After my judging stint for Brunched I headed over to Benchtop Brewing to meet with Bob to shoot some BBQ. I needed some updated shots for a little story I’m doing locally and Bob graciously accommodated me. It included the Big A$$ Rib (I know I posted one before, but this one was even bigger!) that everyone loved so much I had to share.
I ain’t scared.
Post Oak Smokehouse Beef Brisket and Burnt Ends
It's been a while since I've stepped foot in Texas - 25 years ago - so it was weird heading back there for a little business trip. My goal while I was there was to eat as much beef brisket as I could and drink as much Texas beer in equal measure. The photo above was from one of the places I tried called Post Oak Smokehouse, it was so good! Bumped into one of the owners while I was there too.
Thought I did eat a lot of brisket and even brought back some to Virginia with me I think I could have done better though on the consumption side of things.
My platter at Uncle Julio's.
I did eat some other stuff too. I hit In-and-Out burger for the first time which was fun because I got to meet up with my nephew who was passing through town, ate at a chain called Uncle Julio's that turned out to be pretty good! I had to get Whataburger just because it has been ages since I had it, again, not bad. I tried as much of the local beer as I could, which wasn't a ton due to logistical reasons and the fact that everything in Texas is at least one hour apart from each other. I did make it to one brewery in the area called Grapevine though, visiting was a must.
Whenever I go anywhere I try to bring some beer from home to trade. I had actually brought some Veil beer with me too, I thought that would be nice since the brewery has generated a lot of buzz around the world. I had arrived at Grapevine Craft Brewery with my coworker Phil I had a lil stash of brews with me. The brewery's tasting room was pretty cool, it was two levels and had high-tops and regular tables. It happened to be trivia night so there was a good crowd and lots of energy. I talked to the tasting room manager a bit and he asked if we wanted to tour the brewery. We walked through the brewery, maybe did a little trading, and got flight at the end. Check this place out if you're ever in the area.
All in all, I had good time checking out the area. Again the last time I was in Texas was when I was driving to Virginia Beach from El Paso. I was stationed in Ft. Bliss back then I was happy to be leaving! I'd love to check out that place again...
Red River Smokehouse
I recently told you all about Redwood Smoke Shack, a BBQ food truck that has placed itself soundly in the top tier of BBQ in the area. I love BBQ and smoked meat. Pulled pork, beef brisket, BBQ chicken - whatever! If it was on a grill I'm probably going to like it.
Last month I got a message from a guy named Jon Basco asking if I wouldn't mind checking out his authentic Texas BBQ operation called Red River Smokehouse. Of course I said, "YES!"
(I didn't really yell like that, it was in message, but that's how it sounded in my head.)
A little bit about Red River Smokehouse, the truck is named after the Red River that separates Texas and Oklahoma. Jon is a Texan transplanted in the area through his service in the Marines. After getting out of the service he ended up staying here and with him his take on BBQ. I think we lucked out.
Red River Smokehouse was going to be at Commonwealth Brewing Co. early the next week after we talked and I planned on meeting him there. Monday rolled around and it was the big day, I mean I get to eat BBQ and drink beer at the beginning of the week, that's about as good as it gets. I went straight to the truck to meet Jon in person and check out his setup. He uses a custom trailer that affords him a lot room (more than some of the rigs I've seen out there) and it's equipped with a smoker on the back. Jon let me jump up and check out the truck but I didn't get too far in because he was busy and I didn't want to get in they way. I told him I was going to grab a beer and he said he'd put together a little something for me try. Excellent.
Jon Basco of Red River Smokehouse
I love Commonwealth Brewing Co., they have an IPA called Wapatoolie that is hazy, citrusy, and amazing to drink. I know some people might look for something a little darker to pair with BBQ but I like to say, "I can do what I want!"
That's my Commonwealth Brewing Co. Wapatoolie
I grabbed my beer and was scoping out a place to sit with some good lighting and notice a someone getting their photo taken in the brewery and then immediately recognized her as one of the local lifestyle/fashion bloggers Tilley Hansen of Tilley's Threads. We follow each other online but have never met in person, I'm all about meeting the people I see online. I figure if you can creep on them online you can definitely (at least) say hello in person! She was with her friend and photographer Meridith A. Bright who shoots for Elizabeth Ashley - Virginia.
Tilley stole my beer, luckily she she left a little for me
After chatting for a bit I went to check on the food, luckily it was finished by the time I got to the truck. I know I already posted a photo up top there, but here is another because we eat with our eyes first right?
I got hooked up with some smoked turkey breast, BBQ pork ribs, brisket (dry and wet), and some sides. I went straight for the beef brisket first. Jon explained to me earlier that this brisket was only seasoned with salt and pepper then, of course, the smoke. It was delicious! Seriously, after having the brisket I was thinking I really needed to sit down and do a comparison from the notable BBQ trucks out there. I could eat this stuff all night.
The ribs were excellent, didn't fall apart, the meat firm on the bone. Lightly sauced and tasty. The turkey breast was a nice surprise too, some people out there don't eat beef or pork so bird is always a good to have on the menu too. I liked the smokey flavor.
I liked the mac and cheese a lot and cole slaw is always good. Oh yeah, look:
Usually when I'm out, I'm the one taking all the pictures. It was fun to watch someone else out there doing their thing. I peeked outside and saw someone else I knew...
...Boss Lady Caity! She runs the Your Pie Pizza joints in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Try their pizza if you haven't yet, the Great White is my favorite. Let me get back to the BBQ.
If you haven't tried Red River Smokehouse you need to. Put it on the list of great BBQ trucks we in the area you need hit and definitely get the brisket!
I have another truck I'm scheduled to visit, I've had their food a few times before but I'm going to check out the operation a little more in depth! Till next time!
I caught the new BBQ truck on the scene the other weekend - Redwood Smoke Shack. I've bumped into the owner, Bob Roberts, around town at events that usually that involve beer. I got an invite from him to check out his truck at Benchtop Brewing Company in Norfolk, VA.
Bob Roberts (owner) was visited by HomeGrown's chef Nic Hagen
The truck is actually a trailer with the smoker attached to it; looks pretty cool! The menu has lots to offer: ribs, brisket, pulled pork, sides (including the huge Supreme Potato), and much more! I got a sampler plate, a couple of beers and dug in.
They do elotes too...
Bonus: I saw a lot of friends and my fellow photographer buddy Amanda from Stellar Exposures. Check out the food!
A little kick-off for the Independence Day weekend - Avery's Maharaja!
Our friends Cappy and Lauren wanted to meet-up at The Pub for dinner and a drink. Obviously I do not need a whole lot of convincing to grab a drink at Lynnhaven Pub and Shelby was up for it. Done deal.
Friday nights host "Charlotte Hour" out back where Charlotte, longtime Pub regular, pours some of her favorites till 8:00 PM. Decent line-up too, I always enjoy a pour of the latest "Enjoy By" when I can get it.
Lauren, Shelby and Cappy
Charlotte Hour
Charlotte took a photo of our group
After the tasting we headed inside for bite. Lauren said she wanted to try the ribs The Pub has been smoking this year, we crossed our fingers hoping there were some left. They used to only make them on a Thursday and only about 8-10 racks, I don't know if this is true still but they usually sell out.
She was in luck, there were some left, they had some left so she ordered up a rack and Cappy had the brisket tacos. Shelby and I had beef brisket sandwiches, it's hard not to eat that stuff whenever we go (so good, you gotta try it.)
Lauren, "You guys can have some." Um, not unless I want to lose a finger!
Beef Brisket
Brisket Tacos
We had a round of drinks after we finished eating then gave Cappy and Lauren a ride home, it started to rain and they rode their bikes to meet us earlier. Luckily my car (Honda Element) is like a Transformer and I folded the seats up and we crammed their two bikes, Cappy and myself in the back.
We did all this and got home in time to watch and movie. Very nice night.
Mike Rowland
I was recently asked to meet with someone to talk over some exciting opportunities coming along in the near future. We were going over places to grab a drink and Jarod (the guy I was meeting) suggested Lynnhaven Pub in Virginia Beach. Great idea!
Rob McGraw. Owner, Lynnhaven Pub
Lynnhaven Pub has been around since the 60s or 70s and is tucked away off the old West Great Neck Rd. It would be easy to pass by the place and not notice it tacked on the end of a non-descript building, but inside you’ll find one of the better selections of beer in the city. Owner, Rob McGraw, has established the pub as a go-to destination for local beer lovers. He keeps a eclectic rotation of beer on tap and has much more in bottles in the case next to the bar. Old timers who haven’t been to the bar in the past several years might not recognize the selection and they’re going to miss their $1 domestic drafts. Rob has created an outdoor area where patrons can hang-out year round. There is also a bar, grill, and a smoker.
Speaking of food, in addition to great beer, they offer creative and delicious food. When we decided to go to Lynnhaven Pub, I messaged Rob that we’d be stopping by for a drink. He said he was looking forward to it and had a couple things he wanted me to try. Cool, I figured he had some new beers he wanted to share. I showed up at the pub and saw Jarod sitting in the back working on his laptop. I walked the length of the wooden bar, passing occupied stools; I saw that a few Victory brews were on tap and Founder’s Breakfast Stout.
After I settled in Rob came out and said he made some beer can chicken using Stillwater Classique beer he wanted me to try. He also had oak barreled smoked brisket coming out. He actually brings the barrels down from Blue Mountain Barrel House brewery nestled between Charlottesville and Lynchburg, Virginia. These are barrels that were previously used to age whiskey and bourbon, then used by Blue Mountain Brewery. The smoke produced by these barrels is recognizable and adds a rich flavor to the food cooked in it.
Rob McGraw and Mike
Mike Rowland, who I watched earlier, cooking in a small oven behind the bar, master-minded the following dishes he brought out: Beer Can Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Burnt Ends Tacos with Bacon, Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwiches with bacon and huge Chicken Salad Sandwiches. I wasn’t expecting this! I had enough to share with Jarod and we dug in.
Beer Can Chicken wrapped in Belgian Endive
I tried the Lettuce Wraps first, sweet and simple, the smoked chicken was tucked into Belgian endive and I shoved the whole thing in my mouth. You could taste that the beer had permeated through the chicken and there was a nice smoke flavor on top of that. It all blended well and I knocked out another one quickly. Mike said he wanted to showcase the chicken in the wraps so there wasn’t a sauce or anything on top of the chicken. Perfect.
Burnt Ends Tacos
Next I tried the Burnt Ends Tacos, if you all didn’t know it, I love BBQ. I really love Burnt Ends. Rob was telling me he would usually eat these when they made brisket in the pub but Mike told him they should sell them instead and Rob reluctantly agreed to part with them. I know this would be a hard decision for me too. Good on you Rob! The tacos were delicious and had a thick strip of bacon in there for good measure. The burnt ends were flaky with great smoke flavor. I swear I could even make out the alcohol from the oak barrels he uses. The arugula was a nice added touch. You can’t beat it.
Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich
I moved onto the Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich, moist and the brisket fell apart in my mouth. The brisket was thickly stacked between two pieces of toasted, dressed bread and the platter had a healthy serving of cracked pepper potato chips (which were hard to not to eat.) I ate about half of my sandwich and moved on to the Chicken Salad.
Beer Can Chicken Salad Sandwich
The Chicken Salad was piled high with some lettuce resting on top. The chicken salad was great, with grapes, almonds, paprika and bright red onion in the mix. The chicken was fresh and shredded perfectly. It was hard not to eat the whole thing but I was so full and had a beer I needed to finish up. I boxed up the rest and brought it home for lunch the next day.
I’m going to Lynnhaven Pub again to write more about the beer and how Rob runs the place, but I really wanted to let everyone know about the food. Like I said earlier I thought he was going to have me try some brews but I got a few plates of great food instead. Get by Lynnhaven Pub and grab a couple of good beers and make sure you get something to eat. You’ll not be disappointed!
Eric Wickham and Jarod Goenner
Click HERE to see the rest of the photos at Lynnhaven Pub.
Creamy Smoked Brisket Jalepeno Bacon Stuffed Poppers @ El Taco Loco, Virginia Beach, VA.
