This blog post will focus on one of my favorite aspects of living in North Carolina. I am referring to North Carolina barbecue. So, if you don’t like pork, don’t read any further.
I subscribe to the local newspaper, the News and Observer (of Raleigh)and read a story recently that Food Network’s Bobby Flay recorded an episode of his “Throwdown” challenges against a local pitmaster, Ed Mitchell of The Pit in Downtown Raleigh.
I think now is a good time to say that I detest Bobby Flay. Maybe because he’s a ginger though I suspect my disdain for this TV cooking celebrity goes deeper than just his hair color. He’s comes across as a cocky SOB from New York. I like southwestern US food too so it’s not his style of cuisine either. It’s simply him. However, I will watch the Throwdown episode featuring Ed Mitchell.
Fortunately, the article did not state who won but I have made a mental note that the show will be broadcast in May. This leads me to get my proverbial skates on to make a beeline to eat at The Pit before the show airs.
The restaurant is relatively new. I think it’s only about two years old and the main reason I have not eaten there yet is its location. It’s in downtown Raleigh so the only possible days I can get there are realistically the weekend. At least the place is open at the weekend.
I’ve read the blurb on The Pit’s website and I do see that the barbecue is cooked on both charcoal and wood. This means this is not true North Carolina barbecue because true NC barbecue is cooked on wood alone. I guess the location, downtown Raleigh, excludes the establishment from cooking solely on wood because of pollution issues. There was also a picture of the Pitmaster, Ed Mitchell at the “Pit” but it was a long outdoor grill (probably on wheels) so this confirms my suspicions that this is not true NC barbecue.
Irregardless of the outcome of the throwdown, I’m sure The Pit will experience more business after the show has been broadcast so I urge any interested diners to eat there before May!
