Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry

Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry

Author: Andrew and Bryan Language: English Episodes: 100
There’s a whole world of smoke and story behind every plate of Texas barbecue, and that’s exactly where Tales from the pits lives. Hosts Andrew and Bryan pull up a chair beside the people who shape this beloved tradition, moving far beyond just recipes and techniques. Each conversation digs into the personal journeys of pitmasters, restaurateurs, and suppliers-the real trendsetters and icons who define the industry. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of building a business around a smoker, the cultural roots of different regional styles, and the unexpected challenges of keeping a centuries-old craft alive and thriving today. This podcast is as much about community and place as it is about food, exploring how barbecue intersects with art, travel, and local identity across Texas. For anyone captivated by the aroma of post oak and the pursuit of the perfect bark, these stories offer a genuine connection to the passion and personality fueling every fire. Tune in for honest talks from the pits, the kitchens, and the minds that are shaping what Texas barbecue means now.
Episodes
Ep 155 - 20 Stop BBQ Tour and a Special Announcement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
We’ve been hitting the BBQ trail hard in 2021, but no road trip was bigger than the one we had planned for May. With proper planning and a little help from friends we were able to cram in 20 BBQ meals over the course of…
Ep. 154 - Burnt Bean Co. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:01
Ernest Servantes had made a name for himself in the competition barbecue circuit and on food television for years, earning the reputation of a smart, talented chef. Ernest and David Kirkland met and became fast friends d…
Ep. 153 - How do you compare BBQ Joints? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:41
How many factors, and how important are those factors when comparing BBQ joints? Andrew and Bryan discuss sides, full menu strength, desserts, and the many elements that go into an experience factor. Is house made sausag…
Ep. 152 - Brett's Barbecue Shop 2 Years In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:27
Two years and a pandemic after our first interview we revisit Jacqueline Herrera and Brett Jackson at Brett's Barbecue Shop, one of the nation's smallest barbecue joints. We discuss introducing new meats to their custome…
Ep. 151 - Brisket and Main [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:23
We recently were able to sit down with Joe and CJ from Zavala’s Barbecue and the Brisket and Main podcast for a fun and candid sit down about restaurant life and how they’ve navigated through the obstacles they face in t…
Ep.150 - Andrew Castelan, part of the Cattleack BBQ team [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:25
Andrew Castelan got bit by the BBQ bug while going to college, which started him down a path that is all too familiar to us fellow barbecue hounds. His interest in live fire cooking eventually lead to him building his ow…
Ep. 149 - Which is the best barbecue joint in Texas? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:16
We recently asked on Instagram which barbecue spot would you say is the best in Texas. It’s the age old debate amongst our fellow BBQ nerds and often spurs spirited back and forth. It’s the question Texas Monthly tries t…
Ep. 148 - Jim Buchanan and Dozier's BBQ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:01
The restaurant industry is never a smooth ride, and no one knows that better than Jim Buchanan. Jim’s tireless determination and no quit attitude has helped sustained him through a number of trials and tribulations in th…
Ep. 147 -1701 Barbecue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:27
Blue Broussard, a lifelong native of Southeast Texas, left the security of the family business to chase a dream and open up his own BBQ joint in Beaumont. This historic East Texas city has long been known for its distinc…
Ep. 146 - The Return of Smokin' Z's [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:21
When we first visited Smokin’ Z’s BBQ, Zaid and Mallory Al-Jazrawi were serving up quality barbecue in the Galveston area in 2018-2019 when they were faced with a problem many growing barbecue businesses face: the need f…