Smokehouse specialties with a lively vibe
American barbecue fever has been sweeping the old-day bar street in Shanghai recently. After work, a mix of expats and locals gather at The Blind Pig on Nanyang Road for its smokehouse specialties, comfort food and home brewed craft beer.
With hanging screens playing sports all-day long, it is an ideal spot for a brotherhood gathering with big portion plates, a wide selection of bourbons, spirits and craft brews. The comfortable street-side dining room pairing with warm hospitality also attracts a few female meat-lovers for some no-pretense comfort fare.
The Blind Pig’s vibe is lively and relaxed and offers are available on a daily basis, including high-quality smoked meats such as succulent chicken, ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket, along with an array of house-made sauces and rubs.
The open window space features a relaxed vibe for after-work gathering.
I chose an unconventional smoked pork dumpling (68 yuan) to start. The local guotie-style pan-fried dumplings with Texas-style pulled pork mix inside gave it an interesting combination. It was fun to try but I’m not sure I will order next time. The potato skins (68 yuan) with bacon, chives and melted cheddar cheese was a more classic appetizer that complimented the barbeque items.
The main attraction is the BBQ section — smoked for hours, spiced to perfection, singed on the outside and fatty on the inside. Specialties like dry rub pork spare ribs and succulent smoked beef ribs share a menu with other barbecue choices like the pulled pork and Texas sausage.
Classic, no-frilled side dishes like creamy coleslaw, grilled mixed veggies and ranchero baked beans keep the focus where it belongs — on the meat.
I ordered both house specialties. The low temperature USA-imported slow-cooked smoked BBQ spare ribs (188 yuan) rubbed in Texas-style spices absolutely melted in the mouth, while the succulent smoked beef ribs (188 yuan) were also a state of perfection. It was drier with a rich, beefy flavor.
The Blind Pig offers American barbecue items.
The Blind Pig also prides itself on their buns with an extensive list of burgers and sandwiches on offer for customers.
The smoked beef-brisket sandwich (12-hour smoked beef brisket with creamy horseradish, crispy onions and special au-jus served on a toasted burger bun) and the pulled pork sandwich (smoked pulled pork with North Carolina vinegar-style BBQ sauce and coleslaw on a toasted brioche bun) are recommended for a simply satisfying meal.
Info
Opening hours: 10am-midnight (Sunday-Thursday); 10am-1am (Friday, Saturday)
Tel: 6256-2265
Address: 1/F, 132 Nanyang Rd
Average price: 150 yuan (US$21.7)
