BBQ Interview Series - Kevin’s BBQ Joints

Harlan Porterfield of HarBQ: Building One of Portland’s Must-Try BBQ Spots

In this episode, I sit down with Harlan Porterfield, the man behind HarBQ in Portland, Oregon, to talk smoke, craft, and what it takes to build a BBQ spot with real soul. HarBQ is located at Von Ebert Brewing.
See all things HarBQ here: https://www.instagram.com/har.bq.pdx/
Pre-Order here: https://harbq-llc.square.site/
Address: 825 N. Cook st., Portland, Oregon 97227

Ivan Chavez (Chavo’s BBQ) Interview — Houston BBQ in the 2nd Ward

Ivan Chavez of Chavo’s BBQ joins me for a conversation about barbecue, passion, and Houston’s 2nd Ward—talking about what it takes to build a barbecue spot with heart, the craft behind the smoke, and the day-to-day reality of running a pit in one of the most vibrant food cities in America.
See all things Chavos BBQ here: https://www.instagram.com/chavosbbq
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chavosbbq
Check their social media for where they pop up next! If you love Texas BBQ, Houston food culture, and the stories behind the pits, this one’s for you.

The Story Behind Class-1 Barbecue with Owner Charles Carr

I get a chance to sit down with Charles Carr of Class-1 Barbeque, LLC | Amarillo, Texas.
Address: 2963 Blackburn St, Amarillo, TX 79109
Phone: (806) 910-8640
IG: https://www.instagram.com/class1bbq/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558885064338
Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm (or Sold Out)

Evan LeRoy (LeRoy & Lewis) — Texas Monthly #2 + Michelin-Star Pitmaster | Austin BBQ Deep Dive

Austin’s barbecue scene just hit another level. In this candid sit-down, Evan LeRoy—co-owner and pitmaster of LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue—breaks down what it took to be named #2 on the Texas Monthly Top 50 and to earn a Michelin Star. We get into menu philosophy, whole-animal cooking, sourcing, staff culture, the food truck beginnings, and why creativity + consistency is the secret sauce.
See all things LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue here:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/leroyandlewis
Address: 5621 Emerald Forest Dr, Austin, TX 78745
Phone: (512) 945-9882
Hours: 11 am - 9 pm - Wednesday - Monday
What we cover: The moment they learned about the Michelin Star (and what changed after) How LeRoy & Lewis built a cult following with “New School BBQ” Sourcing, specials, and whole-animal butchery done the right way Austin’s BBQ ecosystem: collaboration, competition, community What’s next for LeRoy & Lewis

Fire, Steel & Flow: Nick Ince of Bog Line Smokers

Nick Ince—founder of Bog Line Smokers—joins me to break down the art and engineering behind clean-burning offset pits. We dig into airflow, fire management, steel choices, welds, finishes, and the small details that separate a good cooker from a great one, and talk about their new backyard pit and festival.
See all things Bog Line Smokers here: https://www.bogline.ca
Equipment: https://www.bogline.ca/equipment
Contact them: https://www.bogline.ca/contact
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bog.line/

Inside LaVaca BBQ | Ranked #8 on the Texas Monthly Top 50 with Kelli Nevarez

Join me in Port Lavaca, Texas for a deep-dive with Kelli Nevarez of LaVaca BBQ—talking origins, craft, community, and the hard-earned lessons behind great Central Texas–style barbecue on the coast. We cover sourcing, pits, workflow, menu philosophy, and what it takes to build a loyal following one tray at a time.
See all things LaVaca BBQ here: https://www.lavacabbq.com
Address: 532 N Virginia St, Port Lavaca, TX 77979
Phone: (361) 894-2333
Menu: https://www.lavacabbq.com/menu-free
HOURS: ​Thursday: 11am - 2pm | Friday: 11am - 2pm | Saturday: 11am - 6:30pm | Sunday: 11am - 6:30pm
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mylavacabbq
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylavacabbq
Kelli's IG: https://www.instagram.com/misspitmaster

Aaron Franklin - Franklin Barbecue - The Interview

In this episode, I chat with Aaron Franklin from Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas.
See all things Franklin Barbecue here: https://franklinbbq.com
Address: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 653-1187
Tuesday - Sunday - 11 am - 3 pm (or Sold Out)
Aaron's Personal Tour of Franklin Barbecue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsOLJ6tfo-4
Preorder: https://preorder.franklinbbq.com
Franklin Barbecue Pits: https://franklinbbqpits.com
Ship Franklin BBQ: https://www.goldbelly.com/restaurants/franklin-barbecue
Uptown Sports Club: https://www.uptownsports.club
Address: 1200 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 551-2013

Daniel Vaughn - 2025 Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ List

Daniel Vaughn, the Barbecue Editor for Texas Monthly Magazine, sat down with me to discuss the 2025 Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ List, which just came out on Tuesday, May 27th.
See The List here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/top-50-bbq-2025
See the Honorable Mention list here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/top-50-bbq-2025
Daniel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bbqsnob