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Community Corner

Local Smoke BBQ Ready For Weekend At Monmouth Park

The BBQ contest at Monmouth Park Racetrack doesn't faze Local Smoke BBQ, as they prepare to defend their People's Choice recognition.

With this weekend signaling the 2011 at , I decided to take a ride and visit Local Smoke BBQ in Neptune City a few days before the event and see how they are preparing for the upcoming BBQ war.

Splitting time between this location and the Cookstown eatery, a very confident Eric Keating was preparing to unleash his flavorful sauces on the Neptune City neighborhood.

Winning the People’s Choice Best Pit Master award last year, Local Smoke BBQ’s Keating (who shares ownership in the company with Steve and Loren Raab) stated, “We are shooting again for that award. We are known for our sweet BBQ. At this type of event, we are more concentrated on serving the public.”

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When asked about the contest aspect of the event, Keating replied, “We may give the judges more of what they’re looking for, which is a spicier product.” Either way, Keating made it clear that their interest lies in pleasing the public.

“We were very happy with the selling of our product last year,” continued Keating. “Everyone kept coming back for more.”

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Local Smoke BBQ finished in first place at competitions in Seaside Heights and Wildwood, as well as finishing third at a Mount Holly event. Local Smoke came in first place (out of 488 contestants) for their ribs at the American Royal in Kansas City. In addition, Local Smoke won first place honors for their brisket at the National BBQ Festival in Georgia.

All of these festivals are sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. “You are judged on appearance, taste and tenderness,” Keating informed me.

Local Smoke BBQ started out in 2007 under the name of Fat Angel BBQ entering contests throughout the Northeast, walking away with a Rookie Of The Year recognition. They enjoyed a very lucrative catering business for 3 years before opening up their two locations.

With Steven Raab referred to by Keating as the head cook, it was actually Loren’s uncle, Rich Decker, who introduced the three partners to the world of BBQ competition. The rest is history for these Normandy Beach (Keating) and Brielle (Steve and Loren Raab) residents.

At Monmouth Park, Local Smoke is planning on offering ribs, brisket, pork, jalapeno poppers, cole slaw, beans and hot dogs. Of course, they will also have soda and water available. Having eaten at their Neptune City location numerous times, all I can say is that your taste buds are in for a treat. In addition, their cornbread is out-of-this-world!

“We make our own dry rubs and sauces,” added Keating. Utilizing two main sauces, these are Local Smoke Carolina and Local Smoke Original. The Carolina variety comes with their slow-smoked pulled pork, while the Original flavor is used with the ribs, chicken and brisket.

Visit www.localsmokebbq.com for more information. “My life is immersed in BBQ,” concluded Keating.  

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