Barbecue and bourbon at new smokehouse The Blind Pig

What is it? The same team behind popular sports bar Big Bamboo and Mexican restaurant Pistolera is now focusing on a brand new (and extremely promising) concept – barbecue and bourbon. The smokehouse officially opened in late spring, taking over the former Pistolera on Laowai Jie. It is also the first and only branch of its brand in the city.

The Blind Pig's decor can be described as rustic Americana with its old wood walls, hardwood floors and bench seating resembling many smokehouse barbecue eateries you can find in the USA. When the weather allows it, diners can go al fresco and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Westernised pedestrian street and its surrounds.

What's on the menu? It's safe to say that they take their bourbon very seriously here. Be blown away by the splendid array of drinks on the shelves as the bar offers just short of a hundred different kinds of bourbons and whiskeys. The food menu boasts a wide variety including salads, burgers, sandwiches, and of course, barbecued meats – and lots of them. Headed-up by a Mexican chef, expect loads of Tex-Mex flavours in these dishes.

The Chicken Lollipops, served with blue cheese or ranch (55RMB), are a great starter, and a nice sneak peek into the grilling expertise of the chefs here. The plump, juicy drummettes dunked in the creamy sauces are a pleasure to bite into.

The Pig & The Cow Burger (88RMB) sits pretty with a generous side of hand-cut fries. You can also choose to have sweet potato fries or salad as side. Find a generous amount of smoked bacon, melted gouda cheese, jalapeño peppers, crispy onions, rocket, tomatoes and pickles sandwiched between the two burger buns, topped off with maple candied bacon dijon dressing and special bourbon BBQ sauce. Yum!

For meat mains, there's BBQ Pork Ribs (168RMB) with your choice of dry rub, bourbon BBQ sauce or a blueberry chipotle BBQ sauce glaze - you can also opt for beef instead of pork for 188RMB. For those who fancy more than just one meat type, make your own mix with The Blind Pig's Succulent Meat Combo, where you can make a mix from a quarter chicken, pork ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and pork belly. A two meats, two sides combo runs you 188RMB; three meats three sides combo for 268RMB and a four by four family feast is 348RMB. 

The Blind Pig's sauce game is strong: their four specialty homemade sauces (North Caroline Vinegar BBQ, Bourbon BBQ, XXX BBQ, Blueberry Chipotle BBQ) taste absolutely divine. These dips are so popular among customers that the smokehouse is planning on making small takeaway sauce bottles just to satisfy the crowd (for free by the way) – score!

From mac and cheese (28RMB) to creamy coleslaw (18RMB) and cornbread (18RMB), this place offers a list of exciting sides. Every barbecue main comes with two sides of your choice, so take your pick. No barbecue is ever complete without a side or two (or three).

We say Barbecue time is just around the corner, so if you're already craving for some nicely charred meats, consider kicking off the prime grilling season with The Blind Pig instead of firing up those coals.

'First looks' are initial sneak peeks at a new venue. Unlike reviews, which are strictly anonymous and paid for by Time Out, 'first looks' may be based on press trips or other non-anonymous visits.

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