As luck would have it, we visited Charlotte during their annual Taste of Charlotte Festival. The whole affair occupies 8 city blocks and provides food, fun, beer and entertainment for everyone. We thought this would be a great way to try a number of BBQ purveyors in one place.
Our first stop was the Braza Brazilian Steakhouse tent where we sampled bacon wrapped scallops and steak with black beans and rice. The beans and rice were really salty, but the meat was over cooked and the bacon was OK. Honestly, you could fill in the blank "bacon wrapped _____" with anything and it would be good.
After being distracted by the bacon, we went in search of BBQ. The next stop was Outlaw BBQ, which won the "Best in Show" award last year. We ordered the rib sampler and got two ribs wrapped in tin foil. The ribs had some good smoky flavor and the sauce caramelized well, but the meat was really dry. The sauce was nothing special and not worth remembering; in fact we've already forgotten all about it.
After the ribs, we went in search of pulled pork and found some at Sticky Fingers BBQ a few tents down. We were walked through the various Sticky Finger homemade BBQ and sauces by our gracious hosts, Sarah and Keeley.
The pulled pork was really dry (we will give them a pass since it was sitting all day) and didn't have the pronounced smokey flavor we have come to love. Most of the sauces were sweet, and we really enjoyed the Carolina Sauce, which is a traditional South Carolina mustard vinegar sauce. Overall, the friendly service and service providers were far better than the BBQ. Also, a big Thank you to Sarah and Keeley who gave us some bottles of the Carolina Classic to take home.
Since it was crazy hot today, our final stop was the beer tent to cool down with some New Belgium Fat Tire
Memorable Quotes:
Even wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men like BBQ
Where's Shingai?
After being distracted by the bacon, we went in search of BBQ. The next stop was Outlaw BBQ, which won the "Best in Show" award last year. We ordered the rib sampler and got two ribs wrapped in tin foil. The ribs had some good smoky flavor and the sauce caramelized well, but the meat was really dry. The sauce was nothing special and not worth remembering; in fact we've already forgotten all about it.
After the ribs, we went in search of pulled pork and found some at Sticky Fingers BBQ a few tents down. We were walked through the various Sticky Finger homemade BBQ and sauces by our gracious hosts, Sarah and Keeley.
Sarah and Keeley
The pulled pork was really dry (we will give them a pass since it was sitting all day) and didn't have the pronounced smokey flavor we have come to love. Most of the sauces were sweet, and we really enjoyed the Carolina Sauce, which is a traditional South Carolina mustard vinegar sauce. Overall, the friendly service and service providers were far better than the BBQ. Also, a big Thank you to Sarah and Keeley who gave us some bottles of the Carolina Classic to take home.
Since it was crazy hot today, our final stop was the beer tent to cool down with some New Belgium Fat Tire
Memorable Quotes:
Anthony (after taking a picture of Sarah and Keeley): Here I'll let you review it for your approval.
Keeley: Wow! You must really know women.
Sarah: Oh no - I'm so shiny.
Anthony: You're glowing!
Ratings:
Ambiance -8 - how can you beat a street festival dedicated to eating and drinking
Overall -4 - It is always tough to serve great food from a tent especially in 90+ degree heat, but lots of cold beer helps.
Braza Steakhouse - 4 - scallop was bad, meat was tough, rice too salty, bacon = GOOD
Outlaw BBQ - 4.5 - good smokey ribs, dry, sauce was forgettable
Sticky Fingers - 4.5 - pork was dry, a few sauces were good
Ambiance -8 - how can you beat a street festival dedicated to eating and drinking
Overall -4 - It is always tough to serve great food from a tent especially in 90+ degree heat, but lots of cold beer helps.
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