A Barbecue Food Truck Rolls into a Small NC Town

Up in Smoke BBQ sets up in Southern Pines, NC.

 Barbecue food trucks seem to be multiplying. They serve an increasing number of people wanting their beloved barbecue while the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the restaurant industry are brought under control. Although the restrictions that limit how many customers on-site that restaurants can serve are slowly being lifted, trucks may have found a long-term opportunity to connect with barbecue fans even after the pandemic has ended. 

Trays of pulled pork inside the truck are ready for orders. Photo: Up in Smoke via Facebook.

Up in Smoke BBQ 

In downtown Southern Pines, NC, on the premises of Hatchett Brewery Co., Up in Smoke BBQ set up one weekend to offer good-tasting barbecue to beer fans who otherwise wouldn’t have had anything substantial to eat. Also known as the BBQ Bus (although it’s really a trailer with a bus logo painted on it), Up in Smoke BBQ and other barbecue trucks that locate at a craft brewery have found a good partner, and all can benefit from mutual promotion. The menu varies with each event, but barbecue is always served. 

The menu usually includes ribs but always includes pulled pork.

Although Southern Pines restricts food trucks in its central business district, permits can be obtained in advance with a little thoughtful planning. The restrictions are designed to protect brick-and-mortar restaurants that pay property taxes from competition with trucks that have lower expenses. However, a barbecue food truck isn’t competition for restaurants and bars that generally don’t serve barbecue. If a truck doesn’t roll in, barbecue is not available. 

My pulled pork order with two servings of coleslaw.

Truck Menu

When I was at Up in Smoke BBQ, the truck was continually busy serving customers who were entering and leaving the craft brewery. Most customers probably were more focused on beer than barbecue, but for me, my concentration was totally on the pork. The popular choice was pulled pork, which is what I ordered. It was excellent, and several sauce options were available. 

The BBQ bus logo is very prominent on the trailer of Up in Smoke.

Finding good barbecue on food trucks is no longer a rare experience. Let’s hope that they keep rolling.

Smoking Barbecue on a Food Truck

Smoke coming from the truck is a good sign, not a bad one.

Finding a food truck that serves amazing pulled pork is a special discovery, particularly during a coronavirus pandemic when many people don’t want to eat indoors and are compelled to maintain “social distances” as recommended by public health authorities. 

Barbecue Food Truck 

As I was driving in the Sandhills of North Carolina, the smoke spiraling from a red food truck caught my eye even before I saw a sign with big black letters simply stating, “Bar-B-Que.” It was a place that I had to stop. 

The cooker stays busy for many hours. Source: Smok'n Joe's BBQ via Facebook.

After talking to Joe Kelso for a few moments, I knew that I had unexpectedly met an authentic pitmaster who knew the secrets of slowly smoking pork and who was rightly proud of his work. With an earlier assignment to write an article about local barbecue for Sandhills Magazine, I was in the right place at the right time to collect information for the article. 

Pork shoulders are cooked slowly for a long tie. Source: Smok'n Joe's BBQ via Facebook.

Barbecue and Baked Beans 

Kelso, who has been cooking barbecue for decades, operates The Rocking Pig, a food truck that features Smok’n Joe’s BBQ. The truck revives the name of a former barbecue place in Maxton, NC, that is now closed. Smok’n Joe’s BBQ gives a special identity to the barbecue made by Kelso and a nod to his genius at the smoker. 

My to-go plate of pulled pork barbecue with baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw.

The menu of the truck is simple: pulled pork barbecue generously moistened with a vinegar-based sauce. A plate comes with baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad. The beans deserve special mention because they are heartily enhanced with extra pulled pork. They were so good that I went back to the truck and ordered a large container to take home after enjoying my plate. 

A pot of baked beans is ready for customers. Source: Smok'n Joe's BBQ via Facebook.

Permanent Location 

Unlike most food trucks, The Rocking Pig is stationary and does not move from site to site. It’s always on the west side of US Hwy 1 between Aberdeen and Pinebluff, NC. Kelso says he’s avoiding “the rodeo” of moving from place to place such as breweries and shopping centers so common for other food trucks. 

If the sign says, "Bar-B-Que," perhaps you should stop. Source: Smok'n Joe's BBQ via Facebook.

Don’t be surprised when you find excellent barbecue at a food truck. It all depends on the skill of the pitmaster.