Whole Hog not what it was? where do you go for BBQ now

Saw somebody online (a fella driving through, not from here) saying the Whole Hog Cafe on our side of town has gone downhill, and a lot of the replies agreed with him. I went last week and honestly I get it. Sandwich was smaller than I remember and the price sure wasn't, and the pork just tasted kind of flat to me. Maybe I caught it on an off day.

So what are y'all doing instead? Names I keep seeing are the Hog Pen on Sutton just off Harkrider (I hear it's only open Thursday through Saturday?), Almost Famous Smoke House, and the Smoke Shack out in Morgan. Has anybody tried them lately? Mostly wondering about the pork and the sides, and whether it's worth the drive from Beaverfork. I'm not picky, just want a good sandwich without paying a fortune for it.

Not just you, Barb. I went to Whole Hog back in the spring and had about the same experience. Sandwich looked a little thin for what I paid, and the pork was fine but nothing I'd go out of my way for. It used to be my default when family was in town. I'm not sure what changed, but I haven't been back since.

I've been to the Hog Pen a few times now. Yes, it's just Thursday through Saturday, and I'd go earlier rather than later because I've shown up late and the pickings were slim. The pork had more smoke flavor than I get at Whole Hog these days, and the price felt fair for what you get. I always get a sandwich and the beans. For the drive from Beaverfork it's just Sutton off Harkrider, so I wouldn't call it a haul.

I haven't tried Almost Famous yet, so I can't speak to it. Smoke Shack in Morgan is on my list. A buddy from work swears by it, but it's a bit of a trek from Salem Road for a weeknight dinner.

If it was me, I'd plan around a Thursday or Friday and hit the Hog Pen first. Then report back, because I'd like to hear how the others stack up. Might do a taste test before Razorback season really gets going and everybody's buying pork for tailgates.

Thanks Rick, good to know it wasn't just me being cranky. Thursday or Friday it is then, I'll get there early so I don't end up with the leftovers. Beans and a sandwich sounds right to me.

I might try Almost Famous the same week so I can compare while the taste is still fresh. Smoke Shack in Morgan I'll save for a day I'm already headed that direction... not driving all that way for one sandwich at my age 🙂 well, no, scratch that, no emoji. Just not making a special trip.

A tailgate taste test is a good idea. I'll report back either way.

Ha, I saw you catch yourself on the emoji. Fair enough, I'll let it slide.

One tip for the side-by-side: order the exact same thing at each place. Plain pork sandwich, sauce on the side, same sides if you can. Otherwise you end up comparing somebody's sauce to somebody else's bun and it doesn't tell you much. I learned that the hard way trying to compare hardware stores by whatever I happened to be buying that day. Wasn't a fair test.

Since you're hitting Almost Famous the same week, I'd also call ahead on hours. Small places like that don't always keep the schedule you'd expect, and I'd hate for you to make the trip and find a closed sign.

Looking forward to the report. If I get the back fence finished this month I'll treat myself to a Hog Pen run to celebrate, and then I can say something about Almost Famous too.

Ha, you caught me. Old habit, my granddaughter put that thing in my head.

Good point on ordering the same thing everywhere. I'd have gone and gotten the sandwich at one place and a plate at another and then had no idea what I was comparing. Plain pork, sauce on the side, beans. Writing it on the back of my grocery list so I don't forget.

I'll call Almost Famous before I head out too. Nothing worse than driving over and finding a closed sign. Plan is the Hog Pen Thursday, early, and then Almost Famous Friday if my knee cooperates.

Hope the back fence goes quick for you. Fence work in June around here is rough, that heat doesn't let up.

Hope the knee holds up Barb. I remember when Whole Hog sandwhiches were piled so high you needed two hands, so I get what your saying. Hog Pen is where I go now, defintely get there before noon tho or the good stuff is gone. Let us know how Almost Famous does.

Good plan, Barb. Hope the knee cooperates. Post back after the taste test, and keep it to the pork, sides and price so the thread stays useful for everybody.

Will do, Austin. Pork, sides and price, nothing else. I'll take notes on the back of the grocery list like I said and post once I've been to both.

Funny thing, I can remember when that stretch of Harkrider looked nothing like it does now. Anyway, Thursday morning, early.