Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry

Click for tickets! In the summer of 2010 Jeff Jones, Matthew Wallis, Matthew Johnson and Brandon Gonzales set out to make a documentary titled For the Love of Meat about Texas barbecue. Little did they know what an incredible time capsule it would become to film some of the top pitmasters of that time such as Joe Capello, Roy Perez, John Fullilove, Tootsie Tomanetz and others. Additionally the crew was there shortly after Wayne Mueller had taken the reigns at Louie Mueller and only a few months into Aaron Franklin’s career operating the then Franklin Barbecue trailer. Tune into to this episode to hear more details about the film. For the Love of Meat, originally released in 2015, has not been publicly screened in nine years. But that is changing. On March 1st the filmmakers will be screening the film at the Bullock Museum and tickets are on sale now. This is a must see documentary if you are passionate about Texas barbecue and its history. Follow the ticket link in the show notes for your opportunity to see this incredible footage plus more! There are ticket options for a meet and greet prior to the screening with food provided by Micklethwait Barbecue. There will be a Q&A panel moderated by Daniel Vaughn after the screening featuring the filmmakers, Wayne Mueller, Tom Micklethwait and Kelli Nevarez discussing the film and evolution of barbecue in the years since. Don’t miss out on this special night at the Bullock Museum. Click for tickets!

The Nevarez family recently celebrated five years of their business, LaVaca BBQ. This family owned restaurants helmed by parents Lupe and Christine and daughter Kelli produces a large menu of high quality options in a region of Texas that was lacking in modern options. With standout items such as their smoked tamales and an impressive roster of desserts, LaVaca BBQ should be on your road trip list.Instagram: mylavacabbq web: www.lavacabbq.com Port Lavaca 532 N Virginia St, Port Lavaca, Texas, 77979 Thursday 11am - 2pm Friday 11am - 2pm Saturday 11am - 6:30pm Victoria 2001 N Navarro St, Victoria, 77901, Victoria, Texas Thursday 11am - 7pm Friday 11am - 7pm Saturday 11am - 7pm Sunday 10am - 3pm

One of the many great aspects of the newly minted Michelin starred restaurant LeRoy and Lewis is Evan and Sawyer’s cultivation of a strong team. That is no more apparent than with staff members Cole Parkman and Kasey Durham.Cole and Kasey might work in one of the most innovative BBQ places, but their passion for classic Texas barbecue runs deep. We caught up with them on the eve of the old school BBQ pop up they put together at LeRoy and Lewis last summer to talk all things barbecue old and new.Instagram:leroyandlewiscole_parkman23kasey.durham

We’ve been asked what excites us to keep exploring barbecue after all these years. It’s not a simple question to answer because it’s evolved during our over decade long obsessions with barbecue. In this episode we go a bit down the rabbit hole of trying to explain what originally excited us, what interests us today, and how that has changed throughout our journey.

Amir Jalali started his barbecue career learning the business and operational aspects at the great Feges BBQ, struck up a friendship which turned into a job at the phenomenal Goldee’s Bar-B-Q, and eventually opened his own place back in his hometown of Port Neches, Texas.With a menu of expertly smoked proteins and scratch made sides and desserts, Redbird BBQ is off to a roaring start as one of the best new barbecue spots to open in the state in recent years.Instagram: redbirdbbq1104 Port Neches AvePort Neches, TXOpen Fri-Sun 11a-3p

Season 5 of Tales from the Pits is finally underway! More episodes from the best and brightest in the barbecue world are headed your way, and tune in to this episode for details on our new project, Cookfire Tales.A video series focused on the passionate people from all avenues of the food world who play a role in the food that ends up on your plate, with Cookfire Tales we’re going to give you wide ranging behind the scenes views of different types of cuisine and the role fire plays in so many of them. The dedicated farmers, forgers, harvesters, chefs, and artisans carrying on and evolving traditions inspires us and we know will fascinate you too.Join us on the journey:Instagram: cookfiretalesTwitter/X: cookfiretalesYouTube Channel coming soon!

This episode was brought to you by Zavala’s Barbecue Distribution. Rubs and sauces from some of the best BBQ joints in Texas and beyond now just a click away from being at your doorstep! Sign yourself up for their monthly BBQ subscription box service or better yet sign up your BBQ obsessed loved one as a great gift for the holidays! Check out http://bbqdistro.com/tales for all of your BBQ needs and be sure to follow zavalasbarbecuedistribution on Instagram. There is a lot we’re thankful for right now in barbecue. From the craft pioneers who began expanding the boundaries of what barbecue could be to the new class who keeps pushing the cuisine forward while being mindful of its roots, it’s an amazing time in barbecue filled with immense talent.