A caller to The Food Show (airs 2-4pm weekdays on WGSO 990-AM) told me that there is a new barbecue joint on the North shore called Notorious P.I.G. He knew of my frustration that restaurants serving one of my favorite foods on the north shore are lackluster, at best.When he mentioned its location, Madisonville, my mind immediately went to this little shack I have always pictured as a barbecue place, even when it was for a long time a successful barber shop.
I went almost immediately to try it, hoping it was in that little shack, and indeed it is. The place is a block west of the intersection of highways 21 S and 22 W. Anyone who has even been in these parts has noticed the shack, and wondered about it. The little wooden shack must be bigger than I thought, because Notorious P.I.G. has a substantial menu, including one of my favorite things, beef ribs. Ordering is at a window and there are benches for waiting. Seating is in the parking lot. A few plastic tables and chairs constitute communal seating. The smoking takes place behind a fence in another open air shed.
On my first visit here I went with the sliced brisket platter with two sides. It was then that I discovered the very best version of these sides I have ever encountered. This ensemble includes a pile of pickled onions and a slice of Texas toast, as well as a drink. I chose a Coke in a bottle (there is no iced tea) and the slides were coleslaw and collard greens. Service is pick-up when your name is called, and styrofoam sectional plates are first lined with parchment (Thank you!) and placed in carry out bags.
The brisket was sliced and tender enough to slightly crumble at the edges. The smoke ring was perfect and I love this brisket. But it was the sides that grabbed me. The coleslaw was more of a vinaigrette, which I know is better for me, but they just aren’t as good as the creamier versions. This was. Colorful and crunchy, this was guilt-free coleslaw.
The Pit Beans are the best I have had anywhere. I find lately in my barbecue travels that beans are getting amped-up. Barbecue beans circa 2025 ain’t Campbell’s Pork’n’Beans. These Pit beans were first, interesting. A combination of various beans large and small, they made for an interesting visual as well as a great taste. I don’t find them too sweet, which may explain my passion for them. Love these!
I got a side of collard greens to try them. The only place I ever eat collard greens is at a barbecue place, but they are so good for you I cross my fingers to try them. Not necessary at Notorious P.I.G.. These were also the very best collard greens I have ever had. They were very small pieces and cooked to soft. Terrific.
I did finish the pickled onions, and since I try not to eat bread I left the Texas Toast. Too bad. I though it was much better than white bread. Buttery and toasty, this is good stuff. The sandwiches here are made on this same buttery and toasted Texas toast.
The first visit left me looking forward to the next one. I also wondered what he would do when the weather was rainy or cold
Both Marys are barbecue nuts so I just brought the other Mary back with me. This time we got the Big Poppa beef rib and a two meat platter that included pulled pork. And she wanted mac’n’cheese. Barbecue places are not good spots for one of our favorite comfort foods. I have not had one yet anywhere that I needed to have again. This one was no exception. We had a few bites just to make sure.
It was made with elbow macaroni and was utterly ordinary. ML said she needed to talk to the owner “about his cheese.”
The beef rib was wonderful. Cooked tender enough to be falling off the bone, I loved this. There was plenty of crust here and plenty of fat. We luckily got the end, so there was more crust than there otherwise would be.
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We also noticed that the Texas toast appeared to have become garlic bread. Never a problem.
I look forward to making Notorious P.I.G. my new favorite barbecue joint. But having an outpost of my favorite food this good so close to home will be dangerous. Ah, well. And I'm still wondering about the wet and cold weather.
