Why Pitmasters Are Putting Eggs on the Barbecue

by Hanna Raskin, Posted May 21st 2010 @ 11:00AM

While traditionalists still take their eggs in the morning and their 'cue in the afternoon, a few experimental pitmasters are putting their own spin on the "eggs on everything" trend that's lately seized high-end pasta joints and pizzerias.

At Luella's Bar-B-Que in Asheville, the most popular brunch dish is a scramble of pulled pork, collards and eggs. And over in Houston, restaurant critic Robb Walsh recently conferred 'favorite dish' status on Plantation BBQ Trailer's tortilla crammed with barbecued brisket and scrambled eggs.

"When you crack that yolk over a barbecue sandwich, you've just added creamy lusciousness," says Luella's owner Jeff Miller, likening the combination to the bacon lardon and poached egg that might surface on an Old World salad.

Miller considers a simple fried egg a "super delicious" addition to his sandwiches, but acknowledges most pork partisans are loathe to fool with their barbecue – despite the overwhelming popularity of pork egg foo young at storefront Chinese take-out spots across the South.

"Barbecue is a place where Americans allow themselves to be stubborn," he says.

Whitley's BBQ in Lexington, N.C. serves breakfast every morning starting at 6 a.m., but owner Sherry Hedrick says she's never put eggs and barbecue on the same plate.

"That sounds foreign to us," she laughs. "But, then again, it's probably no different than sausage. We might start a whole new thing."

Filed Under: Food News, Restaurants
Tags: barbecue, eggs, southern food, SouthernFood

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-21-2010 @2:11PM Mattheous @ Menu Musings said... I just don't see how barbeque sauce could go well with eggs...Then again, most people don't put ketchup on their eggs.
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5-24-2010 @4:01AM Blurgle said... I forget the exact name of it, but the Red Robin chain of restaurants has had a burger with a fried egg on it for decades now. I remember seeing it on the menu in the 80's. I don't go to Red Robin that often now, but the few times I still do, I will often order that burger. It really does work well on it.

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5-21-2010 @2:42PM Matt said... I grew up hating the idea of ketchup on eggs, now I love it. I love an egg on my past or burger. BBQ, sure, bring it on!
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5-23-2010 @9:04PM Alana said... Us Aussies and Kiwis have been putting fried egg on our Burgers for years. That's what a B-B-Q is for to cook everything from eggs to shrimp.
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5-23-2010 @10:46PM Joe said... I can see cracking an egg right over some nice pulled pork and just letting it all ooze into the nooks and crannies of the pulled pork. Flip it over once and then onto the roll with some of the bbq sauce spread on both halves of the roll, YUM, YUM! Also as a substtute for corned beef & hash with the egg on top. Except no potato in the pork.

Always looking for new ideas in food! This sounds like a keeper!

And I love some ketchup on the egg sandwich! Gotta try the next one with some bbq sauce!
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5-26-2010 @9:12AM anita said... At El Charro restaurant in N.Royalton, Ohio they add a fried egg to beef enchiladas. It is heavenly. I don't care what else is on the menu, that's what I'm ordering.
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5-23-2010 @11:28PM vince said... That's typical Phillipino cooking, eggs aren't just for breakfast, they can be eaten anytime!
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5-23-2010 @11:49PM Janice Swing said... I own a BBQ restaurant and all I can say is UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Never............!
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5-23-2010 @11:56PM BartenderJay said... I have to have ketchup on my eggs, number one. Number two, I love bbq, and don't think I'll try this. Even though I love both.....I love the taste of bbq too much and want to keep it pure.
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5-24-2010 @12:17AM Tex said... I love a good bbq brisket sandwich w/ potato salad, bbq beans and cole slaw. Keep the egg away, period.
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5-24-2010 @12:53AM escem59 said... Eggs on barbecue.Ketchup on eggs.Mustard on pinto or lima beans with a thick slice of yellow onion on the side.Great stuff any way you like it.
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