Welcome to Meathead’s ruminations, my random thoughts, musings, and occasional rants on barbecue, food, and the people who make it great. This is where I step away from the recipes and reviews to share whatever’s on my mind, whether it’s a story from the road, a tip of the hat to a friend, or a bone to pick with how the food world gets things wrong.
Some of these are personal, like my tribute to the late BBQ legend Mike Mills. Others are a little feistier, like my open letter to Slate’s Brian Palmer, who got it very wrong. You’ll also find my thoughts on meat labels, USDA cooking temps, food media, and cooking trends. Pull up a chair and dig in.
