BBQ Tour 2011

As many of you know, I like to spend my many hours during the summer gorging on some delicious slow-cooked pulled pork barbecue. Love it so much I blogged about some of the tasty plates I was so lucky to clean on my own, personal barbecue tour of Charlotte. I will admit, I wasn't able to get to EVERY restaurant I wanted to get to. Believe it or not, gas prices tend to inflate during the summer months and that keeps me a little closer to home. With that said, I will gladly recommend Jim 'n Nick's and Mac's (my 2 favorites in Charlotte) to anyone in search of some tasty barbecue.

The summer of 2011 is quickly approaching which leads me to the obvious question - What's next? So I come to you, my fellow bloggers and blog-readers, what should I do this summer to let my taste buds dance for joy and help myself gain a few pounds? Here are some options I've thought of:

1. Take the hit in the wallet and venture outside of Charlotte for some great barbecue! I don't necessarily want to leave the state, but I would like to do a good comparison between Eastern and Western styles.
2. Every restaurant I went to for barbecue last summer also served ribs. Guess what -- I also LOVE me some ribs! The thought of eating ribs all summer literally made my stomach rumble and my mouth water.
3. You know the show, "The Best ____ I Ever Had" on Food Network? If you don't know what I'm talking about, the show basically has about 4-5 of the top chefs on the network sit and talk about the best something they've ever had (burger, meat, seafood, breakfast, etc). So I was thinking, I've got lots of friends who like to eat. What if all summer I take suggestions from a friend/reader on the best _______ they've ever had (in Charlotte), then go with them to that restaurant and taste for myself? Not gonna lie, this idea is growing on me.

Ok, those are 3 options that I've mulled over lately. Tying in with option #3, I would like to do at least SOME of this summer tour with another witness or 2. I had TONS of fun eating all of that barbecue last summer, but it was unfortunate that I couldn't share more of the experience with others. So please, join me this go around and share some good times and good food with me!

Happy Eating!