Pit Stop Smokehouse Home About Contact Choosing The “Right” Grill With the nicer weather, comes thoughts of grilling out and enjoying some delicious bbq with friends and family. Are you thinking of buying a new grill for this season? Are you overwhelmed with all of the choices out there on the market for grills? There’s one thing to remember, you aren’t just buying a grill you’re buying an outdoor accessory that will either make or break you and your family’s love for grilled food! The first thing you want to think about is do you want a gas grill or charcoal? Let’s explore some things about each of these! Gas grills, of course, are easier to cook on and a standard 20lb propane tank can last for up to 20 hours of cooking time. It’s always good to have a back-up propane tank, because it never fails, you go to grill dinner and your current tank will be empty! Charcoal grills are a little more work with changing out the coals after each time you use the grill and you very well may get a face full of ash! There are many features to consider on grills such as rotisserie options, built in thermostat, a shelf on the inside, a smoke box, lights, side burners, hanging space for forks and brushes. You also want to think about how big of a grill do you have room for or do you want a portable grill that can be taken to tailgate parties, camping and still be used at home. A good grill is an essential to every backyard! Choosing the right grill for you all depends on whether you are a gas or charcoal fan, how much you will use the grill and the different features you may want. Take some time to go out and do your research on any grills you may be interested in, read the reviews, talk to neighbors, friends and family! Once you choose your grill, go ahead and enjoy some good ole’ home BBQ! If you’re not into having a grill or have no space, no problem, there are indoor grills you can choose from that are electric and small in size. Or if that won’t cut it and you don’t want a grill at all or have no room for one, there’s always Pit Stop BBQ food truck to feed your cravings! We may have a new location for our food truck so keep checking our Facebook page for info! jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment April 13, 2019 2 Minutes Brisket Here at Pit Stop BBQ, we enjoy what we do and love to cook for you! If you haven’t tried our smoked brisket sandwich, now is the time! Our smoked brisket sandwich is made from mouth watering smoked brisket piled on a grilled bulky roll and served with your choice of BBQ sauce, chips or french fires and slaw. Often people aren’t sure what exactly brisket is and therefore are intimidated to order it off of a menu. Brisket is a large piece of beef that comes from the breast section of the cow and can be up to 20lbs in size and is high in collagen! Collagen is essential to adults as they age as it helps boost the health of tendons and ligaments which can break down as we age. Brisket is either cured or smoked. It’s also the best cut of beef for slow cooking because brisket can be a tough cut of meat but if cooked slow and low, it can be very tender. If you have ever eaten pastrami or corned beef, this is also brisket! Corned beef is brisket cured with salt and spices and then simmered in water and often served with cabbage, potatoes and other vegetables. Pastrami is often smoked causing a crust on the outside of the meat before the final cooking phase and enjoyed on sandwiches! Next time you visit us at Pit Stop BBQ, enjoy fresh BBQ at it’s finest! It’s lip smacking good and you’re going to love it! jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment March 3, 2019 1 Minute Planning an Event or Wedding? Are you planning a wedding, birthday party, graduation party, engagement party or event for this year? We know it’s a lot of work to plan an event and that’s why Pit Stop Smokehouse is here for you and all of your catering needs. You’ve gone through all of the trouble to plan the day and have it be perfect and that’s why we are here for you! After all of the planning for your event, you don’t want to have to worry about the food. You have other things to focus on. Whether you’re planning a birthday, wedding, anniversary, business gathering or anything in between, the food served shouldn’t be your concern. You should be able to get to what matters, the event. Here are some benefits of catering your event. Menu Flexibility We can create a menu that fits your various needs while still provided excellent quality. We can work any dietary restrictions and food requirements that you may need to consider in making your event the best!. Less Stress Let Pit Stop Smokehouse BBQ take care of the food so you can focus on the rest of the event! It’s beneficial to have Pit Stop Smokehouse taking care of all of the prepping, setting up and cooking. This is a stress you don’t want to deal with the day of your event. So in closing, we all know of or have been to events where the food is a little too dry or overcooked or looks less than appealing. We’ll work with you every step of the way to make your moment everything you wanted it to be and the food will be smokin’ good! When looking for a catering company, look no further than Pit Stop Smokehouse BBQ. ! jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment February 2, 2019 1 Minute Thanksgiving BBQ Turkey Thanksgiving is all about the turkey and this month we are going to focus on Thanksgiving BBQ ideas! If you’re smoking the turkey, it’s recommended that the turkey be no larger than 13lbs to ensure a great end result with the meat. We suggest using turkey brine and leaving the turkey in it over night. You can aslo add a nice Chili Sugar Rub onto the turkey the day of cooking or to add some extra flavor give Cranberry BBQ sauce a try! This recipe will have you coming back for seconds and thirds! Cranberry Barbecue Sauce Ingredients: 2 tablespoons canola oil 4 cloves garlic, crushed 1 yellow onion, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup dark brown sugar 1/4 cup tomato paste 1 tablespoon powdered mustard 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 5 tablespoons cider vinegar 1 cup fresh or frozen and thawed cranberries 1 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth Method: Heat oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion until softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Add sugar, tomato paste, mustard and cayenne and cook, stirring constantly until darkened and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in vinegar and cranberries and continue to cook, stirring often, until cranberries begin to pop, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside to let cool slightly. Transfer contents of the pot to a blender or food processor and purée until smooth. Transfer to a jar, seal tightly and refrigerate. Hint: you can use canned cranberry sauce, pureed to add into the recipe for a little more flavor & sweetness! Happy Thanksgiving – Enjoy! jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment November 10, 2018 1 Minute Pulled Pork………. Who doesn’t love a delicious pulled pork sandwich? Right?!! Have you ever wondered where smoked and pulled pork or the idea of smoked or pulled pork started? The process of smoking pork was created when the Spanish settlers first arrived in the United States. They watched natives building a smoky fire underneath their game, and took notice of how the process kept bugs away and preserved the meat. This is said to be the first known barbecue process. Over time, the process evolved, with the migration of Africans and Europeans to the South. Pigs became a main source of meat for people in the Southern colonies, due to their cheap price tag and easy maintenance. Plantation owners would release pigs into the woods to graze for months knowing that they could be easily hunted when food supplies were low. These pigs were semi-wild and a bit tough when roasted, but all parts of the pig were kept and consumed. Over time, the pig became a proud staple of southerners, and more care was taken to fatten and marble the pig. The southerners did not export pigs to the north, so these marbled swine became an exclusive food source to the south. Festivals and other gatherings were scheduled around the slaughtering of the semi-wild pigs and roastings. The traditional Southern BBQ grew out of these gatherings. Make sure to stop on by our food truck at 216 Marlboro Street in Keene, NH. We are open 11am-5pm Monday through Friday! jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment October 13, 2018 1 Minute Tips for Fall Grilling & Barbecuing Here it is September already and the crispness and cool weather has started to arrive. Though a few more warm days are most likely ahead of us, fall grilling and barbecuing can be much more enjoyable than sweating in front of your grill in the heat of the summer! If you can’t make it to Pit Stop BBQ’s food truck in Keene, NH and want to grill out at home this fall, we have the following suggestions to keep it exciting and new! Don’t be afraid to try new marinades and spices. Check out what you have in the pantry and don’t be afraid to mix a few different spices together to create your own marinade. Check out your liquor cabinet for brandy, wine, tequila or rum. Many marinades can be spruced up with a splash of your favorite liquor. Better yet, create your own dipping sauces for meats utilizing what you have on hand. Pick the remaining fresh herbs in your herb garden and add some zest to your marinades. Be creative and have fun! With a splash of this and a pinch of that, you’re onto your own culinary creation. So get out there and enjoy fall and your grill! Don’t forget to stop and enjoy our food truck at 216 Marlboro Street in Keene, NH! We are open Monday – Friday 11am-5pm jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment September 9, 2018 1 Minute Hosting a Party, Event, or Function? Pit Stop BBQ Caters! Pit Stop BBQ would love to cater your party or event. No party is too big or too small for Pit Stop BBQ to cater. From the appetizers to the dessert, we will have you and your guests savoring every bite! We specialize in providing a catered experience that will impress you and your guests. Also, aside from award winning BBQ, we can even do old classics such as Chicken Marsala, Baked Stuffed Haddock, Chicken, Steak or even pasta. Enjoy our catering options or we would be happy to customize a menu to your liking. Some of our current catering choices: Meat Choices Include, Pulled Pork, St. Louis Style Pork Ribs, Brisket, Smoked Turkey, Smoked Ham, Variety of chicken. Sides Choices Include, Pasta Salad, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Vegetable Medley, Garden Salad, Baked Beans, Caesar Salad, Corn on the Cob and Fruit Salad. Appetizer Choices Cheese Display with Crackers Fruit Display Grilled Vegetable and Dip Smoked Brisket Crostini with a BBQ salsa Fresh Avocado Dip with Grilled Pita Chips BBQ Grilled Shrimp Skewers Smoked Artichoke and Spinach Dip Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip Pulled pork shooters: (Filo filled with Pulled Pork and Cole slaw, garnished with Roasted Red Pepper) Scallops wrapped in bacon Red potato’s stuffed with bacon and smoked cheddar Don’t stress over the event planning, let us take care of you! jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment August 4, 2018 1 Minute Visiting NH This Summer? Visiting the Monadnock Region? Planning a trip this summer to the beautiful states of New Hampshire or Vermont? There is an abundance of things to do in the area and don’t forget to put Pit Stop BBQ food truck on your list! The most popular attraction in the area is the Mount Monadnock with climbing, hiking, picnicking, camping and skiing in the winter months! This beautiful mountain which has a 3,165 ft summit has 40 acres of trails. Once reaching the summit you can see for 100 miles which includes six New England states. You can enjoy one of the many state and federal parks in the area some of our favorites are: Bear Den Natural Area (Gilsum, NH). An easy walk to ancient glacial pot holes. Chesterfield Gorge State Park (Chesterfield, NH) – A ¾ mile trail that is an easy hike with picnic area. Greenfield State Park (Greenfield, NH) – Located on Otter lake with swimming, picnic areas and a campground. Rhododendron State Park (Fitzwilliam, NH) – this beautiful park has 16 acres of blooming wild Rhododendrons in mid-July. A neat place to visit is Terrapin Glass in Jeffrey, NH where you can tour the studio, take a glassblowing class or watch free demonstrations. www.terrapinglass.com You can put on those shopping shoes and shop to your hearts content at: Antiques & Collectibles Mall of New England in Greenville, NH. There is something for everyone! Frye’s Measure Mill in Wilton, NH offers country furnishings, art and collectibles. Hannah Grimes Marketplace in Keene, NH sells items made in New Hampshire such as jewelery, pottery, soap, baskets and specialty foods. Peterboro Basket Company in Peterborough, NH has a great variety of baskets and gift ideas. If you’re a covered bridge enthusiast, our area has some of the most beautiful covered bridges in New England! For a complete list of covered bridges go to: http://www.monadnocktravel.com/acitivities-coveredbridges-nh.html After all of your days activities, stop in at Pit Stop BBQ, 216 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH and enjoy the best BBQ in New England! We are open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm. jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment July 6, 2018 1 Minute New Adventure! Happy Spring! Finally nice weather has arrived and lip smackin‘ BBQ is on the mind! We are excited to announce our newest adventure… our food truck! Pit Stop Bar-B-Que Food Truck will be opening up this month at 216 Marlboro Street in Keene, NH!! We will be serving up our best, lip smacking BBQ! We are also still catering weddings, events and parties. If you’re looking for one of the best caterer’s in the area, Pit Stop Bar-B-Que is it! We will work with you to create the menu of your dreams and have your event be one that will be the talk of the town! Keep checking our Facebook page for details on our new food truck! We look forward to serving you lip smackin’ Bar-B-Que! jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment May 1, 2018 1 Minute Thinking about Catering Your Own Event? Hosting a party, shower, event, or wedding on a budget is not easy. You want the best quality for the most affordable price. You look for ways to save without compromising on the experience. Because of this, man folks consider catering their own event. It might make sense in the moment that catering your own event will be the less expensive option. But is it the best option? Should you cater your own event? Does it really save that much money when it’s all said and done? You may want to think twice! Purchasing, prepping and cooking a large amount of food is not easy. If you’ve never done it before this can be a daunting task! It takes time, patience and care to pull it off. Then there’s the cooking – this can be very overwhelming. Unless you have access to a commercial kitchen space, you’ll likely have to rotate the preparation of certain items, using what room you do have. Unless you’re preparing it all the day of the event, you’ll need a place to store it. Make sure to have enough plates, napkins, utensils, pans, bowls, etc for prepping, platters for serving, etc. You can find yourself overwhelmed quite quickly and that’s when things can go wrong. Overcooked food, undercooked food and more! Many party planners expect to cater their events with the help of family and friends. While those loved ones might be willing to help, they probably also want to just be a part of the party. The more people you have assisting with your catering and serving, the more people you have missing the fun. You won’t regret hiring a cater that’s for sure. When the day of your event comes, and the caterer comes in with all the food ready to be served to your guests, you’ll know you made the right decision. To be stress free is a benefit in itself. Just sit back and enjoy! For all of your catering needs, contact Pit Stop Smokehouse today! (603) 399-9010 jdkotler Uncategorized Leave a comment March 7, 2018 1 Minute Pit Stop Smokehouse Blog at WordPress.com. Follow