Smokee Dee's Mahogany Red BBQ Sauce Reivew

Smokee Dee's Mahogany Red BBQ Sauce

Smokee Dee and I chat on FaceBook, and he was telling me that he had his BBQ sauce ready to bottle and had made up a basic label and wanted some feedback as his sauce hits the market. Since I review a lot of barbecue sauces and call it the way I see it, he said he'd send a bottle and see what we think around here.

The bottle of barbecue sauce came in safe and sound (packing glass can be tricky). The dark textured looking label was cool looking, although I don't know if Smokee is going to stick with that one or not. I shook the sauce around a little in the bottle, and it looked and felt like a North Carolina style sauce, although Smokee hails from Michigan.

 Chicken Strips Sauced up with Smokee Dee's BBQ Sauce

We hit the red meat hard this week, so I thought I'd do some boneless skinless chicken (easy to grill and healthy). With small pieces of chicken, I sauce them before grilling. With larger cuts of chicken or other meats, then I grill until close done and then add sauce for the last 10 to 15 minutes. Otherwise the sugars in the sauce may burn and not look or taste good.

Smokee had told me that he likes his barbecue sauce best on ribs or chicken, so I test drove one on his list. It helps to know what the sauce maker usually does with his sauce. I play around with loads of grill ideas, but I like to test grill on what the barbecue person had in mind.

When I poured on Smokee Dee's Mahogany Red, it was thicker than I'd thought. It's not thick like Texas style BBQ sauce, but it's not as thin as our North Carlina sauce. I'd say it hits right between those styles on thickness.

 

Grilling Chicken with Smokee Dee's BBQ Sauce

I ran the chicken over charcoal. It's more work, but I do love that charcoal grilled flavor. I grew up on that, so it always reminds me of family and fun.

The chicken was smelling great. It has a sweet smell but some hints of heat. It's hard to tell for sure, so that's why I always grill for my reviews. The real proof is in how a sauce grills up.

 Chicken Hot Off the Grill with Smokee Dee's

The chicken turned out great. Smokee Dee's does have a rich, sweet flavor just like I picked up when I was grilling. There's some heat there (you can see the pepper seeds in the sauce), but it was in the mild to medium range, so I would not hesitate to serve Smokee's barbecue sauce to a mix of family and friends. I'm a heat lover, but others are not. So, I test drive first and grill with a nice balanced sauce like Smokee's or else do two batches and make sure people know which bowl or plate is the tongue burner.

Smokee did tell me that his barbecue sauce is good with a zippy rub. But, I don't mix flavors on a test grill. I could see using various rubs (and I have a lot of those) to adjust as far as heat.

My conclusion on Smokee Dee's Mahogany Red is thumbs up for a yummy barbecue sauce that could be used for any occasion or group. It was really good on the chicken, and I could picture the flavor on ribs and think that would rock. It's thick enough to get that nice sticky style for the chicken or for the ribs, and I have the sticky fingers to prove it.

Nice job Smokee and all the best with your new sauce. People need to try out small batch sauces to see what they are missing out on. You can't get these kinds of comlex flavors in the mass produced BBQ sauces in the store. Smokee Dee is on Facebook, and I'll check and see if there are other ways to get in touch and try out his barbecue sauce.

Jerry's Barbecue Chicken at Cleveland, NC Spring Festival

Around these parts, when someone brings up barbecue chicken, everyone thinks of Jerry. It's the best ever barbecue chicken.

Sadly, Jerry does not have a restaurant. Or, maybe that's a good thing. That makes it extra special when you see a sign go up around town that a group is having Jerry's BBQ Chicken. It's one of those deals where you go home and mark it on the calendar. You don't want to miss out. And, you don't want to go late and chance that they sell out before you get there.

Basically, you just have to ask around in Cleveland, Woodleaf, or Scotch Irish in western Rowan County, NC. Folks know Jerry and can tell you how to get up with him about chicken barbecue.


Jerry had his big smoker out at the Cleveland Spring Festival today. He was cooking up his delicious chicken as well as hamburgers and hot dogs.


This is Jerry! Not only is he one heck of a chicken smoker, he's a really funny guy. I've worked once with a church chicken fundraiser where Jerry was the chef. It wasn't even like work with Jerry there. He honestly doesn't know a stranger, and he can get everyone going and having fun doing it.

A lot of the chicken dinners are for charity. Instead of having people who really don't know how to grill or smoke wing it, groups will hire Jerry to do the chicken. Then, it's done right and lots of people come out.

I have to give a shout out, because Jerry made chicken for Cleveland Methodist Church. The roof was leaking and wrecking the floors and furniture. It was pretty desperate and a small congregation. Jerry cooked, and we all helped. Then, more volunteers form various churches came out and helped put on a new roof. That's one thing I can say for a small town. People will pitch in when needed.


This is Jerry's brother who was working hard on festival day. I think he must be the older brother. He's a lot more serious than Jerry. Very nice guy. Just not into silliness or shenanigans. So, hi Steven! And, that's some great chicken you guys smoke up. Yummy hot dogs and burgers too.