Big Oak Drive-In and BBQ

August 5, 2014:

The Big Oak Drive-In and Bar-B-Q in Salter Path, North Carolina, is justly known for having outstanding shrimpburgers, and less well known for equally outstanding (but somewhat pricier) scallop burgers. They also have barbecue, and after years of focus on shrimp burgers and hush puppies, I tried a barbecue sandwich. It was not bad, and it reminded me how good chopped cabbage is on a barbecue sandwich. Not coleslaw, just raw cabbage. The texture and slightly bitter taste complement the pork, vinegar and pepper tastes. I usually add hamburger dill chips or sour pickle slices to barbecue sandwiches, but next time I should reserve some raw cabbage for sandwiches.The Big Oak also has a hot sauce that works very well with their shrimpburgers. It is the only sauce I’ve had that is made with habanero peppers that actually has a good flavor as well as heat.

Big Oak Drive-In

• Mary Janet Casserly: You really get around, John! Thanks for doing the heavy lifting so we don’t have to. On the other hand, I envy all these finds.