Foodie Fridays: B.T.'s Smokehouse

Photo by Jack Starkey of The Cannery Blog

Fridays are used by many bloggers to write about subjects that they consider to be personally interesting or satisfying. With that being said, I figure it is about time that I start to interject a little more of me into this blog. So from now on you will find a weekly post at the end of each week called "Foodie Fridays" which will be an ongoing series of posts about one of my true loves... Food.

Now some of you may be wondering what exactly is a "Foodie"? Well wikipedia describes foodies as the following:

"Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, foodies differ from gourmets in that gourmets are epicures of refined taste who may or may not be professionals in the food industry, whereas foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. Gourmets simply want to eat the best food, whereas foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food. For this reason, foodies are sometimes viewed as obsessively interested in all things culinary. There is also a general feeling in the culinary industry that the term gourmet is outdated."

I would say this is a good description, at least as far as how I would describe myself as a Foodie.

So the first topic for AIOI's Foodie Fridays will be BT's Smokehouse of Sturbridge, MA

BT's Smokehouse is a hidden gem of a BBQ joint of which the current location debuted its grand opening at noon this past Wednesday (BT's has been quietly producing epic BBQ in the area at several locations for the past 4 years or so). The traditional yet creative southern style BBQ offered by owner/chef Brian Treitman is nothing short of an ecstatic experience for the taste buds bordering on the transcendent.

Jumbo chicken wings, St.Louis style pork ribs, Beef Brisket and Pulled pork are but the tip of the iceberg that is BT's menu. In addition to an array of meats that are slow smoked for up to 14 hours with local hickory and apple woods BT's offers items not found at other BBQ spots. For the adventurous BBQ lover one might try BT's "pig newtons" or the jumbo ghost chili chicken wings, items which can be found along side staples such as fried pickles, hush puppies, collard greens, grits and cornbread.

Boasting more than 5 home made sauces ranging from delightfully sweet to hellishly hot. Each sauce boasts a flavor profile that could humble many of the finest sauces on the market today. Having been given the honor to try out the new "ghost chili sauce" which had a tinge of sweet smokey flavor followed by a high ranking scoville sting unmatched by any hot sauce I have come across in my time (mind you I actually drink franks red hot sauce) I became instantly convinced this place has a grand future.

Having dined there 6 times in the past week I advise the reader to take caution as to how BT's phenomenal food may become somewhat addicting. All joking aside I must implore you to try this place for yourself. Upon doing so I am sure you will find I have failed to truly describe the awesomeness BT's has to offer, however I would say the moniker "taste and believe" may very well be the simplest way to put it. In closing I would say for those of you BBQ fans living in California, it's worth the drive.