NOLA 'Cue *Updated 04/19*

McClure's Barbecue photo by Denny Culbert

Since the creation of The Barbecue Bus it seems that every third thought through my brain involves pit cooked meat. My partner in 'cue Rien Fertel and I recently spent a day sampling barbecue available in New Orleans. We gave up after visiting just three locations and one delivery, but that was mostly because the food was too good to just sample.


Pictured above is our spread at McClure's Barbecue, a lunch time and Tuesday night pop-up inside Dante's Kitchen. They'll be leaving this location at the end of April, so I'd head there for dinner today if you can. You can follow them on Facebook or on their website to find out where they'll be setting up shop next. We dipped in all seven sauces they had to offer, including everything from traditional South Carolina mustard-based to the Vietnamese inspired "New Orleans East." The meat: chicken, brisket, ribs, and pork all cooked with plenty of wood smoke.

**Update: NOLA Smoke House will be a pop up restaurant at the Avenue Pub starting April 22, 2012**
We started the day with a home delivery by NOLA Smokehouse, a barbecue-on-wheels operation.
Our lunch (the next two pictures below) included sliced brisket, braised greens, potato salad, a cornbread muffin, and a brownie. Check out their website or twitter or facebook for an ever changing menu of meats, sides and sauces. They take orders in nearly every form of communication know to man, but you have to get it in 24 hours ahead of time.

NOLA Smokehouse lunch. Photo by Denny Culbert

NOLA Smokehouse potato salad. Photo by Denny Culbert

Another stop on our mini-barbecue tour was Hillbilly BBQ, definitely the most established of the operations we visited. The baked beans filled with smoked meat should not be missed if you decide to make the drive to this Harahan location for lunch.

Hillybilly BBQ plate. Photo by Denny Culbert

On a side note Rien and I are looking for an answer to the question, "Does Louisiana have its own barbecue history and culture?" Let us know what you think or tell us about your favorite old school barbecue by tweeting to us @thebarbecuebus or find us on Facebook.