I challenge anyone to enter the new Hog Pit Smokehouse Bar and Grill in the old Taco Bron location at 6910 E. Tanque Verde Road without embarking on an eating binge that will leave you sauce-smothered and craving more of what comes out of the magical smoker.
I’m just going to come clean here with how this went down. I typically don’t eat meat—I don’t enjoy the flavor of it, so I typically order veggie options. Well, that changed this Wednesday when I stopped in the Hog Pit to check it out for the Noshing Around column, only to find myself devouring a pulled-pork sandwich in my car a half-hour later. I almost licked the to-go container too. I am not joking.
It’s the smell. The place is absolutely permeated with a smoky scent that is unlike any I’ve encountered. I felt entranced, intoxicated and mesmerized. It was like one of those cartoons where a scent cloud in the shape of a hand grabs the character and drags him around like a ragdoll.
The pulled pork was amazing, and judging from the happy looks on the faces of the people mowing through racks of baby-back ribs, those aren’t too bad either.
Check out their Facebook page here. Call 722-4302 for more info.
This article appears in Oct 29 – Nov 4, 2009.
Nice review, but it didn’t ring true when I went to the Hog Pit; No BBQ smells awaited me as I drove in the lot & walked in the door, and no racks of Baby Back Ribs awaited…In fact, I was told that they didn’t have any baby backs & might not carry them in the future…something about the smoker dries them out. Gimme a break – slather them with sauce and don’t overcook ’em. No big deal, especially at $22.75/rack.
My gawd, it is just a glorified Chuy’s there, and the service was simply awful. I waited 45 minutes for a take-out order of pulled pork. The bartendress / waitress ignored me, and then expected a big tip as I left. Sorry honey – not one thin cent for your lame-ass “service”…
Now the good stuff about the Hog-Pit; excellent cornbread. Damn decent fries, and not bad sauces, but very hot indeed. The pulled pork was just ok, and could have been a whole lot more moist, as it was dried out and not pulled or chopped whatsoever – just big ole dog-sized hunks of pork. Good luck on fitting those chunks on a bun. The cole slaw was also damn decent, but not at $1.99 for a tiny little cup, about a large jigger full.
I dunno, I may not return, as the promise here at the Hog Pit far exceeds the reality. It is an over-priced wannabe in my not-so-humble opinion. At least it is on the eastside for those of us who don’t wish to drive an hour to get bbq.
Forged in the smoldering coals of a huge industrial size smoker and tested on the fields of biker functions and tattoo shows, the Hog pit has grown to be one of the hottest tickets offered in the Tucson area. The review above is all wrong I don’t know if that guy went to the same place as I did, the hog pit is brand new and needed to get some kinks worked out with its service staff, but every time I have gone there the service has been prompt and professional.
As for the food, forget about it, hands down best BBQ on the east side, Harley Davidson likes the place so much they are having there bike nights there. Check them out you won’t be disappointed, great food great people and awesome biker friendly atmosphere.
I don’t know what the desert pup(what the hell is that name about?)ate but I’ve been there 3 times and it was awesome! Good service and when I was not happy with not enough BBQ sauce, the waitress was quick to get more. where can you get pulled pork sandwich/fries for $5.95 @ lunch??
I think ole desert pup walks around with a cow chip on his/her shoulder!
The Hog Pit gets my vote
Bobby,
“Ride Fast-Take Chances”
Went there today 3/27/2010, got brisquet platter (or should i say the fat platter). Sent it back as soon as if saw it. As a Texan, I have been eating brisquet for 40+ years. It always has some fat but it appears they went out of their way to serve me only fat. Changed it out for the pulled purk which was very good. If what I got is what they call brisquet, I will never order it again.