Customer Reviews

BBQ Joints: Stories and Secret Recipes from the Barbeque Belt

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From Texas to North Carolina, the author, David Gelin, captures the true spirit of Southern Barbeque. This book highlights the heart and soul of the good folks that make Barbeque almost a religion in the South. It's not so much a book about food, but it is also about the craft itself and the wonderful people behind those mouth-watering dishes. The stories behind the food are rich in detail and the gorgeous photographs illuminate the people and places that make these little joints a piece of heaven. Reading this book left me hungry for some old fashioned "cue". This book is a must have for any Barbeque enthusiast, just don't read it if you are hungry!

Mr. Gelin has done well in pointing out the authentic places to find REAL barbeque. In this day of expanding, and sometimes disappointing, franchise eateries, this book is a valuable resource for authentic bbq locations. When in the states from Florida to Missouri - from Texas to North Carolina, and have an appetite for the real stuff, from old fashion corn bread to famous ribs or chicken, be sure to get this guide book. It can save you miles of hunting for the good stuff. Not only has this author compiled a list of real bbq joints through the southeast, with photographs, he has included their recipes, and biographical tales. The book is fun to read, as well as an educational resource. It is not an expense; it is an investment in good eating. Don't miss it.

I actually liked this book but there was a feeling of deja vu while reading it. There should be; a book like this has been written before, and it was bigger and better. For the life of me I can not remember the name of it, but I bought it on Amazon. It is now out of print.

In any case this book does a nice job of telling us about the BBQ joints the author visited. I always enjoy stories like these. They inspire me to the point of "almost" opening my own BBQ place.

My problem with this book is what caused me to take away one star, and that is the title is rather misleading. It mentions "Secret Recipes" on the cover. Well, yes and no. Most of the included recipes are SIMILAR to the ones that these BBQ joints use, but not EXACTLY the recipe they use. And many of the recipes provided are pretty standard fare. Of all the recipes included, I am only tempted to make 2 or 3 of them. I guess what I am saying is DO NOT buy this book for the recipes; buy it for the stories behind the BBQ joints.

Had the recipes been better - or complete - I would have given this book 4 stars instead of 3. Oh, and there is ONE floor plan for building a smoker, and while I didn't exactly study the plans, on first glance, they look like they may be incomplete, or at least in need of further explanation.

It was a fun book to read. I read the whole thing in 2 days, but it is not the best book of its kind.

I'm a family member of Hite's BBQ located in West Columbia, SC. Hite's is one of the BBQ places featured in the book. My mother and father have been in business since 1957 and I appreciate Mr. Gelin for putting us in his book. As for the "secret recipes", I think it is hard for BBQ places to give their recipes out for the whole world to see. I hope you'll stop by to see us when you're in SC. We are a take out only establishment and we are only open on Friday and Saturday of each week. We've been on the news channels, SCETV, and on the front page of the State paper on July 4th 2007. We have a write up about us in the McKissick Museum and now we're in a book. I hope you enjoy reading the book.

The real thing is hard to find. This is it. The people, the places and the food. They serve each other. I could spend the rest of my life looking for "The Piney Pig" somewhere along Route 301 in Georgia. It belongs in the company mentioned here. Dickie Davis

We love the book and are going to look up some of the places on our next vacation.

I am collecting BBQ books for the southeastern USA. This is a nice addition to this collection.

The true and dedicated barbecue connoisseur well knows and appreciates the complexities and subtleties involved in this very special culinary genre. Ordinary folk just know that barbeque tastes good! In either case, "BBQ Joints: Stories And Secret Recipes From The Barbeque Belt" by David Gelin will prove to be a source of fascination, inspiration, and great eating. Alphabetically organized by southern states ranging from Alabama to Texas, "BBQ Joints" is a compendium of restaurants and eateries that are presented with anecdotal stories, addresses, phone numbers, monochromatic photographs, and terrific recipes that showcase the variety and diversity of the barbeque -- including some legendary side dishes and desserts! From Woody's Barbecued Rice (Woody's Bar-B-Que, Arkansas); Simmie Nichols' B-B-Q King Pig Ear Sandwich (B-B-Q King, Georgia); and Smokehouse Bob's Patricia Newton's Sweet Potato Pie (Smokehouse Bob's, Oklahoma); to Katy Garner's Hog Heaven Fruit Cobbler (Hog Heaven, Tennessee); Denice Janow's Austin's BBQ Macaroni Salad (Austin's BBQ & Catering, Texas); and Elvis's Pound Cake (Starlight Grill, Alabama), "BBQ Joints" ably serves as a tour guide planner for the true and traveling barbeque enthusiast. Of special note is the 'Build Your Own Pit' chapter. "BBQ Joints" is a unique, informative, and highly recommended addition to the cookbook collection of any and all barbecue fans.

This is a nice book containing the reviews of several BBQ joints around the country. The recipes are very basic and really lack innovation. The "secret recipes" lack in any real secret.

Length:: 3:25 Mins

I had the pleasure of accompanying David and his dog Buddy back to a few of the places in his book once it was published. In this clip, David revisits Wynnton Pitt BBQ + Restaurant in Columbus, GA. [...]

Buy this book for some wonderful stories and photos of BBQ Joints across the South that are all one-of-a-kind.