By Justin Williamson
So here I am, hungry, driving around the county. Facing the daily question of where to grab a quick bite on my way home. I’ve eaten all this before. I don’t want that.
Wait, what’s that trailer parked up in the parking lot? I’ve seen that over in Chadbourn. It says “Smokin Me Crazy” and has my attention and BBQ does sound good. Let’s try it!
This was my personal dialogue the other day as I ran into the pangs of hunger around noon. I was eager to try something new and exciting. The operators were very friendly as I walked up and introduced myself. Feeling right at home with a good ol’ Southern greeting from Ms. Emily, I asked, “What’s good today?” She promptly recommended their brisket plate or a loaded fry basket. I asked if they did the brisket as a sandwich. Being a curious eater, I said “Wow. What else is going on here?”
She handed me a menu and showed me the full spectrum of their offerings: pulled pork, smoked bologna, loaded fries or loaded smoked potatoes. Their run of sides keeps with the theme: smoked baked beans, smoked mac and cheese, slaw and fresh cut fries are available. Very intrigued and getting more hungrier by the moment, I decided to go with a brisket sandwich. It was a great choice.
While my order was being prepped, I asked for a little history of their endeavor. She gladly gave me the rundown of Pit Master Ben leaving the corporate world to chase a dream to do what they are doing now, making good food and being in charge of their own lives!. Taking part in BBQ competitions up and down the east coast and landing in Florida, these Columbus County natives carved out a working menu and got to making their dream a reality. I was very impressed and happy for them as all of us would love to chase a dream and make it work.
As Emily was finishing up the story, I was handed my plate and boy, was I excited to get to my truck and dig in. Brisket was very moist and the buns were grilled – always a good sign! The flavors were definitely smokey, but also has a solid spice mix to deepen the experience.
Lightly sauced and chopped for the sandwich, I couldn’t have asked for better attention to detail. The presentation was simple, but adequate for the venue. Portion size seemed small until I began eating. It was more than I needed. Pricing was average/expected rate for this style of food. I got a sample of the Pulled Pork and found it moist and full flavored with a solid smoke hit for good measure. Next time I’m trying some brisket fries or a serving of smoked mac and cheese. I didn’t have room for that on this visit.
Rating: 4 of 5 In the Zone
Our Rating Scale for Dining Experiences:
1 – Missed the Beat: Needs more fine-tuning to get it right.
2 – Warming Up: Promising, but missing a few key elements to make it memorable.
3 – Finding the Groove: A solid experience with potential for growth.
4 – In the Zone: Near perfect, with only minor tweaks needed.
5 – Encore-Worthy: An experience you’ll rave about to everyone.
Ben and Emily know what they are doing and are doing it well. I really enjoyed my lunch and chat with them and recommend you give them a try. It’s not our typical North Carolina style, but there’s room at the BBQ table for lots of flavors and styles. Don’t be afraid to stop at a food truck and find some food fun.
Find Smoking Me Crazy on the socials or call ahead to place an order:
910.234.9606.
Justin Williamson is a husband, father, pastor, foodie, and musician, etc. Got an idea for a Brews and bites column? Send him an email at positiveflownc@gmail.com.
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