Smok'n Pig (Valdosta, GA)

To contact us Click HERE
4228 North Valdosta Road
Valdosta, GA 31602
229-245-8227
http://www.smoknpig.com/




If you've ever headed down I-75 to Florida, then you've probably seen the signs for Smok'n Pig in Valdosta. Not far off the exit, it's becoming somewhat of a tourist attraction and a popular BBQ stop in southern Georgia. I was recently traveling on business and made the stop to this BBQ destination that I've passed so many times before.

The interior reminds me a little bit of an overgrown Sonny's BBQ. Maybe it has something to do with the salad bar, but that was my initial thought when walking in. The hundreds of colorful neon spring break inspired t-shirts inside let everyone know that you were there first (think Salty Dog Cafe, Pineapple Willy's, Fudpuckers). I didn't buy one, but maybe next time. I sat down to a surprising myriad of different BBQ sauces. I counted six just at my booth and there could have been others at different tables. If you've got a sauce preference, then Smok'n Pig's got you covered. I went through them one by one with the hot, sweet, Carolina vinegar, original, mustard, and sweet and spicy. I was pretty impressed with all of them while no one stood out more than the other.  
I ordered my meal from one of the many young local female waitresses that seem to be everywhere here. Chopped pork, brisket, spare ribs, baked beans, and mac 'n cheese would do just fine on this day. And yes, it also came with the salad bar. I'm not sure where full salad bars fit into BBQ yet, but I'm leaning towards it being unnecessary. 

I know I've mentioned it before, but when you finely chop pork you're at serious risk of drying it out. This chopped pork was way too dry for me. Luckily, there was any kind of sauce I could desire nearby to alleviate the parching. It had a decent flavor with pieces of bark, but the dryness of the pork made it tough to finish...even with the sauce. The smoky brisket was cut paper thin with no great outer crust and on the same level of dryness as the pork. Again...see nearest BBQ sauce immediately. The sweet pork spare ribs were the last chance of saving grace for this GBH stop. They looked great, but when I bit in they were way too tough from not being cooked long enough. I'm not a fan of "fall off the bone" ribs, but I also don't like ribs that make a tearing noise when trying to rip it off the bone. The baked beans were probably my favorite thing about the meal, while the mac 'n cheese tasted like Kraft macaroni topped with additional cheddar cheese.


I'll be back in Valdosta to try additional BBQ joints, but I won't be repeating my visit to Smok'n Pig. I would focus more on the quality of BBQ that's being served here and less on funny t-shirts for high school spring breakers.