So, How About A BBQ Meet-Up?

Has there ever been any kind of a meet-up in North Carolina? We have plenty of recommendations here on the board for Carolina BBQ, and I think it would be fun to meet at a central location and try both the Lexington and eastern styles for a comparison. I realize that this is also a selfish idea, since I would dearly LOVE to meet some of you, but I can't attend most of the meetups because I'm in a wheelchair. But if it was here in my home state, I could go. We could eat in Lexington one day, then over to Skyland or somewhere for eastern style, or we could go down to Sweatman's in SC, which wouldn't be that far.

Who does the planning on these things, and what would I have to do to get one planned here?

Sky: it take an energenic person to put one of these things together. It the past we have done it several times with the Help of Oneiron, Bushie and The Mayor. It takes a lot of communication to hold it together. If you do not do it, it comes apart. Al has been the best.

You have to generate interest, points of interest and make it easy on all folks. Another thing is to pace the group. You can get the group really full on the first stop and after that, it goes down hill.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

At our last BBQ meet and eat in TX this past Feb., we talked about NC or AL for the next one on President's weekend in 2008. If you are interested in another time, just pick a location and date and talk it up for interested folks. Unlike some BBQ haters (see another thread) you should get some takers. My guiding thought about BBQ is: BBQ is like sex, there is no bad BBQ, some is just better than others.

I organized the first one (I believe) in SoCal. Not a big deal. Just put the word out, pick a Q place or places and people will show up. I found that the Q was less important than meeting up with other Roadfooders. We made a bunch of new friends, ate and laughed together.

Come on people in NC! Do it!

Thank so much for the feedback.

I was thinking Wink's in Salisbury for breakfast, then Lexington #1 for a later meal on day one, then somewhere really good for breakfast on day 2, and an eastern style place for the final meal. I will do some research on distances and such, and come back with a proposal.

I'm in the Clemson area of SC and would love to come up for a BBQ meet-up sometime. I've never been able to come to any of the Roadfood meet-and-greet-and-eats. Keep me posted.

I'm a reporter so weekdays including Friday are usually busy busy busy. Saturdays and Sundays are always good.

North Carolina is pretty close to Knoxville, TN and I would be delighted to participate.

Although some has indicated that all you have to do is mention the get together, we have found to have good participation, it takes someone to ramrod the event to keep dates, places and times working. If you are only going to one destination, that makes it easier but not as much fun. If going to one destination, it really puts the burden on the orginizer because if it ain't good, you catch all kind of H---.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I'd be interested. pb

I probably couldn't attend both days but I'd stick my head in for at least a meal, or I'd try.

I need some kind of warning, as I usually have to work on weekends..
Gimme a heads up and I will see if I can get there.
I know Charlotte is about 4 hours away from me.

Not to be throwing cold water, but some logistics to think about in starting a planning process is that most good NC bbq places are closed on Sunday. For example, Wink's, Lex #1, Stamey's and Allen & Son are.

It would be some driving, but is Salisbury, Lexington, Greensboro and Chapel Hill doable in one day?

Gordon, you are right about the Q places being closed on Sunday, most of them are. I was thinking of Wink's and Lexington on a Saturday, then the place for eastern style on Sunday. I am going to call around to some of the places for eastern that have been mentioned here on RF, find out if they're open on Sunday, and how much driving would be involved. Haven't started doing this yet, because I been sick, was in the hospital last week, but am going to get the info together as soon as I can, and will post it. I would love, love, love it if we can get something like this together.

Early to Mid August sounds good to me and Mrs. Oneiron.

Late August or early Sept. for me please.

MikeS.

Hello All,
SkylarOne, no promises, but I'd love to come if money and time
works out. Sept.-November are the best dates for me.
I admire you even thinking of tackling this. If I can help,
let me know.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

First week of August is bad for me, as is the last week in September. Other than that, I'm free.

SkylarOne
this link could hep in chosing the places to be visited.

http://ncbbqsociety.com/trail.html

Go to the BBQ trail map, it has links to the places in the various areas. Also remember the hurricane season, not just the coast get hits here in NC so keep all plans variable. That being said I would like to make at least a prt of the tour may not be able to do both days.

I may be able to make NC, depending when.

Who's in charge of this event? Somebody make a decision - I'm getting hungry.

Ever notice how much good NC bbq there is along I-85?

http://ncbbqsociety.com/trail.html

You get real far off I-85 and North Carolina is really pretty sparsely populated. One of the reasons I-85 is such a traffic sink.

If y'all got a little farther south, maybe down around Savannah or thereabouts, I could participate.

quote:

Originally posted by John A

If y'all got a little farther south, maybe down around Savannah or thereabouts, I could participate.

John, I'm going thru Savannah on the way to Amelia Island today. Give me a good roadfood place in Savannah not too far from I-95. Doesn't have to be BBQ.

Oneiron: Don's for Lexington style BBQ in Pooler, Ga. is just a mile off I-95. Get their large sandwich and a big cup of ice tea...

Cheers, John

quote:

Originally posted by seafarer john

Oneiron: Don's for Lexington style BBQ in Pooler, Ga. is just a mile off I-95. Get their large sandwich and a big cup of ice tea...

Cheers, John

Thanks for the info. We'll see what Mrs. Oneiron "requests."

Sounds yummy, I'd like to join in the fun! You might want to put this on the misc-food related board, that's where most of the meet-ups seem to get posted.

Alice

quote:

Originally posted by Oneiron339

quote:

Originally posted by seafarer john

Oneiron: Don's for Lexington style BBQ in Pooler, Ga. is just a mile off I-95. Get their large sandwich and a big cup of ice tea...

Cheers, John

Thanks for the info. We'll see what Mrs. Oneiron "requests."

oneiron339,

Sorry about not getting back to this post until just now but thankfully seafarer john hit the nail on the head.

I'm in Daytona Beach but could slide up that way for a one day BBQ get together in the neighborhood.

Well, I am sorry to report that I have hit a brick wall. I have called every eastern style BBQ place on the trail link posted above, and the only one that is open on Sundays is Wilbur's, in Goldsboro. It is nearly 200 miles from where we will be, in the Salisbury-Lexington area.

My best solution would be to spend Saturday at Wink's for breakfast, and Lexington #1 for the later meal. Then go somewhere else for breakfast on Sunday,(Wink's is closed on Sunday also, but there are other places where we could eat), and then do another restaurant in this area for Sunday supper. There are several very good seafood places within 15 miles of here that are open on Sunday. The whole intent is to meet up and socialize over good food. Here is a link to some reviews of one of the seafood places I'm referring to, I have been there many times and its very good.

http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=13178072

If anybody wants to go this route let me know, and I will make arrangements for the group. In case anyone needs my main email addy it is skylar0ne@gmail.com (the 0 is a zero).

What's the date?

quote:

Originally posted by Oneiron339

What's the date?

Makes no difference to me, it would depend on when the most people could get together.