pit BBQ 3 out of 5 slabs. Maybe another visit will improve that, but I will have to wait and see.

Some Mothers Day Gift Ideas from Honey Baked Ham

http://www.honeybakedonline.com/HBOnline/Shop/ItemList.asp?CATID=3173&WCWSC=3173&Ref=15163626:244233938

Weekend BBQ Cookoff

It appears that there is a BBQ cookoff this weekend in Guin, AL. It is between Birmingham and Tupelo if I remember correctly. Info is below...

Guin —- The 16th annual Mayfest, May 8-9, features live music, a tractor pull and parade, a car show, a dog show, a 5K run, a bake sale, a barbecue cookoff and more. 256-350-3500, www.guinal.orgmayfest_ap.pdf

Can anyone identify this man?

Rumor has it that he was one of the greatest purveyors of swine that Pine Bluff, Arkansas has ever seen. We will forgive him for the beef reference on the apron.

Man, 66, arrested after hunting hog to celebrate son's release from jail

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A 66-year-old man faces a felony armed trespassing charge after telling sheriff's investigators he was hunting a hog to celebrate his son's release from the county jail, according to an arrest affidavit released Wednesday.
Deputies were called Tuesday to the area of Glades Cut-Off and Rangeline roads after someone reportedly spotted two men walking toward a pasture. One of the men reportedly had a rifle.
A deputy saw two men walking in a grove at the intersection, but the men went between some trees after seeing his vehicle.
About 10 mintues later, a sergeant saw a man with a rifle. The sergeant grabbed his assault rifle and ordered the man to drop his weapon.
The man, identified as Guillermo Cabello, 66, told investigators he was hunting a hog to celebrate his son's release from jail.
Cabello, of the 900 block of Ohio Avenue in Fort Pierce, said he had permission to be in the grove to hunt, but the property owner and a representative for the property manager reportedly said no one was given permission to hunt there.
Cabello said two other men _ one with a rifle _ were in the groves with him, but sheriff's investigators didn't find them.
Cabello was arrested on a felony armed trespassing charge.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/may/06/man-66-arrested-after-hunting-hog-celebrate-sons-r/

Review: Spiced Right Ribhouse BBQ - Roswell, GA

Spiced Right has the right look and feel for a traditional bbq restaurant. The smoker is usually going outside in the parking lot and the interior is basic but adequate. There is a very small stage in one of the corners for live blues on weekends. I was there on a weekday evening and ordered a pulled pork sandwich, a half a rack of ribs, and four sides (baked bean, cole slaw, corn souffle, and hashbrown casserole). The sandwich was tasty after adding some of their bbq sauce but the pork's flavor did not hold up well on it's own. The meat was moist but I found the flavor a bit bland. The ribs were a bit dry/tough but they had a wonderful flavor. The side items really shined, with the hashbrown casserole being at the top of the list. The baked beans and cole slaw were standard but delicious and the corn pudding was great as well.

I feel Spiced Right has true potential and it's possible that I was there on an off night. That said, I'll give them one more shot before submitting my final rating but for now I would give them 3 slabs (out of a possible 5).

Spiced Right Ribhouse BBQ
635 Atlanta Street
Roswell, GA 30075

Review Wanted

If anybody has been to Abdullah the Butcher House of Ribs and Chinese Food on Fairburn Road in Atlanta, we would love to hear about it and see pics if possible. Please post.

Thanks,
Mr. Clovenhoof

No Pig Should Be This Alone

Afghanistan’s Only Pig in Solitary on Swine Flu Fears, AFP Says
2009-05-06 13:12:47.573 GMT


By Peter S. Green
May 6 (Bloomberg) -- Afghanistan’s only pig has been
quarantined in the Kabul Zoo to keep visitors from panicking
over fears it might give them swine flu, the zoo’s director told
Agence France-Presse.
Afghans know little about the virus, and could panic upon
seeing a pig, AFP said, citing Aziz Gul Saqib. There are no
farmed or wild pigs in the strictly Islamic country, although
some pork is imported for eating by foreigners, AFP said.
There have been no confirmed cases of swine influenza,
formally known as H1N1, in Afghanistan, which has no direct
flights to countries affected by the virus, AFP said.
The pig, known simply as “Pig,” according to AFP, was one
of two swine given to the zoo by the government of China in
2002, months after the ouster of the Islamic fundamentalist
Taliban regime. When its mate was eaten by a bear, Pig
befriended a goat in the zoo’s small collection, Saqib told AFP.