The Pig Pit BBQ
Hmmm... do we smell a BBQ smackdown?
While driving around Cohoes , I couldn't help but giggle at this "Pig Pit vs. Dinosaurs: Bring it on!" sign. Clearly I had to check that out.
So, my look at Cohoes continues with, The Pig Pit.
The last time I checked out Pig Pit BBQ, it was still in a tiny little pink building on Ontario Street in Cohoes. Now it's in expanded digs - a big old barn off 787 that's decorated with neon pink pig signs and it screams Texan barbecue.
Dave Frazier, aka Tex, started the business back in 2004. He and his family moved to the area from Texas in the early '90s and he's been cooking his Texan barbecue in the area since then. But it wasn't until 2004 that he opened his own joint to serve his slow-smoked meats. He's been running his catering company, Tex's Longhorn Catering Company, for even longer.
The interior décor goes crazy with the pig theme, but somehow, it works without being overly cheesy. All sorts of pig decorations abound, from strands of pig-shaped lights to stuffed pigs and more. There are even Pig Pit shirts for sale if you'd really like to show your bbq pride.
Frazier takes his business seriously - not only was he manning the counter the day I stopped in, but he also made sure to go around and check on each table to make sure everything was acceptable. And for a place that's mainly counter-service, I found that kind of remarkable.
But really, the main part of any bbq joint is the food, right? And Pig Pit's is the real deal. I was, unfortunately, still stuffed from breakfast, but couldn't pass up a taste.
A basket with ¼ racks of ribs, sweet potato fries and coleslaw for $6.95 made the perfect snack for two. The ribs are hickory smoked, St. Louis cut - I think I liked them better than the ones from my beloved Cap Q. I'll have to go back to give the pulled pork a shot - I've heard great things about the $5.95 pulled pork sandwiches.
PP also serves several Tex-Mex items, including burritos, enchiladas, tamale pie and a few others. In addition to the fried chicken, pulled pork, catfish, ribs and other barbecue delights, the menu item that really caught my eye was something called Tex's Maybe Soup or Stew. The menu description? "Only available if we got around to making something."
Oh and as several AOA readers pointed out , Pig Pit also has fried pickles, described as "crispy garlic dill pickle spears battered and deep-fried and served with a cream bbq sauce." Of course, if that's not enough fried goodness for you, there's also the green bean fries, which are green beans that have been onion-battered and fried crispy.
Bonus: They do lunch deliveries and family-sized picnic basket meals.
Find It
Pig Pit BBQ
1 Niver St. (Right off 787)
Cohoes , NY 12047
253-2323
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Comments
I've been by the Pig Pit dozens of times without even thinking of stopping there -- until they put up the "Bring It On" sign and now this review. Now I've got to check the place out!
... said CJ on Aug 19, 2010 at 2:23 PM | link
I'm reserving judgement until I've tried Dinosaur, but I certainly am a big Pit Pit fan. From what Dinosaur fans tell me, it's about an atmosphere, not food, and the BBQ is fairly run of the mill, and that Pit's is better. But, I'll give it a shot, nonetheless. I just hope they don't call chicken BBQ. That's an oxymoron. lol
... said James on Aug 19, 2010 at 2:33 PM | link
I stop there for lunch about once every two weeks...I could definitely do it more often but the waist line requests that I don't. While I've not been over impressed with the Mex part the Tex is definitely worth it! I'm a huge fan of the brisket!
... said J_B on Aug 19, 2010 at 2:45 PM | link
The only decent BBQ in upstate New York is found in Oneonta, NY. And it's worth the drive.
... said Jiminy on Aug 19, 2010 at 2:51 PM | link
I really like Pig Pit. I like how you can get any of their BBQ "in a blanket" with the various additions (hot sauce, cheese, coleslaw, fries). Everything is relatively inexpensive and tastes awesome. Definitely the among best BBQ within the capital region.
... said derryX on Aug 19, 2010 at 3:30 PM | link
Yay for pig pit! Watch out for the "Pig Pit Coma" though! I had a pulled pork sandwich over lunch one day, and was out of commission the rest of the afternoon!
... said Kelly Kramer on Aug 19, 2010 at 11:20 PM | link
I Love the Pit!!!!!
They have a fantastic Fish Po'Boy and it tastes even better with their Pickle sauce
... said Lwoodbluz on Aug 20, 2010 at 7:18 AM | link
There's a guy who sells barbecue outside of the indoor farmers' market on Railroad Ave. Ribs, pulled pork, and chicken, all Carolina style, fresh out of the smoker on wheels he's got. I've been there a few times, and it's far and away the best pulled pork I've ever had. I'm as big a Capital Q's loyalist as anyone, but the pulled pork at this little stand is better.
... said Tom on Aug 20, 2010 at 9:13 AM | link
I've heard of The Pig Pit, but after reading this article and seeing the pics, I might actually make the trip over there! Thanks for the tip!
... said Kerosena on Aug 20, 2010 at 12:53 PM | link
The Pig Pit is fantastic! They have the best lunch cart at the Capital! I always look forward to there Santa Fe (rice topped with the most amazing chili, BBQ pulled pork or chix, shredded cheese, sour cream...) it's to die for. The owner and his sweet daughter work the cart. They are so pleasant and really personable. The best around!!!
... said Chris on Aug 23, 2010 at 2:47 PM | link