Backyard BBQ Pit is located on the NC-55 route just south of Durham in North Carolina. It is well known in the area for great BBQ and I had even heard of the place before I landed in the state having seen them on an episode of Man vs Food
Good old Mike from @runnersthoughts picked me up in his Truck to bring me out here to try the place out. I was really happy that he did as so far he had pointed the place out from the road as we drove by on other myfoodhunting explorations and I was waiting for the day that we would actually pull in off the highway to try the food.
I read that they smoke all their meats in a three-chamber smokehouse using hickory and oak wood. This sounded like real BBQ and was one of the reasons why I was so excited to be able to come here to try them out. I could only imagine in my mind what it would be like and knew it would not be like the US pretend BBQ we often get back in the UK. I was drooling and dreaming at the same time as I walked trance like into the small shack like Smoke House
Menu Boards
It was so hard to make a choice from the Menu board, it was even harder when you get to the counter and you can see the BBQ Pork, the slabs of ribs, dark blackened BBQ chicken, and all the wonderful sides of Mac n Cheese, Green Beans, Collard Greens and ‘well the list goes on’
I kind of wanted a bit of everything, but I knew that wasn’t an option. You could get a Rib plate, a brisket plate, a pork plate, a fish plate, a chicken plate. Perhaps you get the idea?
I really wanted to eat everything that they had on the counter but I managed a little BBQ decorum and restricted my scoffing to the “Working Man’s Special” which today for me was a pork BBQ sandwich (hold the coleslaw), a side of Mac n Cheese, and a side of Brunswick Stew.
Indulge me for a moment and let me tell you all about it
The Working Man’s Special
Hold the front page! this was pretty goddam amazing. I already confess that I am no Carolina BBQ expert, but I tell you this much! I know good food, and if this is what they have to offer me to eat here and around these parts, well I am one happy soul.
This was for me a triple winner, everything worked. I loved the BBQ pork, the tang of the vinegar and the bite of the spice that ran though every juicy mouthful. It was like heaven in a bun. The pork was plentiful and had such an excellent smoke flavour and great taste of the hog.
The Mac n Cheese was great too, loads of gooey cheese mixed into the firm elbow macaroni pasta, and lots of that great baked cheese crust too. We all love the crispy slightly burnt toppings and you get plenty here. Mike had two sides of Mac N Cheese as he said it was so good he just had too!
I particularly enjoyed this rendition of the Brunswick stew. It was more soupy and I felt more rustic and honest here. Big chunks of potato, slices of green bean, lots of gravy and some great smoky meat taste. I imagined them pouring out the drippings from the BBQ trays into the pot to make the stock. Lovely.
What is more can you believe the price? $4.99 for a BBQ sandwich and two side? Incredible, just like the food!
Pecan Pie
I am not a man with a sweet tooth but even I could not resist the lure of the Pecan Pie slices on the counter. This was somewhat amazing, sticky, gooey and ‘oh so sweet’ all on top of a lovely pastry crust base.
It is like a black salty treacle tart with candied pecan nuts all in your face taking you to another level in the world of the pudding.
I felt like a food slut as I ate every piece, I still feel a little dirty now as I admit how I succumbed to my fate so easily.
This was for me a total highlight on myfoodhunt trip to North Carolina.
It was everything that I hoped for and more.
It just goes to show that you don’t have to have a big fancy restaurant to make good food.
You just need a little love and a lot of soul in your heart, and the kindness to share that with the people who walk in to visit you!
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I will have to come back to try everything else and I am sure I know plenty of people who will want to join me!
To find this place
Stick this in your GPS / Sat Na
5122 NC-55 Durham, NC 27713
myfoodhunt.com 