Ep 7. Smoked Whole Hog

Burgers, Brew & 'Que season 4 episode 7, titled "Smoked Whole Hog," takes viewers on a mouth-watering journey through Kansas City, Missouri as the show's host, Michael Symon, seeks out the best and most flavorful whole hog dishes in the city.

Starting off the episode, Symon heads to Char Bar for some slow-cooked pulled pork. The pitmaster, Mitch Benjamin, takes him on a tour of their smoker, explaining how they smoke their meats low and slow using only hickory wood. Symon then gets a taste of their most popular dish, a pulled pork sandwich served with tangy BBQ sauce and crispy onion rings.

Next up, Symon visits Q39, a Kansas City BBQ staple with a modern twist. Executive Chef and co-owner Rob Magee shows Symon around their open kitchen, where they smoke their meats with a blend of hickory and cherrywood. Symon gets to try their signature dish, the "Chopped Burnt Ends," which is made with burnt ends, apple BBQ sauce, onion straws, and pickles.

The third stop on Symon's journey is Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, a local favorite known for its award-winning BBQ. Symon meets with pitmaster Jeff Stehney, who shows him how they smoke their whole hog using a combination of hickory and oak wood. Symon tries their special "Z-Man" sandwich, made with sliced brisket, smoked provolone cheese, and onion rings, before moving on to their whole hog offering.

At The Rieger, Symon meets Chef Howard Hanna, who specializes in putting his own modern twist on traditional barbecue dishes. Symon samples their crispy pork belly sliders topped with homemade pickles and their smoked pork chop served with black garlic gravy and Hasselback potatoes.

Symon's final stop is at Slap's BBQ, a popular spot known for its smoked meats and unique BBQ creations. Symon meets with pitmaster Joe Pearce, who takes him on a tour of their smoker and shows him how they smoke their whole hog for 18 hours. Symon gets to try their famous "Burnt End Chili," made with brisket and pork burnt ends, before indulging in their whole hog platter.

Throughout the episode, Symon not only gets a taste of the best whole hog dishes in Kansas City but he also learns about the history and culture of barbecue in the city. With each stop, viewers are treated to a unique and mouth-watering experience, showcasing the diversity and creativity of the BBQ scene in Kansas City.

Overall, Burgers, Brew & 'Que season 4 episode 7 is an exciting and delicious journey through the heart of Kansas City's BBQ scene, with Symon as the perfect guide. Whether you're a barbecue aficionado or just a lover of good food, this episode is sure to leave you hungry for more.