Ep. 179 Our Whole Hog Education

Ep. 179 Our Whole Hog Education

Author: Andrew and Bryan June 20, 2022 Duration: 26:29
As much as we love Texas barbecue, both the traditional and the modern styles, we’ve developed a strong affinity and appreciation for the different whole hog preparations in many of the southern states. A curiosity born from a few Houston area pit masters that had done some whole hog specials over the years, in 2018 we embarked on an ambitious tour through Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia to sample and learn more about wood coal fired whole pig cookery. We returned to Texas with a new perspective on the barbecue served in those different regions. Coincidentally it was not long after this trip that whole hog cooking began gaining traction within Texas and it is fortunately much more readily available these days in the lone star state. That said, nothing compares to experiencing the history of some of the long time establishments. We highly encourage anyone who has an appreciation for BBQ culture or who wants to perhaps cook whole hog to visit as many of these places as possible. We’re excited to share that we’ve planned yet another trip through the south to revisit many of these places as well as try some spots we haven’t previously been to. Labor day weekend 2022 we are headed out for round two of #hogtripping and this time we’re carving out some time to experience Kentucky’s regional BBQ and visit some of our favorite bourbon distilleries! Be sure to follow along on our social media and if you’re interested in being a sponsor for this upcoming trip’s episodes, reach out to us.  

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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry
Podcast Episodes
West Texas Road Trip 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:23
Life is short, get in the car and have a food adventure. That's what we did last month where we got to revisit some favorite spots and cross a big one off of our bucket list. Tune in to hear where we stopped along the wa…
New School Barbecue Cookbook - Evan LeRoy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:14
New School Barbecue, Recipes for Next Level Smoking and Grilling by Evan LeRoy and Paula Forbes is a beautiful new cookbook that gives you behind the curtain access to the recipes that made LeRoy and Lewis a two-time Mic…
A Great Texas BBQ Road Trip...without brisket [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:20
It had been years since we completed a half dozen stop BBQ run, but we decided to give it a try. The secret to our success on this trip? Skipping brisket! Sounds crazy, right? Tune in to hear where we went and what we at…
Casey Lee's BBQ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:26
As barbecue continues to evolve, talented people are bringing in new ideas to expand on the tradition of wood fire cooked meats. One of the most exciting new additions to the Texas scene is Casey Lee's BBQ in the small t…
Burnt Bean Co. 2025 - Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:07
Congratulations to Burnt Bean Co. on being selected as the number 1 BBQ joint in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine! We sat down with Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland to talk about their quest for this title and the sacr…
Top 50 Predictions 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:09
This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. BBQ Distro is the home to the best sauces, seasonings, and rubs in all of Texas. No need to wait in line to get a taste of Goldees or Snows. You can make it at home thanks to BBQ…
Tales From the Pits Top 15 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:55
This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 and predict who you think will be named the top ten BBQ joints on the upcoming BIG BARBECUE LIST being published by a well known lone star state f…
Pitmaster Advice Regarding the Top 50 list [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:06
This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 and predict who you think will be named the top ten BBQ joints on the upcoming BIG BARBECUE LIST being published by a well known lone star state f…
Travis Crawford - Mum Foods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:38
This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 and predict who you think will be named the top ten BBQ joints on the upcoming BIG BARBECUE LIST being published by a well known lone star state f…