In this episode we do something we’ve never done: interview each other. We chose ten random questions to ask one another with neither of us having any indication as to what the questions would be before recording. This is a fun one that goes off on some tangents and includes a challenge we hope Daniel Vaughn takes us up on!

We’ve been asked what excites us to keep exploring barbecue after all these years. It’s not a simple question to answer because it’s evolved during our over decade long obsessions with barbecue. In this episode we go a bit down the rabbit hole of trying to explain what originally excited us, what interests us today, and how that has changed throughout our journey.  

There may be no more majestic setting to cook barbecue than along the Columbia River Gorge in Hood River, Oregon. It is here that Brendon, Drew and Sam put down roots for their business, Grasslands Barbecue. Serving up superb smoked meats and seasonal scratch made sides, this trio is producing some of the best Texas influenced barbecue you’re likely to find not just outside of the Lone Star State, but the quality they’re providing would stand up against some of the best in Texas as well.Check...

Amir Jalali started his barbecue career learning the business and operational aspects at the great Feges BBQ, struck up a friendship which turned into a job at the phenomenal Goldee’s Bar-B-Q, and eventually opened his own place back in his hometown of Port Neches, Texas.With a menu of expertly smoked proteins and scratch made sides and desserts, Redbird BBQ is off to a roaring start as one of the best new barbecue spots to open in the state in recent years.Instagram: redbirdbbq1104 Port...

Zain Shafi turned a curiosity into a passion and eventually a business in Sabar BBQ. Zain blends together the Pakistani flavors he grew up with alongside the familiar Texas barbecue staples. With seasonal, flavorful sides and well cooked proteins, Sabar is a great addition to the stellar Fort Worth barbecue scene.Instagram: sabarbbqOpen Saturdays 11a-3p (or sold out) 194 Bryan Avenue, Fort Worth  

Season 5 of Tales from the Pits is finally underway! More episodes from the best and brightest in the barbecue world are headed your way, and tune in to this episode for details on our new project, Cookfire Tales.A video series focused on the passionate people from all avenues of the food world who play a role in the food that ends up on your plate, with Cookfire Tales we’re going to give you wide ranging behind the scenes views of different types of cuisine and the role fire plays in so many...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign yourself up for their monthly BBQ subscription box service or better yet sign up your BBQ obsessed loved one as a great gift for the holidays!   Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.    2023 was another great year...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign yourself up for their monthly BBQ subscription box service or better yet sign up your BBQ obsessed loved one as a great gift for the holidays! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   There is a lot we’re thankful...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new monthly BBQ subscription box service! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   Far West Texas is one of the most magical regions of the state to visit for a number of reasons, but until recently...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new BBQ subscription box service! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram. They’re bringing the best of Texas barbecue to the world!     The west Texas barbecue landscape has experienced immense growth...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new monthly BBQ subscription box service! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   As we approach our 200th episode we take a look back at the memorable guests, episodes and experiences from the first...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new BBQ subscription box service! The first box featuring Blood Bros BBQ ships in July! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   Marvin Ross is a fifth generation farmer owning and operating Peculiar Pig...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new BBQ subscription box service! The first box featuring Blood Bros BBQ ships in July! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   Cooper Abercrombie took his initial curiosity with barbecue, turned it...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign up for their new BBQ subscription box service launching this summer! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram.   We were elated to once again sit down at the Charleston Wine and Food Festival with esteemed author and...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep!  Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram! —————————————————————-   Nick and Elliott Reese got bit by the BBQ bug while going to school in Austin. Their journey took them to far west Texas but eventually brought them back to...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep!  Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram!   Shuai and Corrie Wang were ready for a change after years working in New York City restaurants. They’d settled on their next move being to Charleston to open a new restaurant with...

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep!  Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram!   LeRoy and Lewis BBQ has become one of the most influential and revered barbecue businesses in the industry. What Evan LeRoy and Sawyer Lewis have built since launching their food...

Charleston continues to be one of our favorite food cities to visit, and the Charleston Wine + Food Festival is one of the great gateways to exploring the scene. We were fortunate to be invited to this event again in 2023 and had an absolutely wonderful time both at the festival events and eating around the city.Tune in to hear about plenty of barbecue and other culinary delights we were able to partake in this year. An enormous thanks to the Charleston Wine + Food team for giving us such a...

Tom Micklethwait has been at the forefront of the modern barbecue movement that has taken place in the last decade. From high quality meats to well made sides and condiments, Micklethwait Craft Meats has been serving all of the staples we’ve come to associate with craft barbecue since their beginning.   As they celebrated ten years in business we sat down with Tom to discuss his career, the current state of barbecue, and his latest venture, Saddle Up, located next door to the barbecue...

For our last episode of season three we took a look back at another incredible year in barbecue and highlight some of our favorite bites and memories from a busy 2022. Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors, listeners and guests for making this year so amazing!   We're proud to partner with Pitts and Spitts for this episode. Please visit www.pittsandspitts.com/tales and use promo code tales for a special spice rub inclusion with your purchase of $500 or more from this trusted Houston pit...

Christopher Prieto, aka The Barbecue Nerd, has had one of the more unique journeys through the barbecue world that you’re likely to find. From his storied competition cooking career to his work with veterans and opening his first restaurant, Christopher’s story of faith, determination and service is an inspiring one. If you’re anywhere near the Raleigh, North Carolina area, Prime BBQ is a must stop for Christopher’s menu of inspired barbecue meats and sides. Restaurant Instagram:...

During our recent trip to Kentucky we decided to record a special bonus episode about our bourbon experience including a blind tasting we each did. The moral of the story for bourbon with us is this: drink what you like, not what the internet tells you to like! Tune in to hear the details and please give us some feedback on the episode. We are always going to be a barbecue podcast, but it’s fun to explore other topics from time to time.  

We are fans of the crafts of butchery and were pleased to spend time with some of the crew at Red Hog Artisan Meat in Louisville, Kentucky on a recent road trip. Butchery, charcuterie, and dry aging are on full display at Red Hog. Their restaurant and butcher shop provides Louisville an outlet for the highest quality meats both for home cooking purposes or for top notch restaurant meal.  Aaron Sortman, James Andrews, and Dustin Olsen are three of the key members of this ambitious operation...

Brothers Jonathan and Justin Fox grew up in Texas, moved to Atlanta, and over time have built an amazing barbecue footprint in that area. From humble beginnings of backyard barbecue parties to eventually opening their first restaurant, the Fox brothers have continued to grow their business. Now fifteen years into being restaurant owners, they opened a massive second location serving their signature menu of barbecue focused favorites with creative touches. As new opportunities have come about...