Benton Harbor, MI BBQ

I had lunch to today at Piggin' N' Grinnin' in Benton Harbor, MI today. Spent a few minutes talking to Charlie the owner who I have met before at the State of Michigan BBQ Championship in Grand Rapids.

Ordered a combo plate which is choice of 2 meats. I chose the brisket
and pulled pork. The pulled pork was very good with a nice tangy
Eastern North Carolina BBQ sauce on the side. The brisket was a little
dry, but still tender. My dining companion had some ribs which were
outstanding in flavor. They were a tad too tender for competition ribs
but for commercial BBQ they were dead on good. Good baked beans,
average potato salad. My companions had some cole slaw which they said
was great. Meats were served unsauced with sauce on the table, ribs were glazed.




The waitress stopped over and asked how everything was I told her the
ribs were excellent, the pulled pork was very good, but the brisket
was a little dry. She came back with three freshly cut slices and the
brisket became outstanding. Even my BBQ philistine companions eye's
opened wide when they saw and tasted the difference.

I plan to go back tomorrow and get some ribs, brisket, and cole slaw.

Piggin' N' Grinin'
136 Territorial Rd
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(269)934-PORK
(269)934-7675

Bruce wrote:but the brisket was a little dry. She came back with three freshly cut slices and the brisket became outstanding.

It was wonderful the waitress was willing to repair your opinion of the brisket. If they hadn't, then likely you would never have ordered the brisket again, right? I appreciate the willingness to repair, I just don't understand (ok, there are economies here, I realize that) why offer less-than-best and perhaps turn off a potential repeat customer?

Yourpalwill and I in KC received a plate of burnt ends, where most of the meat was from the interior. If it had not been the intervention of some other customers to show us what burnt ends should be like, then we would have left with a less than stellar opinion. Our new friends were regular customers who were in the know, whereas we were strangers they seemingly estimated didn't know better.

I think it is a mistake to serve less than your best.

I had lunch to today at Piggin' N' Grinnin' in Benton Harbor, MI today.

I tried the smoked turkey sandwich and was stunned at the flavor. This was the best smoked turkey I have ever eaten. In fact I would venture to say this was the non-fried turkey I have haver had. Tender, moist, thick slices of breast meat, on a very average bun. A little creativity with the bread would be nice if this wasn't a BBQ place.

If you are in the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area and want a simple, quick, casual, and especially good meal Piggin' N' Grinnin' is well worth trying.

i just emailed this place to see if they are still open ? does anyone know

Web site is up >> http://www.piggin-n-grinnin.com/
Call em' >> (269)934-PORK
Cool #

charlie emailed me back & said buisness has been ok &.
i will be making a trip soon

We stopped by in October on our way back to Illinois, please was pretty good, not great but above average.

It has been a couple of years since I have eaten there.When I did my impression was like a few other places the pulled pork was just texture for Bar B Que sauce.

I went to their website and it appears they were able to snag one of those Hard-To-Get Carson Pire Scott pig statues. I was lucky to get one when they changed their decor.
I hope to try them out, soon.

My pictures and recollections are over a year old but hopefully they'll be of some use.

Lark & Son's, on Main Street in Benton Harbor, has the look, that's for sure.





Unfortunately nothing in our combination plate really stood out. That barbeque bologna sandwich was pretty tasty though.



Piggin' N' Grinnin', in a bland new building in downtown Benton Harbor, doesn't appear promising at all.



Their pork was quite good, with excellent but subtle smoke flavor, but a tad dry. Sauce came on the side, even without request.



We tried some brisket which was almost inedibly dry and crumbly. Ribs, on the other hand, were nice and juicy but with even more subtle smoke.



I was reasonably impressed with P'N'G but I think turnover might be a problem. Try to order what's freshest. I'd consider it worth a detour but not a special trip.

Lark & Son's Barbecue
440 W Main St
Benton Harbor MI
269-926-9833

Piggin' N' Grinnin'
136 Territorial Rd
Benton Harbor MI
269-934-7675

wanted to go here yesterday but i was to late ,got to benton harbor about 620 pm & they close at 6pm

i made it by here today & had a great meal & service
had spare ribs corn bread muffin & beans liked them all
ribs where a little overdone but tender &tasty

i will be back forsure for more

Lark & Son's Barbecue
440 W Main St
Benton Harbor MI
269-926-9833

I ate at Lark & Son's a few years ago. I've also driven by there when they are getting the fires in the pits ready. I watched them put a can of charcoal lighter fluid on it. It was so heavy you could smell the fluid in the smoke from a block away. When i ate there I burped lighter fluid for 2 days.