I am a huge fan of barbecue. Not just any type of barbecue—North Carolina chopped barbecue. The kind of barbecue that’s done low and slow in a smoker. I have done my own experimentation to replicate it at home, but I’m always on the lookout for good ‘cue.
On a recent trip to visit friends in Harpers Ferry, I saw the smoking rig and the big “BBQ” sign. I had to check it out. A friend and I stopped to pick up lunch. Rolling Smoke was obviously doing a booming business. However with one person taking orders and one person manning the smoker, the wait is long.
The modest menu consists of chopped pork barbecue or beef brisket sandwiches, ribs, smoked mac & cheese, and coleslaw. I ordered the chopped pork barbecue sandwich ($6) and smoked mac & cheese ($4). My friend ordered the beef brisket sandwich ($10).
My sandwich, while not the NC style I crave, was a decent rendition of a chopped pork barbecue sandwich. The meat was tender and flavorful. The sauce added a bit of sweetness with a slight tang of vinegar. The coleslaw was an excellent counterpoint.
My friend’s beef brisket sandwich was not as plentiful as my chopped pork sandwich. Her sandwich consisted of 1 large slice and two small slices of beef brisket. She said it was pretty good but not $10 worth.
I’m kind of a mac and cheese snob. I usually don’t order it because restaurants typically don’t make it as well as I do at home. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the mac and cheese. The smoke was evident but not overwhelming, creating a pleasant side dish.
So if you happen to find yourself in Harpers Ferry, Give Rolling Smoke a try—just make sure you have time to wait.
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