Enlarge Roast pork and vermicelli at Ben Thanh was served on the New South BBQ Tour.

Posted: November 8th, 2009 Meaghan Clark

Photo by James Willamor. Click here for more of Willamor's photos

Historian Tom Hanchett is a well-traveled man. On Friday, Nov. 6, Hanchett took a group of people around the world and around Charlotte on the fourth annual New South BBQ Tour.

Comprised of foodies, conventioneers and couples on a date night, the group of 50 or so people boarded a bus outside of the Levine Museum and headed to the east side of town to discover great BBQ from everywhere but North Carolina.

Traveling along Central Avenue, Hanchett talked about the ethnic families and entrepreneurs who have made their home in Plaza Midwood and East Charlotte. Within minutes, the bus pulled into the parking lot of a little strip mall with restaurants and stores representing Vietnam, the Middle East and El Salvador. The group split in two, heading into Ben Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant and El Pulgarcito de American.

Owner Henry Chirinos, a native Salvadorian, has been part of the BBQ tour from the very beginning and had tables set up for the tour guests. A shy man, Chirinos asked Hanchett to explain the food we were about to eat. A well-cooked papusa filled with pork and cheese, and a small helping of curtido (pickled veggies) was served quickly. Tasty, hot, and very satisfying, this Salvadorian version of barbecue was a huge hit with both crowds.

Roberta and George Sperry enjoyed the food at El Pulgarcito, but also liked the fact that it was tasty and mild enough that their children might enjoy it too. True foodies, the Sperrys were thrilled to have a night out together exploring Charlotte which included great food. Librarian Diane Kastelic from Kenosha, Wisc., was happy to discover the tour and the Levine Museum.

Bun Thit Nuong from Ben Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant was served a refreshing glass of lemonade. The charbroiled pork and vermicelli seasoned with mint was also a hit. Owner Mai Duong and her brother were gracious hosts to all.

Back on the bus, the next stop was on North Sharon Amity to pick up a box of takeout Jerk Chicken with rice and peas, courtesy of A Taste of the Caribbean Restaurant. Serving traditional Caribbean foods such as curry goat, jerk chicken and roti, this little gem is housed in another tiny strip mall neighboring an Ethiopian grocery.

The final stop on the tour landed the group at the doors of Cocina Latina, on Albermarle Road. A barbacoa taco filled with lamb and an al pastor taco with delicious pork was quickly dished out. Tamerindo, Mandarina and Toronja Mexican soft drinks were served with the meal, leaving all participants stuffed.

As Hanchett so eloquently stated, it was time for everyone to waddle back to the bus. A happy crew headed back to the museum having made new friends and discovered new versions of tasty BBQ.

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