There is little doubt that I am a big barbecue fan. I have written
about a number of barbecue spots like Bastians in Roanoke, Va in my
post "Friday night at the Barbecue Joint." Then I wrote about a spot actually called the "Barbecue Joint" located on Weaver Dairy Road near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It was mentioned in my post, "Back to the mountains."
Then there was the visit to Allen & Sons Barbecue, Chapel Hill, NC which was recommended by my friend Cameron. When I took my real estate broker course in Hickory, NC, I discovered a really great spot, "FireBonz." I even hauled back barbecue in a cooler to Roanoke a couple of times from Firebonz.
There have been a very few barbecue meals that I didn't consider a success like the one we had at Olde Virginia Barbecue in Rocky Mount, Va. However, the general rule is that any barbecue is better than no barbecue. As I said in "Barbecue And More Barbecue," I love barbecue.
Since I have been wandering around North Carolina's Crystal Coast, I have been suffering from a barbecue drought. Early one morning on my way to a very useful NC broker post licensing course in Wilmington, I happened to notice a metal roofed building called "The Smokehouse" on the west side of US 17. I made a note of the mileage, and promised myself if that I had a good day in class that I might stop by and check it out on the way home.
We had one of the most productive days that I have enjoyed in my many real estate classes. With that as a background, I was on the lookout for The Smokehouse. I walked in and without even looking at the menu, I asked if they did barbecue by the pound. The young lady said yes. I ordered a pound with some slaw and two buns. Complete with tax, the meal came to $9.08. I did not even have to ask, I got chopped pork.
About forty five minutes after leaving, I backed down our driveway on the east side of the White Oak River in Carteret County with what I hoped would be my first successful capture of real Eastern North Carolina barbecue.
We made our sandwiches, and it did not take Glenda, my wife, and I long to decide that I will be swinging by The Holly Ridge Smokehouse whenever I get a chance in my travels to Wilmington. The barbecue was very lean with a nice hint of vinegar without being overwhelming. The slaw was also crunchy and tasty. The meal was a winner, a great bargain, and there is even enough left for Glenda's lunch tomorrow.
I wonder how their fried chicken is? There's seems to be a shortage of that also along the Crystal Coast. The Smokehouse opens early every morning. If a full parking lot is an indication of good food, their breakfast must be very good.
