Pops BBQ (Huntersville)

A few months ago I started to notice a BBQ trailer in front of the Cashions at the intersection of Catawba Ave. and Hwy 73. The trailer is only there on Fridays and Saturdays, and going to a BBQ trailer is something new for me -- where I grew up, there were taco stands, not BBQ stands.

So, I decided to take a chance and fill up on gas -- and top-off the car too. :)

I went up to the trailer, and didn't see anybody inside. After yelling "Hello?" I received a response, and it turns out that Pop (I don't know if that's what he's really called, but he is the owner of Pop's BBQ, so that's how I'm referring to him.) was in the back of the trailer.

As I got to talking with Pop, it turns out that cooking BBQ is a hobby that he's using to supplement his income. From our brief conversation, it sounds as if his other business isn't doing so well in the recession, so he sells BBQ to make ends meet.

I've gotta say, he's doing us all a favor by selling his BBQ, it's good stuff.

Once I got it home, I opened the box and took a look. I had a LOT of pork BBQ with his vinegar based sauce already on it. The pork was accompanied with two sides: coleslaw and baked beans. There was also a standard hamburger bun included, in case I wanted to make a sandwich.

The BBQ is standard pulled / chopped pork with a vinegar based Carolina BBQ sauce. The pork was nice and moist and the sauce had more tomato than I was expecting. It was thicker than the vinegar-based sauces that I'm used to, and it was much more red in color. In addition, it has a nice black pepper flavor to it, which gave the BBQ some depth of flavor.

I wasn't as happy with the sides. The coleslaw was nice and crunchy, while containing some carrots and bell peppers. However, it didn't have the typical mayonnaise-based sauce and because of that it seemed to be lacking in flavor. The baked beans cold. They had a nice thick molasses-like sauce but there was little, if any, meat.

That said, Pop is quite friendly, and served up the food quickly. In addition, there were a few other menu items than just BBQ. I'd definitely recommend giving Pops a try.

Score:

Atmosphere: 1/5 (It's a trailer in front of a gas station, there is no atmosphere)

Food: 3/5 (The pork is great, but the sides were lack-luster. I'd recommend getting a BBQ sandwich.

Service: 4/5 (I came to like Pop quickly, so I'll say the service was above average)

Total: 8/15 (or 7/10 I don't' think that the lack of a dining room should be held against Pop's BBQ)

Price: $ (food and drink just under $10)

Kid Friendly: No, but since you're not eating here, it doesn't matter.

Conclusion: Good BBQ for a good price. If you're driving by and in a hurry for a meal, Pop's BBQ is a good option.

Restaurant Info:

Pops BBQ

(In front of Cashions Quik Stop 5)

16600 Highway 73

Huntersville, NC 28078