Feature Beer Friday: Parish's Envie Pale Ale

By Eric Ducote

Good morning again, and whatever time of day you're reading this, if you're in or around Louisiana, it's almost certainly HOT.  Extremely ridiculously hot.  And humid.  And being outside just in general sucks and it will for several more months.  However, we can't (at least not easily) live out lives entirely inside so when grills need to be lit, wings need to be smoked, sausage needs to be grilled, and lawns need to be mowed, we brave the elements and look forward to a tasty beverage to make us feel a little more whole afterward.  

This past weekend was one of those times as my friend Blake (who you might remember brewed the Southern Craft Three Generation Tripel) invited me over to fire up the BBQ and watch some World Cup action.  I needed a few brews for the day in addition to Blake's homebrew, so I grabbed some Jucifer and then noticed the canned Envie from Parish Brewing.  Not too long ago (I think January or February of 2018) Parish started contracting out the brewing and canning of their three flagship beers to Brew Hub out of Lakeland, Florida, a city just to the East of Tampa and the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers.  Lakeland is also home to Florida Southern College, whose campus contains a large concentration of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings.  Fascinating stuff, really.

Parish Brewing's Envie Pale Ale

Back to the beer though... the first Brew Hub batch of Envie wasn't very well received locally, but since then Andrew and the Parish team have worked with Brew Hub to ensure that subsequent batches meet the same quality as the bottled and kegged Envie that comes out of Broussard, LA.  After hearing from many people that the more recent canned batches are all coming out exceptional I had no hesitation buying a 4-pack of the 16 oz. cans for a hot day.

My first thought is that I love the 16 ounce can packaging. I feel like more breweries should offer it, as it's great for a sessionable beer like Envie (or Canebrake) if I'm drinking it solo, and it's more to go around for bigger beers that I'm sharing.  This can was dated 05/09/18, but even though it's getting to be 6 or 7 weeks old, I still expect tropical hazy goodness.  The appearance certainly delivers on the expectations, hazy orange-yellow color with a frothy white head.  The aroma is full of fruity hop flavors, a little more exotic than the Ghost In The Machine I tried last week, but still familiar flavors like passionfruit and guava.  There is a little more bitterness and less fruit note on the taste, but still those tropical flavors dominate, leaving a finish of hoppy mango.  

This doesn't pack quite the hop punch as the Ghost, but this is also far more suited for a backyard BBQ in the middle of the summer heat.  Or the cans are perfect for a trip to the pool, the beach, or a canoe trip.  Stay safe out there, stay hydrated, and save room for a few beers! 

Jay D's Bites: Oven Roasted Barbecue Pork Chops

by Chef Aimee Tortorich

Last month, our friends at Compart Duroc brought some samples of their high-quality pork products. One that stood out immediately was their premium Frenched Loin that in their words is “the pinnacle of fine pork and is the most flavorful cut of the Compart Duroc line.”

I definitely have to agree, and when you have a badass product like this, the best thing to do is to keep things simple. I did a quick sear in a cast iron skillet, transferred it to the oven rubbed in Jay D’s Spicy and Sweet Rub and finished with Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce. The finished product was a moist, flavorful and tender as all get out.

If you can’t find this particular pork chop, that’s okay! Head to your local butcher like Iverstine Farms Butcher in Baton Rouge and get the best looking bone-in pork chop you can find.

Oven Roasted Barbecue Pork Chops

serves 2

1 Tbs avocado oil
2 Pork Chops, bone-in
2 Tbs Jay D’s Spicy and Sweet Rub
½ cup Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a cast-iron skillet over medium high heat, preheat avocado oil. Sear pork chops until a golden brown crust forms. Season liberally with rub. Roast in the oven at 400°F until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Coat pork chop with Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce; turn oven to broil and broil pork chop about 3 minutes; until sauce is caramelized. Remove from cast iron pan and allow to rest for about 4 minutes.

Jay D's Bites: Barbecue Buddha Bowl

by Liz Courville

Are you trying to reduce your meat consumption? Looking for some meal ideas that aren’t salad or just super bland? Well you are in luck. Because this Barbecue Buddha Bowl is probably one of the most satisfying meals!

The combination of complex carbohydrates from the rice and sweet potato, the high protein content of tofu, plus the vitamins and minerals coming from the leafy greens and tahini dressing creates a well-balanced meal that isn’t a compromise on flavor! Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce adds that sweet and salty barbecue coat over the tofu, you won’t even miss the meat! Try this out on your next “Meatless Monday,” or make it like, every day… it’s just that good!

Barbecue Buddha Bowl

serves 2
(Vegan, Gluten-free)

Ingredients:
1 (14 oz.) pack of extra firm tofu
½ cup Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce
2 cups brown Supreme Rice, cooked
½ ripe avocado
1 cup kale or spinach
½ cup tahini
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 cup sweet potato, cubed
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp sea salt

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.

Press tofu for 15-20 minutes to remove excess liquid.

Place tofu into a medium sized bowl and add in ¾ cup Jay D’s Barbecue Sauce. set some aside for drizzling over baked tofu once finished. Mix together gently. (Marinate over night for best results.)

Place tofu on a flat pan lined with parchment paper and do the same for the sweet potato cubes.

Once oven is preheated, place tofu and sweet potatoes in the oven. (Tofu should take 20-25 minutes, sweet potato cubes should take 15 minutes.)

While the tofu and potatoes are baking, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, water and sea salt to create a dressing for the greens.

After tofu and potatoes are finished, scoop out 1 cup of cooked brown rice into 2 separate bowls. Slice the ½ of an avocado into ¼ into cubes or thin slices.

On top of rice, scoop out ½ of the baked BBQ tofu, ½ of the baked sweet potato, ½ cup of greens drizzled with ½ of the dressing, ¼ of an avocado - into each bowl for a completely satisfying meal!

Chuck P's Best Bites of 2017

by Chuck P

Another year has come and gone and now with 2018 here it’s time to reflect back on 2017. It was definitely a busy one here at Bite & Booze headquarters with road trips, pop-ups and private events filling up the calendar on a regular basis. Somehow, in between all of that, we found time to try some delicious dishes both locally and regionally that inspired and satisfied our ever expanding palates.

Here are just a few of my favorite dishes from 2017. I promise it won’t be completely filled with burgers.

The Fried Chicken Biscuit at Willa Jean

If you’ve never eaten at Willa Jean then I highly suggest you change that the next time you’re down in New Orleans. Listed under their “Biscuit Situation” section of the menu, this beast of a meal is a must have. A juicy chicken breast sitting between two warm, flaky biscuits in a pool of Tabasco honey. It’s big enough to share, but I’m not giving up a single delicious bite!

The Brisket at Franklin BBQ

This is absolutely without a doubt THE BEST brisket I’ve ever had. Franklin in Austin, Texas is well known, especially their brisket, and it totally lived up to the hype. 

Juicy, smokey and packed with deliciousness. I think I could have eaten it all by myself. Every time I look at that picture I start trying to figure out when I can get back there for more.

Deep Dish Cheese Pizza from Giordano’s

Unfortunately I didn’t get to travel to Chicago to try this but I was lucky enough to try it thanks to my lead singer Hana who ordered one for our guitar players birthday. Giordano’s ships their pizzas packed on dry ice with sauce packaged separately and cooking instructions as well. This true Chicago deep dish is fantastic. The red sauce was really good and it was packed with cheesy goodness. I’m hoping the next time I get to try one of these it’ll be at the restaurant, but I’ll be happy ordering one online until then.

The Slamburger at Brickyard South

I love the fact that one of my favorite hangout spots also has one of my favorite burgers. Danny Moore and Danny Wilson serve up this classic burger every Friday night at Brickyard South for the insanely low price of $5. A simple burger that’s perfectly seasoned, smashed flat and topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato and Danny Moore’s signature sauce. No gimmicks just a great tasting classic burger.

Jumbo Carrot Cake at BRQ

I’m sure you’re asking yourself why I’m choosing a dessert from a BBQ restaurant. The answer is simple. This is the best carrot cake I’ve ever had. Period. No contest. I mean look at that thing! You can feed four people off of that slice! After having this cake I had dreams about it for like, a week after. IT’S THAT GOOD!

Fried Chicken At Willie Mae’s Scotch House

There’s a reason that Willie Mae’s is famous. Their fried chicken is otherworldly; the flavor of the crust and the juiciness of the chicken is unreal. It’s been a staple in New Orleans since it opened in 1957. Presidents and celebrities have eaten here and Food Network declared it as having America’s Best Fried Chicken. There’s no other fried chicken that comes close to it.

The LIT Pizza Burger At Curbside Burgers

This was a special burger for their ‘Curbside Turns One’ anniversary celebration and although every burger that week was really good (and yes, I had all of them) this was the one that stood out for me. An awesome Italian sausage patty, swiss cheese and gremolata sandwiched between two pepperoni pizza buns. The flavor profile for this thing was off the charts. It was everything you would want out of a pizza burger and so much more. I’m hoping this pops back up on their menu as a special soon.


This was a tough list to put together. There were so many dishes I had this year that were really good but these definitely were the ones I still talk about. I’m hoping that 2018 will be just as delicious.

Burgers with Chuck: Curbside's Anniversary Collaboration

by Chuck P

One year ago today my dream of once again having a Curbside burger became reality when owner Nick Hufft finally opened the doors to the Curbside brick and mortar on Government Street. Sitting next door to Calandro’s Supermarket, Hufft took what was once the most popular food truck in Baton Rouge and created the perfect setting for burgers, frites and boozy milk shakes anyone can enjoy either inside or on their awesome patio area.

Last week, to celebrate their anniversary, Nick reached out to a few of his culinary friends and with their help created five collaboration burgers that were available for a limited time. I of course took on the task of visiting Curbside during those five days to try each of the specialty burgers. Let’s take a look at the gloriousness of it all:

Monday: The Tiger D with Tiger Deaux-nuts

This was the perfect way to start off my week! Crispy chicken topped with sharp cheddar, honey sage sausage gravy nestled between two glazed donut buns in a happy dance of salty and sweet harmony. Hopefully, this one will show up from time to time on their brunch menu.

Tuesday: The Gov’t Burger with Gov’t Taco

I was really looking forward to trying our collaboration burger and it did not disappoint. A juicy patty rubbed with Chef Aimee Tortorich’s coffee/chile rub, melty chihuahua cheese, poblano pico with roasted garlic mayo and Hola Nola tortilla strips.

Every bite was a flavor party in my mouth. The poblano pico was exceptionally good.

Wednesday: The Pho Real Burger with The Overpass Merchant

The cool and overcast weather on this day made for an ideal situation for this burger. A pork patty topped with hoisin, pickled onions, sriracha mayo, bean sprouts and herb salad. The clincher was the cup of pho that came on the side to dunk the burger in. I was almost tempted to come back for dinner and get another one!

Thursday: The Get LIT Burger with LIT Pizza

Hands down my favorite of all the burgers! This was everything and more: a delicious hot Italian sausage patty with swiss and gremolata between two pepperoni pizza buns. I could literally eat this burger every day.

Friday: The Barbie Burger with Barbosa’s BBQ

Curbside ended the week strong with this offering from pitmaster Alex Barbosa. The fact that it starts off with being described double Texas hot gut beef patties should have you ready to dive in. Finished off with American cheese, smoked onion jam and a roasted poblano aioli, this was a fantastic burger.

A huge congrats to Nick and everyone at Curbside Burgers! Here’s to many more years of great business and great burgers!

That's not a carrot cake, THIS is a carrot cake: BRQ

by Paige Johannessen

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the opening of BRQ Seafood and Barbeque. While BBQ is not a new concept to the South, having new local BBQ place is filling a gap in what is a pretty sparse culinary category in Baton Rouge. BRQ’s Chef Justin Ferguson is a Baton Rouge native who recently returned home after overseeing a number of Chicago restaurants and brought his knowledge and experience back to South Louisiana to show off his pit master skills.

The restaurant is large and inviting and has a contemporary, yet rustic feel. We were greeted by sunlight pouring into the large, street facing windows and delicate flowers adorning every table. Despite its size, it still feels quaint-- homey almost. Once we were seated, our server came to greet us with a basket of house made BBQ chips and pickles. Honestly, that could have been my meal. It took everything in my power to control myself from gorging all of them down because our waiter informed us that we had a feast heading our way. Even Jay, a known pickle hater, downed a handful of pickles and even seemed to like them. That’s big news people!

After I mentally prepared for the feast ahead, the dance of BBQ began. The opening act was an array of appetizers. One by one we were served crab beignets, boudin balls and a heaping mound of buffalo mozzarella in olive oil topped with caviar. I was not expecting to see a mozzarella appetizer at a BBQ restaurant, but I'm not complaining. It was by far my favorite appetizer and a nice change of pace from the typical fried fare.



Act two was on the lighter side, a pair of salads. Maybe “light” is the wrong word because it was more like a mountain range of salad. The Brussels sprouts and kale salad came topped with smoked bacon, parmesan, toasted almonds and a tahini dressing. It was a really nice compliment to the BBQ menu and would be delicious topped with pulled chicken or pork if you’re looking for something “lighter” on the menu.

The Moroccan Citrus Salad is a perfect summer salad. Mixed greens topped with grilled pineapple, carrot, pink grapefruit, orange segments, dates, almonds, goat cheese and a citrus mint vinaigrette is a meal in itself and almost too pretty to eat!

Next came the headliner. A procession of waiters presented us with the “Feed Me" platter. I think just about everyone in the restaurant had to come over and get a look at the butcher block of deliciousness that came to our table. The board was packed with St. Louis which have a straight, rectangular cut and tend to be more tender and Baby Back ribs which have a meaty cut with short, curved bones, smoked and pulled chicken, pulled pork and sliced brisket. The meats were served with four kinds of sauce: original mild, North Carolina vinegar, Louisiana spicy, and South Carolina mustard. Accompanying the board were sides of green beans, collard greens cooked down with bacon, mashed potatoes and goat cheese jalepeño grits.

The "feed me" platter at @brqrestaurant is a showstopper. This bad boy is piled high with smoked chicken, pulled pork, baby back ribs and St. Louis spare ribs 😋 thanks @justin.ferguson.chef for an awesome experience! • • • • #biteandbooze #225batonrouge #225 #batonrouge #bbq #BRQ #gobr #eatbr #br #eater #foodpics #foodporn

A post shared by Bite & Booze (@biteandbooze) on Jul 19, 2017 at 12:39pm PDT

We were all impressed by the display and all of the meat was smoked and cooked to perfection. The sliced brisket was to die for and the pulled pork was the perfect, juicy base for the various sauces. Phew! Yall, I am getting hungry again writing this.

And finally, the encore: A monstrous, delicious CARROT CAKE. It has to be put in all caps because it would be an injustice to the size and magnitude of this dessert for it to just simply be written out. See Jay’s head for scale:



BRQ put on quite the show for us and we had a wonderful experience dining at what we are sure is a new staple in the Baton Rouge area. Word to the wise: come hungry.

Jay D's Bites: Molasses Mustard Green Bean Salad

by Sophie Spring, intern

Just about every week in the summer, my dad takes a trip to the farmers market and comes home with a bounty of produce. Within the hour, like clockwork, there will be a green bean salad chilling in the fridge. It’s quick to make, easy to snack on, and uses two of my personal favorite farmers market vegetables: green beans and cherry tomatoes.

With my dad’s recipe in mind, I decided to put my own spin on the classic salad and add Jay D’s Molasses Mustard in the dressing. The tangy mustard complements the sweetness of the tomatoes, and the fresh greens beans stay tender and bright after being blanched.

This simple and refreshing recipe is the perfect side dish for your next summer BBQ!

Molasses Mustard Green Bean Salad

Yields 4-6 servings

1 lb. green beans, trimmed
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. Jay D’s Louisiana Molasses Mustard

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and let boil until a bright green color, about 3-5 minutes. Drain the beans and immediately rinse with cold water to stop them from cooking. 

Mix the oil, vinegar, Jay D’s Louisiana Molasses Mustard, and salt & pepper to taste.

Toss beans, tomatoes, and dressing and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serve cold and garnish with chives, if desired.

Father's Day Gift Guide: For Dads That Like To Eat and Drink

by Aaron Arnold, intern

Every year Father’s Day rolls around and I find myself asking the same question, “What should I get for my dad?” There are only so many money clips and nose hair trimmers a guy can have. So, this year we wracked our brain, talked to some of our favorite men, and created the ultimate “Louisiana Dad Gift Guide.” Whether you are looking for an experience with pops or a gift in any price range, we got you covered.

1) For the Wannabe Chef Dad: 

The Seasons of Louisiana cookbook is perfect for the fathers that love to experiment in the kitchen. Chef Peter Sclafani is a chef at Ruffino’s in Baton Rouge and has been perfecting his Louisiana Cuisine skills for years.


2) For the Whiskey Sipping Dad:

#OMFW...our Original Mississippi Floated Whisky is in the bottle! #canelanddistilling #geauxdowntownbr #batonrouge #whisky

A post shared by Cane Land Distilling Company (@canelanddistilling) on May 10, 2017 at 1:08pm PDT

Cane Land Distilling is new to the Baton Rouge scene and is located at 760 St Philip Street in the downtown area. You can swing by their location and pick up a bottle of their Original Mississippi Floated Whiskey for you and your dad to share, or go together to try one of their many craft cocktails. If your dad is more of a rum or vodka guy, we highly recommend their Red Stick Cinnamon Rum or Shindig Vodka.


3) For the Hairy Dad:

monday, we're comin' at'cha • #gaudetbros #getfaded

A post shared by gaudet bros. (@gaudetbros) on Nov 16, 2015 at 9:39am PST

Surprise your dad with a giftcard to Gaudet Bro’s located at 4556 Government St for the perfect trim and shave. If he’s more of a DIY styler, you can purchase some of their upkeep products for a grooming gift basket. Let that hipster flag fly, dad.


4) For the Fightin’ Tiger Dad:

Stop by Tiger People at 4250 Burbank Dr Suite 109/110 and snag your dad some new LSU swag. Tiger People offers a variety of LSU items from clothing to tailgate supplies. You’ll be sure to find something here for your LSU obsessed father.


5) For the BBQ Dad:

Thanks @lardhavemercy for spicing it up this weekend with Jay D's rub and some brisket! 'Tis the season to fire up the smokers. We've got a Memorial Day Bundle on jayducote.com/shop! #bbq #brisket

A post shared by Jay Ducote (@jayducote) on May 7, 2017 at 4:02pm PDT

Locally sourced and curated, the one and only Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce, Louisiana Molasses Mustard, and Spicy & Sweet Barbecue Rub are perfect for the Dad who spends his summers by the grill. Any of these are sure to make your dad cook and feel like a pit master.


6) For the Spice Loving Dad:

#iammidcity iammidcitybr

A post shared by Red Stick Spice Co. (@redstickspice) on Jan 15, 2017 at 2:51pm PST

Red Stick Spice Company located at 660 Jefferson Hwy captures the delicious, unique flavors of our region from local and sustainable food artisans. Check out their store to put together the perfect gift set of oils, spices, rubs or teas. Their knowledgeable staff will help you assemble the right products to match your dad’s style.


7) For the History Buff Dad:

Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long by Richard D. White Jr. is a great read for any dad that wants to learn more about Louisiana history and it’s collection of colorful political characters. Not to mention, it is the Baton Rouge’s 2017 book of the year for East Baton Rouge Public Library’s sponsored community-wide reading program “One Book One Community.” You can pick up a copy of “Kingfish” at the EBR Public Library and tweet out a picture using #readebr to see who else in our community is reading.


8) For the Beer Belly Dad:

It's a great day for a Voodoo brew this hump day💀 Thanks @biteandbooze for loving this beer as much as we do! Looking forward to our cookout June 30th #thatvoodoothatyoudo #voodoopaleale #tinroofbeer #geauxlocal

A post shared by Tin Roof Brewing Co. (@tinroofbeer) on Jun 7, 2017 at 9:50am PDT

For an opportunity to share some memories and a cold one with your dad, we recommend heading over to Tin Roof Brewery and Taproom. At the tap room you will be able to try one of their flagship, seasonal, or sometimes experimental, specialty beers. If you’re lucky, you may even catch some of the brewing in action.


9) For the Outdoorsy Dad:

If your dad spends a lot of time outside hunting, fishing, building (or breaking) head over to Goodwood Hardware & Outdoors. They carry an array of outdoor items from furniture to grills to any tool you can think of located at 7539 Jefferson Hwy.


10) For any Dad:

Just tell him that you love him and that you appreciate everything that he has done for you. If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with this.

Barbecue Worth Killen For

by Chuck P

Texas and BBQ are a classic duo like peanut butter and jelly or cereal and milk. No matter what city you're in, it won't be hard to find a tangy rack of ribs, smoked chicken or juicy brisket. Recently, the whole Bite & Booze team had the lucky opportunity to try some some legendary BBQ when we visited Killen’s BBQ in Pearland, Texas.

Established in 2013 by Ronnie Killen, a local pitmaster, Killen’s has made a name for itself as one the best BBQ spots in the Pearland/Houston area with lunch lines on the weekends stretching out as long as the lines you'd see at Austin’s famous Franklin Barbecue. On a recent trip to Franklin, I'd proclaimed their brisket to be the best ever (which it is), I found the rest of their choices to be just average; at Killen’s this is not the case.

All the meats at Killen's BBQ in Pearland, TX

After a few moments of trying to decide what to pick from the menu, Jay made the choice of just ordering everything: brisket, beef and pork ribs, and smoked turkey along with sides of mac n cheese, baked beans and what was definitely the best creamed corn I'd ever had.

The Pork Ribs

Every piece of juicy meat on our tray was absolutely delicious. The pork ribs may go down as my favorite, but the brisket and turkey were seriously vying for second place. I don't remember ever having a full plate of such amazing BBQ selections and not really having a bad choice in the bunch. And I'm telling you that creamed corn…it changes a person.

We did our best to take down as much as we could and then made our way inside for some of their famous bread pudding.

Everyone knows I love burgers and beer, but the simple pleasure of bread pudding can tempt me like no other.

This was not just any regular ole bread pudding; this one was made with croissants. The airiness of the croissants was a nice change to the normal denseness of a classic bread pudding.

If you find yourself in the charming town of Pearland, Texas stop and visit Killen’s BBQ for a true Texas treat, order extra creamed corn and you can thank me later.

Franklin Barbecue: The House That Brisket Built

by Chuck P

The city of Austin, Texas is known for many things. It’s eclectic music scene, the University of Texas, Austin City Limits, Matthew McConaughey, bats and SXSW name a few, but the one thing that Austin is definitely known for is BBQ.

You could probably stand on any corner in Austin, throw a rock and hit a BBQ shack or food truck. Out of the many local spots you could go to for some finger-lickin’ goodness, there’s one place that’s considered the Mecca for BBQ in all of Texas: Franklin Barbecue.

Our tray at Franklin Barbecue: Turkey, Sausage, Ribs and Brisket

Aaron Franklin has created a cult following for his delicious meats and it all started out of a trailer in 2009. Franklin is probably the only place in the country that consistently has over a 2 hour wait for their food. Outside, in the elements, year-round, people get in line as early as 5am. As the line begins to spread out from the front door down the block and into neighborhoods you can see people setting up folding chairs and grabbing beers out of their tag-along ice chests.

People come from literally all around the world just to get a taste. When (not if) they run out of food,that’s it! There’s no dinner service so if you were one of the unlucky ones who stood in line all morning and braved the elements only to miss out, then it’s a return trip tomorrow to get back in line once again.

When Jay told the Bite & Booze team about our stops in Texas during our Gov’t Taco research trip, I was extremely excited to see Austin on the itinerary. I knew that we were going to be trying out tacos at all of our stops, but I made a vow to stand in line for some of that famous Franklin brisket.

When we arrived in Austin, Jay told us that Wednesday was our only day with nothing on the calendar. In that moment, the BBQ stars aligned. Although Jay had been to Franklin twice before, he agreed to come hang with me in line. We set our alarms that night to be there no later than 8:30am as I drifted off to sleep dreaming of the BBQ deliciousness that was to come.

After hitting snooze on my alarm about 4 times I woke up and realized it was now 9am! Jay mentioned that if the line was too long, he knew of some other great places we could go, but my heart was slowly breaking just thinking about missing the opportunity while we were in town. 

I had never felt so betrayed by a snooze button. 

To my suprise, as we made the turn off of East 11th St. onto Branch St. we saw there only about 30 people in line. The BBQ Gods do exist.

We decided to grab some coffee and made our way around the corner to get in line. We mingled with other customers there who were from out of town and who were also shocked by the short line. 

Pro Tip: We went on a Wednesday if you want to try your luck next time you’re in Austin 

After about 20 minutes one of the employes started making their way through the line taking orders from everyone. The minimum order is 5 pounds so we went with smoked turkey, ribs, sausage and of course, their world famous brisket.

Around 11am the doors opened and the line began to filter inside. Close to noon, we finally made our way through the doors and into Franklin. The aroma of smoked meats inside overwhelmed me. Tables began filling up with eager, hungry guests. I eyed each tray of food that passed making myself hungrier by the minute.

As we made our way closer to the counter I noticed the man himself, Aaron Franklin, was hanging out by the register just chatting with everyone and taking pictures with enamored guests.

Aaron Franklin, Jay and myself posing after a behind the scenes tour of Franklin Barbecue

That’s cool. Here’s a guy that could be at home, on a golf course or anywhere just letting the place run itself and not even worrying about showing up and yet there he was! To see him chilling in a t-shirt, shorts and Chuck Taylor’s just mingling with his clientele was very humbling.

After grabbing our order and some drinks we hit up the patio and got our grub on. I’m not gonna lie to you folks -- the turkey, ribs and sausage were nothing to write home about. They were straight up just ok BBQ. I enjoyed them, but I would not order those again if I went back. However, I would happily pay $100 for a whole brisket.

Brisket at Franklin Barbecue in Austin, TX

THIS IS THE BEST BRISKET I’VE EVER HAD! I don’t even know where to start... The perfect smoke ring, the juiciness of the meat, the incredible flavor of it all was too much to comprehend. It was like the best chocolate or the best steak or the best whatever is your favorite thing in the world times 100. I couldn’t get enough of it and was felt stupid for not ordering more. I ate until I was miserable.

After our meal we were able to go into the back of the restaurant and talk with Aaron Franklin. This guy was so down to earth and eager to talk with us and answer any questions we had for him. I also discovered that he was also a fellow drummer (!) and that we had similar taste in music. 

Killer brisket and he was a drummer?! Our wedding date is set and we’re registered on Amazon.

We said our goodbyes and headed back to the hotel and I realized 2 things: I need more than a couple of days to fully experience Austin and when I do get back most of that time will be spent eating brisket at Franklin.

Meat, Smoke and Freedom: A Taste of the Red, White & Que Food Truck

by Chuck P

Back in 2010 it was hard not to find a food truck rolling around the streets of Baton Rouge. These weren’t the old run down, dirty and dingy trucks that once operated everywhere that were affectionately given the title of “roach coaches”. These were clean and well equipped vehicles with names like Taco De Paco, Fleur de Licious, Dolce Vida, Three Bones Catering and by far the most popular food truck, Curbside Burgers.

From lunch pop-ups downtown and Friday night round-ups at Tin Roof to just parking at the entrance of an LSU apartment complex, people were scouring social media trying to find out where their next pit stop would be. The food truck scene thrived...until it didn’t.

In a few short years...it was over.

Taco De Paco changed owners and never seemed to recover. The Dolce Vida pizza trailer was destroyed by a drunk driver and the owner left to open a brick and mortar in New Orleans. Nick Huft, owner of Curbside, also ventured to New Orleans to help open and run the kitchen at Barcadia. Without the powerful following that came with those trucks at events and a lack of organization, the once popping food truck scene had come to a dead stop.

Although there aren’t as many food trucks as long ago, there are a few that still fight the good fight in trying to bring their dishes to the masses. Gone are the food truck round-ups. Nowadays, these trucks can be mostly found at special events like Live After Five or The Baton Rouge Blues Festival or catering private parties. One of the newest trucks in particular I found parked right outside of Brickyard South located right across from the 13th Gate and that is the Red, White & Que truck operated by Kyle Rome.

Kyle’s passion for food started at the early age of 5 when he would stand next to his grandmother in the kitchen. She would let him help with adding ingredients and stirring the stews simmering in her giant cast iron pots. After high school he attended college but soon realized that his mind was on culinary creation and not collegiate studies.

Road House Mac: Pulled Pork, BBQ Sauce and Cracklin' Crumbles

He travelled the south for a while working in different kitchens whenever he could before eventually bringing the skills he learned back home. He created his own dry crawfish boil mix and bought his own trailer to boil crawfish for private parties and company events. Now, after taking a couple of years off from cooking, Kyle decided it was time to return to his true passion. He partnered with his friend Conley Pellerin and his girlfriend Brittany Moreau and the Red, White and Que food truck was born.

Kyle and his team are serving up some really tasty dishes like the Road House Mac with pulled pork, their house BBQ sauce and cracklin’ crumbles, a pork and mac n’ cheese quesadilla, and some really solid tacos such as the Chuck Norris featuring pork and pineapple chutney. The menu also includes nachos, burgers, gumbo and a salad to ensure there’s something here for everyone. 

The Chuck Norris Taco: Pulled Pork, Red Onion and Pineapple Chutney

Make sure to follow them on Facebook to find out which Baton Rouge event or late night dive bar they’ll be parked it. Morning, noon or night there’s never a wrong time to support the Red, White and Que.

Jay D's Bites: German-Style Potato Salad with Molasses Mustard

by Blair Loup

Put down the pickles and listen up! There's one food item that Jay Ducote avoids at all costs: the pickled cucumber. Having that said, we've become fans of the warm, German-style potato salad when it comes to summer-y sides.

What makes this recipe is Jay D's Molasses Mustard. I know you're thinking, "Well she has to say that, it's her job," but you're wrong. I make no commissions off of the sale of Jay D's products and I notoriously dislike mustard products. The sweet, tangy-ness of the mustard with that bitter molasses mustard turns everything delicious.

Grab a bottle of Molasses Mustard and some local ingredients at indieplate.com, your local farm-to-doorstep grocery delivery service.

Jay D's Molasses Mustard German-Style Potato Salad: 

Molasses Mustard Potato Salad

Serves 4

1 ½ lbs red potatoes, cut into cubes
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 Tbsp Jay D’s Louisiana Molasses Mustard
1 Tbsp red onions, diced
1 Tbsp green onions, diced
1 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped
½ Tbsp Steens Cane Syrup
Kosher Salt

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool and chop.

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Molasses Mustard, red onions, green onions, parsley, and Steen’s Cane Syrup. Mix together well, then add the potatoes and toss until combined. Refrigerate until chilled before serving.

Jay D's Bites: Smoked Sweet Corn with BBQ Rub Butter

by Blair Loup

You know the feeling when you see a beautiful ear of corn, and you've just got to have it? Local farm-to-table grocery delivery service Indie Plate has produce from farms around the Baton Rouge area that's a feast for the eyes and your belly.

I spotted this corn scrolling through their online produce section and our friend Chef Aimee Tortorich came up with this perfectly summertime dish:

Smoked Sweet Corn with Jay D's Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub Butter:

Serves 2

Smoked Sweet Corn:

2 Ears of Sweet Corn
1 Tbsp Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub compound butter (see recipe below)
2 Tbsp queso fresco or feta cheese

Place whole corn in the husks on a grill or smoker (or in the oven) at 275 F for about one hour, or until soft. Remove the husks and silk from the corn. Finish by rubbing the corn with the BBQ compound butter and sprinkling on the crumbly cheese.

Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub compound Butter:

1 cup softened unsalted butter
1 Tbsp Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub

In a small mixing bowl, mix softened butter and Jay D’s Spicy & Sweet BBQ Rub until incorporated. Remove butter from bowl and spoon onto parchment paper or plastic wrap. Roll into log and chill for 2 hours before serving.

Hit Us with Your Best Shot: Jay D's Louisiana Memorial Day Photo Contest

Calling all food photographers (amateur or otherwise)!

Skirt steak tacos shot in natural lighting, using ingredients from Indie Plate.

This Memorial Day Weekend, hit us with your best shot. From May 27 through 30, we'll be monitoring the hashtag #sauceandstripes for the best photos featuring Jay D's Louisiana inspired products.

Skirt steak roulade, a great Memorial Day option. Recipe here.

Here's how to enter to win two tickets to our July 8 James Beard preview dinner at LCI:

1) Head to your favorite local grocery store (or pantry) and grab Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce or Jay D's Louisiana Molasses Mustard. Or act now and get it from jayducote.com/shop. All online orders through Memorial Day also get a free Jay D's koozie!

2) Snap a photo of a recipe or dish utilizing Jay D's Louisiana inspired products

3) Tag @jayducote and #sauceandstripes so we can see your photos and select our winner

We'll be reposting some of our favorite Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts throughout Memorial Day weekend, and we'll choose the winner on Memorial Day.

Barbecue meatballs? Absolutely. 

Best of luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

In Pizza We Trust

by Daniel Harris

First, a haiku:

Pizza, so yummy

I could eat it all the time

I love you, pizza

Here at Bite and Booze, we believe pizza is less a food and more a way of life. #Pizzaluminati

#pizzaluminati

Some like it simple, maybe just cheese or pepperoni, and others like to throw on so many toppings you can barely see the cheese. Despite how you enjoy your pizza, you’ll love to feast your eyes on a few of our recent pizza pics.

Il Forno a Legna

Shrimp, smoked salmon, mushroom, mozzarella, parsley pizza at Il Forno in McAllen, Texas.

Jay D’s Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Jay D's Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Frank's Pizza Napoletana

Crawfish lagniappe pizza from Frank's in Shreveport

Lüke

Starting off brunch at @lukeneworleans with the flammkuchen, a southern German style caramelized onion, cheese, fig and bacon tart. Have you eaten at Lüke or other @chefjohnbesh restaurants?

A photo posted by Jay Ducote (@biteandbooze) on Oct 11, 2015 at 10:59am PDT

Dat'z Italian

Wood-fired pizza from Dat'z Italian at the Baton Rouge Blues Fest

Red Zeppelin

Loving on this leaning tower of pizza @redzeppelinpizza with @ruerusike! What are y'all getting into for lunch today? 🍕

A photo posted by Jay Ducote (@biteandbooze) on Sep 8, 2015 at 11:32am PDT

Jay D’s Barbecue Venison Pizza

Gimme pizza! P-I-Z-Z-A! Head to biteandbooze.com and check out @jayducote's Barbecue Venison Pizza recipe, using @hugjayd barbecue sauce and ingredients from @indieplate! #pizza #gimmepizza #yummy #indieplate #foodpics

A photo posted by Jay Ducote (@biteandbooze) on Mar 7, 2016 at 8:27am PST