The Blind Pirate does BBQ & Other Food Joints

The Blind Pirate does BBQ & Other Food Joints Come along as I review and introduce you to different BBQ joints and other eateries I find along my

Stopped by Pulliam’s today, a Winston-Salem staple that has been serving hot dogs since 1910 and has truly perfected the...
01/31/2026

Stopped by Pulliam’s today, a Winston-Salem staple that has been serving hot dogs since 1910 and has truly perfected the craft. The “perfect” hot dog starts with a bright red North Carolina–style dog on a toasted, buttered bun, topped with chili, slaw, onions, and mustard. It sounds simple, but once you take a bite, you realize you’re tasting the perfect blend of culinary history and art.

If you ever find yourself near Winston-Salem, do yourself a favor and stop by Pulliam’s. Pro tip: pair your hot dog with a glass bottle of Sun Drop or Cheerwine.

Working in St. Louis this week, I knew I had to find some ribs. I was pointed to a place called Pappy’s Smokehouse.Tuesd...
05/15/2025

Working in St. Louis this week, I knew I had to find some ribs. I was pointed to a place called Pappy’s Smokehouse.

Tuesday, it was closed.
Wednesday, this thing called work made me miss the ribs but I did get to enjoy some delicious smoked turkey.

Most people would’ve given up by then. But “can’t” never could.

Today, I showed up 30 minutes before they opened. The staff, who remembered me from the day before, made sure I got one of the first racks of ribs.

And let me tell you those ribs are perfection! So good, I slapped my knee hard enough to leave a bruise.

The ribs were meaty and tender, with a dry rub that created a flavorful bark. I also tried the smoked turkey and chicken—both were fantastic. And if you’re looking for sides, don’t skip the fried corn on the cob or the baked beans.

Big thanks to my friend Matthew for pointing me toward Pappy’s. The guy is a food joint encyclopedia.

If you’re visiting the Gateway City, do yourself a favor and check out Pappy’s.

My wife and I visited the North Pole for her birthday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Unfortunately, ...
02/20/2025

My wife and I visited the North Pole for her birthday, hoping to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Unfortunately, we couldn't bring a cake on the plane. Luckily, someone recommended The Frosted Whisk.

As someone who doesn't typically enjoy cake, I was impressed by the cream cheese strawberry cake we ordered. The icing was smooth, and the strawberry cake was moist and perfectly sweet. Most importantly, the birthday girl loved it!

For those in the Fairbanks/North Pole area seeking a cake, The Frosted Whisk is an excellent option. I'd even go so far as to say it'll be one of the best cakes you've ever had!

North Pole, Alaska, isn't exactly the breakfast capital of the world, but the Country Cafe is doing its part to change t...
02/19/2025

North Pole, Alaska, isn't exactly the breakfast capital of the world, but the Country Cafe is doing its part to change that. Don't expect any frills or fuss, but do expect a friendly staff and a whole lot of locals getting their morning started.

I had the country skillet that wasn’t served in a skillet, but that makes no difference. The skillet consisted of hashbrowns topped with cheese tomatoes, bell pepper, chopped ham, and then 3 eggs.

My wife's bacon egg and cheese French toast sandwich was the real MVP, though. Fresh ingredients were key to making such a delicious  sandwich. It consisted of thick-cut bacon, fried egg, and cheddar cheese sandwiched between two fluffy pieces of French toast.


Homemade spaghetti was my dad's specialty, and every time I catch a whiff of it cooking, I'm transported back to a time ...
02/09/2025

Homemade spaghetti was my dad's specialty, and every time I catch a whiff of it cooking, I'm transported back to a time when he was still alive. I’d argue it’s some of the best spaghetti you’ll find anywhere. After all, I learned from the best.

I know what you're thinking spaghetti as therapy? Trust me, it works! So, if you're missing someone, try doing something that makes you feel connected to them.


The wife and I enjoyed dinner at "The Rail 3373", a new restaurant on Alabama HWY, across from the GMC Food Mart. The at...
02/05/2025

The wife and I enjoyed dinner at "The Rail 3373", a new restaurant on Alabama HWY, across from the GMC Food Mart. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. Our food was prepared quickly and arrived fresh.

The hot buffalo chicken dip was a great start, with plenty of chicken and a good balance of spicy and creamy.

For my meal I ordered The BBQ Brisket Burger which was excellent. It had a thick and juicy patty with toppings that included barbecue sauce, brisket, a juicy tomato, and crisp lettuce. As a side, I went with the fresh-cut french fries.

My wife's wings and street corn were also great, and she raved over the ranch. I would put her street corn up against any that I’ve had on my many visits to Texas.

If you're in the Rome, Georgia area, "The Rail 3373" is definitely worth a visit. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

01/31/2025

I stopped by my favorite hot dog joint, Pulliam's BBQ, for one of their world-famous dogs and was surprised to find Fox Sports filming a segment on the iconic eatery. It's great to see Pulliam's receiving well-deserved national attention. Catch the entire segment during Fox's coverage of The Clash at Bowman Grey Stadium this Sunday at 7:30pm.

Given that Marcello's Coal Fired Pizza was featured in Dave Portnoy's One Bite Pizza review, I thought it was worth tryi...
01/15/2025

Given that Marcello's Coal Fired Pizza was featured in Dave Portnoy's One Bite Pizza review, I thought it was worth trying. Having never had coal-fired pizza, I was unsure what to expect. From the tangy tomato sauce to the flavor of the lightly charred crust, it was pizza perfection. How I’ve lived a life never trying this style of pizza is a complete mystery to me. 

Dave's One Bite Pizza score for Marcello's was an 8.2 despite him scarfing down an entire slice. I'd argue that his score should have been a solid 9. If you find yourself in the Trenton, New Jersey area, take the short ride over to Bordertown and enjoy a slice of pizza perfection at Marcello's.

I’ve admittedly taken my wife to a few BBQ joints that would be considered whole in the walls.And I know she’s been hesi...
11/25/2024

I’ve admittedly taken my wife to a few BBQ joints that would be considered whole in the walls.
And I know she’s been hesitant to walk in a few of those joints. As she’ll tell I’ve only steered her wrong once.

This morning she took me to a random convenience store called Evans. After entering the front door we walked past the counter to a back room where to my surprise breakfast was being served. She then says “Real men eat breakfast at Evan’s” followed by the Tim Toolman Taylor Grunt. Judging by the number of firemen and construction workers in the place I can’t argue against her statement. My bacon egg and cheese biscuit was good. However, the grits were soupy and lumpy. I had a taste of her pork tenderloin I wasn’t bad at all.

As we walked out the store she asked me how I liked it… “It ain’t Bojangles but That'll Do Donkey, That'll Do.

If you’d like to give it try:
Evans Deli
5680 Alabama Hwy, Rome, GA

Slipped into Terry Blacks tonight for dinner. Now the only table I could find was right next to the garbage cans. And th...
10/10/2024

Slipped into Terry Blacks tonight for dinner. Now the only table I could find was right next to the garbage cans. And that table was banked at about 10°. But this evening you couldn’t have beaten the smile off my face. That’s because I having dinner at Terry Black's Barbecue in Austin TX enjoying Jalapeño sausage burnt ends smoked turkey and a pork rib.

Tonight was the first time that I have tried the pork rib. I’d always felt like the Rendezvous in Memphis and Leatha's in Hattiesburg MS were pretty much equal when I came to the best ribs. However this evening, Terry Blacks proved that there is no meat that they can’t smoke to perfection. If you find yourself in Austin Texas slip on into Terry Black’s. Then feel free to reach out and tell me about the incredible meal you had there.

Address

North Pole, AK
99705

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Blind Pirate does BBQ & Other Food Joints posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Blind Pirate does BBQ & Other Food Joints:

Shortcuts

Share