Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party @ Govt Ctr

BBQ Beach Party - hosted by the Phantom Gourmet
Govt Center - Last weekend
http://bbq.phantomgourmet.com/SD/home.aspx

Last weekend Government Center was enclosed in a smokey, delicious circle filled with BBQ stands from around the world.  Australia, Texas, good ol' Boston.  Booths of Roasted Corn and Fried dough.  Dessert stations like Wholly Cannoli and Wicked Whoopies.  You basically have to be rolled out of there, Violet Beuregarde style.

If you got there right at 12pm, which we didn't, you wouldn't have had to wait in any lines.  You could walk right up to the services of your choice and put down your money in exchange for some BBQ.  On top of the $10 entry fee, the prices were not too bad at the stands, especially if you shared. 

Aussom Aussie pork/shrimp

For example, Iesha and I opted to try some Aussom Aussie BBQ because their shrimp skewers looked very tempting.  I was eyeing the pulled pork and there happened to be a shrimp/pork combo meal for $10.  Love the economy style meal. 





Dave Andleman being fed by Paul MacKay



The pork was really good and flavorful. And the shrimp was spicy and full of grill flavors. But as a non-BBQ expert, I had to wonder what made this award-winning faire? Not because I wanted to complain, but because I am (still) genuinely curious. What I should have done was walked right over to Paul MacKay, while he was shmoozing with Dave Andleman, and asked him, "Why are you the best?" If any of you readers are BBQ experts, fill a blogger in! 

Corn on the cob is probably a staple that everyone thinks about at cookouts.  I think there is no greater snack in life than corn on the cob.  It is one of my all time favorite inventions.  Yup.  So yes, I am going to be MORE than willing to cough up $3 for an ear.  I was tempted to get 2, to keep my other hand from getting jealous.  The Roasted Corn stand was simple and to the point.  Give 'em the cash and they give you an ear wrapped in tinfoil.  Thank you very much.

 

After our BBQ and corn feasts, we couldn't even think about trying another savory, smokey thing.  We had to move on to the dessert area.  And move we did.  More like floated...

 

We got a couple Whoppies from Wicked Whoopies, as you may have heard of from Phantom Gourmet.  They're on the show all the time.  We ordered a Classic, a Peanut butter and a Red Velvet. Then we went next door to the Wholly Cannoli stand and got a Chocolate Chip and a Dynamite Stick.  We're glutton's for punishment.

After a tall Bud Light can and a dixie cup of Barefoot Moscato totaling $12, it was time to go.  We are glad we went (did I mention our tickets were free?), but we did spend a bit more than we'd hoped.  However, Phantom Gourmet does put on good events and we'd definitely go to another one.