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 Posted - 07/15/2007 : 16:22:02
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Saw several people talking about visits to the Knoxville area only to be disappointed by chain stores like Buddys and Calhouns. If you are ever in Knoxville, try out M&M's on Middlebrook Drive. Here's a review I wrote on a blog last year:
When you hear of a place named M & M Catering, you probably envision linen napkins, white table cloths, and a row of stainless steel chaffing dishes.
Nope. Try one of those cellophane wrapped packets of plastic wear and napkins.
M & M Catering is a very unassuming place. It is located in the parking lot of a Laundromat in a non-descript cinder block shack. To the left are more than a half dozen large smokers (ummm that is barbecue smokers, not obese cigarette smokers). A farm of maybe a dozen large igloo coolers sit to the right, full of marinating chicken, beef, and pork butts. It is carry out service only, it isn’t open all year around, and it’s only open on Thursdays through Sundays.
Sound questionable? Hell no! Any bbq joint can have a cute pig mascot, sell nifty t-shirts with their slogan on it, and have corporate advertising. The BEST barbecue is found at places just like M & M Catering.
The smell is unmistakable as you walk up to the line to place your order. (They have a neat intercom system for when the cashier needs something. She slides the window open and shouts out to her two co-workers.) Their posted menu is simple but perfect. You can click on the link, but it is your standard bbq type menu of pulled pork sandwiches, chicken dinners, beef brisket, and sides.
There are plenty of signs giving you tips on how to order (slaw/sauce on side or top, etc) so even first timers like us felt like regulars. Alexis and I placed our order for large pulled pork sandwiches and a couple of cokes.
The "kitchen"...click for pics: http://reviewsbyswibirun.blogspot.com/2006/09/m-m-catering.html
While we stood on the gravel waiting to hear our order called out, I watched the cook load up the coal tray on one of the smokers. I have to admit that I was envious of his large smokers compared to my Brinkman’s Smoke N Pit Pro, but Alexis reassured me that it’s not the size of your smoker it’s how you use it! (ha ha)
In just a few minutes we had our order and as soon as we got back to the car, we dove straight into the food. I opened the Styrofoam box to see a huge mess (this is a good thing) of pork butt, sauce and slaw on both halves of the bun. I could tell by the flawless smoke ring, the bits of bark (charred outside of the pork), and moist chunks of pulled (not chopped) meat that they knew what they are doing.
“How am I going to eat this?” Alexis asked
“Like this!” I said, as I grabbed both halves, crammed them together, and handed it to her.
I forget what happened after that because I had an out of body experience. It must have been because after one bite, I was in heaven. The meat was perfectly smoked, giving it an exceptional balance of texture, moisture, and flavor. My taste buds were rocked by the hot bbq sauce (like eastern NC sauce) and the cole slaw gave it a nice finish. Alexis had the sweet bbq sauce, which was also good but more of a sweet Memphis style sauce.
How good was it? It was the absolute BEST commercially prepared barbecue I have ever had. It was as good as the bbq from the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department’s annual “pig picking” (recipe) fund raiser that taught me what true bbq was as a kid on my grandparents’ North Carolina tobacco farm. It was also as good as the best pork butt that I have smoked. These guys have it dialed in. I can’t wait to try everything else there!
So if you are ever in Knoxville or if you are within driving distance and want to have the best pulled pork in town, stop by M & M Catering!
Chris
Knoxville, TN |
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Posted - 07/17/2007 : 16:05:01
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Chris- will definitely check it out next time we're in the area, which will be next year sometime. My wife and I were in Maryville last fall and absolutely fell in love w/ the area  - This is where we're planning to retire to in the next 3-5 yrs. You're right about Buddy's- a big disappointment  |
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Posted - 07/18/2007 : 07:27:01
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ADDRESS ?? LOCATION?? NEXT TO LAUNDROMAT... LEAVES A LOT TO THE IMAGINATION .. HOW WE GOING TO GET TO MECCA, WITH NO ADDRESS
love ya ...billy |
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Posted - 07/18/2007 : 07:27:50
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I went to school at the University of Tennessee and still visit Knoxville each year for football games. I'll definitely have to check them out. I don't think they were open back when I was in school there. Thanks for the advice!
Bullhogs BBQ
Stumps GF223
Hendersonville, TN
"Never grab a pig by the horns!"
www.bullhogsbbq.com |
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hotroda
Starting Member
USA
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Posted - 07/18/2007 : 12:21:31
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Is this the place?
http://www.m-mcatering.com/
Google is your friend.
WarBamalicious cooking team
Roll Tide!
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Posted - 07/18/2007 : 12:57:07
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Yep, that is the place.
NP
Head Cook
Little Vaughn's Q-Shack |
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Posted - 07/18/2007 : 16:24:40
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Yes BBQ Bama, that is the place! On another update, they are open year round now.
Chris
Knoxville, TN |
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Tami Newsom
Starting Member
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2008 : 22:56:27
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YES, YES, YES!!!! Indeed this is fantastic BBQ. I grew up in Memphis and am a self-proclaimed BBQ snob. I won't eat anything else in Knoxville but M & M. You must know that they have moved down the street (West a few blocks) to a former restaurant (former Catinellas). It still is take out only but they now have a huge kitchen with real indoor refrigeration. This place is BBQ heaven!
Tami |
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SuzanneQ
Starting Member
USA
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Posted - 03/04/2009 : 08:57:43
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| Just thought y'all might want to know that M & M has moved. They're now down the road a little further west on Middlebrook, near Chert Pit Road. Their new address is 1039 Summerwood. If you know where Catinella's restaurant used to be, it's that same building. |
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Big Dude
Administrator
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Posted - 03/04/2009 : 09:40:46
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Thanks for posting that, I'll sure give em a try next time I visit the big city
East Tennessee = Almost Heaven, South
Non Competitor, "Real Pitmaster" wanabee
Klose Offset
Weber one step
Ducane gasser
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Knoxville, TN - M&M Catering
