Life with The Swell Guy!

Good Advice for Men - No. 26

Do not put your hands or fingers inside the mouth of any fish that comes out of saltwater.  Rule of thumb is to consider all saltwater fish have teeth sharp enough to cut a human.

10 ways to spot a good BBQ joint

As regular readers know, I have a passion for stopping by BBQ joints whenever I have an opportunity. I've had the chance to visit a few new ones recently while out and about on business. For new or casual BBQ lovers it can be hard to tell a average spot from a really great one. 

There are a few signs to look for that can help you.  Rule of thumb is at least three of the things on this list would make a location at least worth a closer look.  Every additional item increases the odds that you are finding a winner.  

 The 10 Ways To Spot A Good BBQ Joint

1. The sign clearly pays homage to the pig. It's not just another dish on the menu.

2. The BBQ is cooked in a separate building on the side or out back. Look for smoke coming out the chimneys or rolling out the screen windows. This is a very good sign. It's OK if you decide to go around back before or after eating and visit the crew. You can make new friends and you may pick up a few cooking tips. Sometimes you even get a free tasty taste of different meats.

3. Look for at least three pickup trucks in the parking lot.

4. The owner is usually around and often visits the tables to check on the quality of the product. It's a bonus sign if the owner has sauce or grease smears on his shirt. You should take time to meet this man. He often will tell you exactly how he makes his BBQ, but he will not tell you exactly how.

5. Gravel parking lot

6. There are two sauces, a mustard sauce and red sauce, which are made on-site. Offering commercial sauces does not cut it! Often these house-made sauces are for sale in take home bottles.  These bottles are the classic BBQ sauce shape which has a fat bottom and narrow neck. It is widely held that sauce flavor is maximized when pouring from this shape as the narrow neck intensifies the flavor as it is dispensed.

7. The food is the focal point and decor is not particularly emphasized. It's more than OK if the tables and chairs do not match.

8. The staff likes to wear company t-shirts which are also for sale. The artwork was done by someone's sister (who is not a professional artist) and is printed one color. T-shirts printed multiple colors could be a tell tale sign that this may be a bogus BBQ joint. 

9. Watch for outdoor seating options. If shade is made available, the BBQ could be quite serious.

10. Blues music playing or a jukebox

These points are all true. Take a look around. Happy hunting. Enjoy your lunch.

Looking out for #3

Recently blogging buddy Steve asked what you call all six Star Wars movies if three is a trilogy. I'd call anything after three a miracle based on this chart by Dan Meth.

Enjoy and have a nice day.

It's Redneck Tuesday!

We are taking a break from our usual Tuesday photos to introduce the best redneck food ever. Oh yes, I am serious. This stuff is great. I am pleased to introduce Beer Butt Chicken.

Here is the recipe.  Really, you must try it if you have never attempted cooking it. We have been making this at our house for years and it produces some of the best chicken you will ever lay on your lips. Try it once with this recipe and you too will be a cooking hero.

Uneducated friends and neighbors will laugh when they see you cook chickens this way until they taste the results. Then they will start quietly asking how you did it. By the next weekend they too will be reporting back their cooking results.

PS:  There are ways to improve on the recipe show in the included link. Feel free to contact me for personal tips. No, really.

Disclaimer:  BBQ is southern food, not redneck cuisine. Rednecks just happen to also love BBQ. I just wanted to make that clarification.

Vend-A-Moo

Let's say you are driving in the country in a place like...let's say Gaffney, SC and you get a sudden urge to chug a gallon of cold, fresh milk. What do you do? You Vend-A-Moo! I spotted this baby along the road on Thursday. Nice.

It's sweeping the country!

The Baconnaise phenomena continues to grow daily. Business friend Steve Rajki in Chicago reports receiving his back-ordered shipment this past week also. Here is his dad (and company founder), Bill Rajki, proudly displaying the booty. Very nice. I understand a new family recipe may be attempted this holiday weekend.

The Initial Baconnaise Report

Thursday evening we had our initial taste test of Baconnaise. I was a little concerned over how to try it after so many weeks of anticipation while waiting on our back-ordered delivery. We decided to go with a twist on the classic BLT. After all, what could be better than bacon squared?

Our combination was lightly toasted multi-grain bread, fresh sliced vine ripe tomatoes, mixed greens, bacon, and Baconnaise. I was careful to spread some of the Baconnaise all the way to the edge to make sure I got some bites without bacon while evaluating. Now all that was left to do was get busy tasting.

I must say, initial testing was inconclusive. I vacillated between "I like BBQ sauce better" and "Quick, give me a spoon or straw". Denine liked the bacon flavor and was happy that it was not too smokey. We both agreed that it would be cool if actual bits of bacon were part of the product. Yes, more tasting will be required. 

In the meantime, deliveries must be made to others who are waiting on delivery and a second order is on the way. Our maiden jar is safely nestled on the top shelf of the fridge at this very moment. Baconnaise fever has landed in our city.

The eagle, er...pig has landed

So I came home from work and what do I notice on our kitchen counter? I see our long awaited back order of Baconnaise! I am not positive, but I am reasonably sure that I heard angel music in the background. Now, committees will be formed....deliveries will be made....tastings will be had. Greenwood may never be the same. Reports will follow soon.

Good Advice for Men - No. 25

When traveling stop and take in the view. It is rewarding and will not be a waste of time. 

It's Redneck Tuesday!

Jasper and Billy Bob knew it was time for down home water sports with Memorial Day Weekend just around the corner.

Yeah Boy! Bonus video footage here!