Remember the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” The Smokin’ Pig sits in a little strip mall connected to a gas station. You might hesitate when you first pull up, but trust me—step inside and check out the chalkboard menu filled with pork and chicken options.

The counter staff takes your order, and then you can grab a seat while they bring your food to the table. The BBQ here is pure and simple. Chicken and pork are served up bare-naked, and you get to dress up your plate to your liking. Sparky, the sauce mastermind, gives you plenty of options—vinegar-based, spicy, a sweet ketchup-based sauce, or a true Southern-style mustard sauce in both mild and spicy versions.

Being from the North, I’m hooked on spicy mustard sauce—it’s a welcome BBQ addition. Since discovering that BBQ in the South is a whole different game, I’ve become a regular. My go-to? The smoked brisket, packed with flavor and fall-apart tender. But let’s be honest—nothing beats smoked pork ribs, so I always order a side of ribs to go with my brisket.

The sides here are plentiful: green beans, corn on the cob, mac ‘n’ cheese, baked beans, turnip greens, potato salad, coleslaw, and Brunswick stew. Every platter comes with a slice of Texas toast.

I’m usually too full for dessert, but I always take something home. Their homemade brownies are unbeatable, and if you’re in the mood for something classic, the banana pudding is a solid second choice. Either way, the sweets always leave me smiling.

So next time you’re craving BBQ, don’t fire up the grill—just head to The Smokin’ Pig. They serve up hearty portions of great food, and best of all, they handle the cleanup!