The Pik'n Pig

November is a special month in our home, and not just because of the arrival of Thanksgiving.  For our family, November is “birthday month”. 

In our family, we always try to make the birthdays special for everyone.  We don’t try to make the current year’s birthday more special than the birthday celebration of the previous year.  If we used that approach we’d eventually get to the point that the celebrations would become expensive, extravagant and terribly unmanageable.  Instead, we have always tried to make each birthday a little more meaningful and special than the other days around the birthday.
   

Louanne’s birthday is November 21.  Since her birthday this year landed on Sunday, we decided to treat Louanne to her special birthday dinner on Saturday night before her birthday.  The kids were told to not make any plans and we all looked forward to a great Saturday night together celebrating Louanne and trying to spoil her a little.
 

After some serious deliberation Louanne decided to throw her trust into a recommendation that I made.  I suggested we take a short road trip to a neat little BBQ restaurant that I had visited previously - The Pik’n Pig in Carthage, NC.  

I first learned about the Pik’n Pig from a friend of mine at work.  He and I sometimes travel together and when we're on the road we always try to find local places to eat.  We especially like to find local BBQ places to try.  On a recent trip to visit a client in the sandhills area of North Carolina, my friend researched a possible lunch place for us to stop and try on our trip.  After some digging and reading he suggested The Pik’n Pig.

You're always welcome at The Pik'n Pig

The Pik’n Pig is located just outside the small town of Carthage, NC, approximately 15 minutes west of Sanford.  After a trip around the traffic circle in downtown Carthage, and a short drive down Dowd Street, the sign of The Pik’n Pig points those seeking the hideaway in the direction of a little dirt drive.  After a short initial climb up the gravel drive, the visitor discovers that this BBQ gem is located in a most unique setting.  It sits on an air strip.  That’s right.  The Pik’n Pig BBQ restaurant sits on an airstrip in the Moore County countryside.  

After eating there and becoming familiar with The Pik’n Pig menu, food and setting, I knew the restaurant would be a hit with the whole family. So I made the suggestion to Louanne for us to go there for her birthday dinner. She took my suggestion, and we loaded up the family and headed down to Carthage for what we hoped would be a great evening of fun, food and family fellowship. 

We arrived at the restaurant at dusk.  Everyone was really impressed by the setting of a BBQ restaurant on an airstrip out in the country.  We parked and walked to the small wooden building, taking note of the smoke wafting through the parking lot.  The scent of smoking pork and chicken piqued our appetites and created more excitement in everyone than the scene of the restaurant.  

Guardian of the marigolds

We stepped into the lobby and discovered several other people had the same idea we did of a Saturday evening BBQ adventure.  After we claimed our spot on the waiting list, Hallie noticed two men leaving the building, each carrying a big white bag of Pik’n Pig goodies.  They were walking towards a small single-engine plane parked near the entrance to the restaurant, and Hallie wanted to know what they were up to.  We followed them outside and watched them climb into the plane.  During our trip down from Willow Spring we all talked about how fun it would be to see a plane come in or take off while we were there.  We were about to get our wish.  The pilot cranked up the engine, taxied to the far end of the small airstrip, paused for a few moments, then sped down the airstrip past us for a smooth take-off.  The small plane climbed slowly into the darkening sky and disappeared after a couple of minutes.  Instantly, we were all fans of The Pik’n Pig – even before taking the first bite of food. 

After a few more minutes of waiting in the lobby, we were seated at a table in the main dining room and sipping on sweet iced tea.  The dining room is decorated with in a "country/aviation" theme.  There are small model planes hanging from the ceiling, old signage and lights.  There is also a mock old post office decorating one wall.  The restaurant has a nice laid back atmosphere that is accentuated by a very accommodating wait staff.  Everyone at The Pik’n Pig makes you feel welcome.

Shortly after our drinks came we all ordered and didn’t have to wait long for our food.  Louanne, the birthday girl, ordered the pulled pork.  Reese and Hallie had the same while Cameron and I decided to try the ribs.  I also added a piece of chicken to my order.  All of The Pik’n Pig meats are smoked and are full of flavor.  The pulled pork and chicken are both very tender and juicy, and the seasoning used on the meats adds so much great flavor and spice to the meat.  The ribs were cooked perfectly and were “pull off the bone” quality – not too tender and perfectly flavored.  Each dinner entrée comes with two vegetables, and on this occasion our choices ranged from mashed potatoes with gravy to green beans to fries.  Hushpuppies or cornbread finish off the plates, and those are complemented with homemade jalapeno butter.  Everything we had for dinner was fantastic and everyone was pleased with their selections.  

Reese, Hallie and Cameron find the perfect seat

As good as the food is at The Pik’n Pig, their homemade desserts are what many folks brag about.  So even though we were all full after an awesome dinner, we decided to try a couple of the homemade desserts.  After careful consideration we decided to split one piece of Coca-Cola cake and another chocolate cake selection.  By far, the Coca-Cola cake was everyone’s favorite.  It is a simple sheet chocolate cake with one layer of chocolate frosting, but the cake is served warm and it is very moist and rich.  That cake was very delicious and the perfect complement to a great BBQ dinner.  

Me and my Birthday Beauty

On the drive home everyone agreed that The Pik’n Pig is worth a road trip, and we all had a great time.  We should have a great time together – we were out to celebrate an awesome lady who gives all she has to each of us.  Louanne is a wonderful bride, mother and beauty who gives selflessly to everyone, every minute of every day.  She showers her family with grace and care, and we are blessed by her love for us.  I tell her often that she is the living example for me of God’s grace, mercy and presence in my life.  It is only by God’s grace and mercy that I am able to spend my life with such an amazing lady. 

This evening we all had fun trying to give back a little to someone who has given us so much.  Even though the kids and I didn’t give Louanne the full measure of honor that she so richly deserves, we had an awesome beginning to yet another great birthday celebration.  At a BBQ place.  On the edge of an airstrip.  In small town North Carolina.