The Pedalin' Pig — Restaurant in Seven Devils

If you find yourself anywhere near the Banner Elk, NC area, 'The Pedalin' Pig' should definitely be on your itinerary. The restaurant is conveniently located and offers plenty of parking for it's customers. We could smell the various items in the smoker as we drove by on NC 105 and to put it simply, it smelled awesome!

Once inside, we were promptly greeted and seated by a friendly staff. I started things off with an order of jalapeno poppers, which were very good, and ordered a three (3) meat platter (brisket, pulled pork, & smoked turkey) with bbq cole slaw and a baked sweet potato as my meal. Although nothing on this platter was disappointing, the smoked turkey and the bbq cole slaw were definitely the stars. I'd never had bbq cole slaw before, but will be ordering it here on future visits. The smoked turkey was simply the best flavored turkey I've ever tasted. Moist and flavorful ... second to none! I could make a meal of just the smoked turkey and the bbq cole slaw and be extremely satisfied. Tried to order bread pudding for dessert, but was informed that they were out. Although disappointed about the bread pudding, I was otherwise quite satisfied with everything else during this visit.

(UPDATE: Mar 17, 2019) My original review of the Pedalin' Pig in 2018 gave the restaurant the maximum five (5) star rating, but today I've deducted one (1) of those stars after today's experience there, and gave serous thought to deducting two (2) stars. The deduction is not due to the quality and flavor of the food, but rather as a direct result of the conduct & attitude of a server ... Shirley.

I met up with some friends who had eaten at the Pedalin' Pig a few days back and as fate would have it, Shirley was their server that day. They had attempted to order the bread pudding during that visit and were informed that they were out. After commenting about that being a regular occurrence, Shirley purportedly remarked "... if I (she) were in charge they would make bread pudding daily" and they had told me about her comment the day of their visit. Well, as luck would have it on St. Patrick's Day, we get Shirley as our server. While placing our orders, my buddy once again asks if they have the bread pudding, to which I hear the exact same comment come direct from Shirley's lips, that "If I (she) were in charge they'd make bread pudding every day, but I'm not in charge." While this may be her opinion, it would appear that it is regularly shared with customers that Shirley thinks she should be running things there and I find this VERY unprofessional on her part. She also gives off this very pushy attitude is the only way I can explain it.

And then there was something additional that I personally find to be offensive. While eating, I expect a server to return to the table and check to see if anyone needs anything, including another beverage or refill. This is server 101. What I do not want is anyone picking up my beverage of choice and shaking the bottle to see if it's empty without asking me first! If you want/need to know if I want another beverage or refill, then ask me, period. Although Shirley didn't actually place her fingers onto the bottle top grooves, she was awfully dang close to them! And then there's the unnecessary shaking of a carbonated beverage. Servers, ask first! Do not assume it is OK.

For the above stated reasons, IF I return to the Pedlin' Pig in the future, I will make sure that I am not seated in Shirley's section.

And to the owner(s), if you're not going to make an item available to your customers to order, in this case the bread pudding, then please remove it...

Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey of meaty magnificence at The Pedalin' Pig BBQ, where flavor knows no bounds, laughter is served in heaping portions, and hush puppies take you on a time-traveling escapade!

From the very first bite, it became evident that the meat at The Pedalin' Pig BBQ is a gift from the culinary gods themselves. Tender, succulent, and bursting with smoky goodness, their meat offerings were simply a carnivorous dream come true. I could practically hear the sizzle and taste the tantalizing aromas with each heavenly morsel.

Now let's talk about the sauce - oh, sweet saucy goodness! The Pedalin' Pig BBQ has perfected the art of saucing, as if they made a pact with a flavor wizard. Their sauce had just the right balance of tanginess, sweetness, and a touch of smokiness, transforming each bite into a lip-smacking extravaganza. Trust me, you'll want to bottle it up and take it home for daily saucy indulgences.

But let's not forget the atmosphere! The moment you step foot in this carnivorous paradise, you're embraced by a warm and welcoming ambiance. The rustic charm mixed with the mouthwatering aroma of barbecue creates an irresistible combination that's both comforting and tantalizing. It's like stepping into a dreamy backyard cookout with friends, minus the mosquitoes!

Ah, the staff. These BBQ wizards are the true MVPs of The Pedalin' Pig. Their enthusiasm and genuine love for what they do shine through with every interaction. You can't help but feel like an honored guest, as they guide you through the tantalizing menu and regale you with hilarious anecdotes. Their passion for BBQ is infectious, leaving you grinning from ear to ear throughout your entire visit.

Now, let's get to those hush puppies. Oh boy, these golden nuggets of delight are not to be underestimated! As you sink your teeth into their crispy exterior, the magical alchemy happens. The hush puppies melt in your mouth like fluffy clouds of nostalgia, transporting you to simpler times. And when the sweet southern butter joins the party, it's as if all your worries melt away, leaving only pure bliss and the desire for endless baskets of these addictive goodies.

In conclusion, The Pedalin' Pig BBQ is an epic adventure for your taste buds and a laugh-inducing journey for your soul. From their heavenly meat and saucy wonders to the warm atmosphere and delightful staff, this place is a must-visit for all BBQ enthusiasts and lovers of joyous dining experiences. And those hush puppies? Prepare to bid farewell to stress and hello to mouthwatering euphoria!...

I have never been to the pedalin pig before so I did not know what to expect. Luckily I had a wonderful waitress named Hannah who was able to give me the lowdown on all the food and also give us a sample of all the barbecue sauces. I really appreciated her help in this matter. The hush puppies were Back to Basics but I did enjoy them. They were not sweet like you would find that Long John Silvers. They were just basic and it was a good throwback to my mom's recipe. The surprise was the turkey which was excellent! I enjoyed all of it and unfortunately they were out of bread pudding this trip but I told Hannah that we would be back and make sure they had it next time we were in town.

03-12-2019

I have been back to the pedal and pig several times and the food is always the best. Unfortunately I still haven't had a piece of that bread pudding that is supposed to be so good. Speaking with my waitress Shirley today, it is apparently a hit and miss as to when bread pudding is ready even though it's one of their best sellers. On the other hand I had an excellent meal today and my wife has come up with the perfect thing to do. She ordered the pulled pork barbecue and an extra piece of Texas toast. One of her sides was the barbecue slaw. She made one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted! I had the brisket as usual, but this time I had the cornbread salad which I found to be delictable! I just love The Pedalin' Pig And will be back the 17th for the St Patty's day celebration. I sure hope there will be some bread pudding that day....Ethan? 😁

03-17-2019

It was a great St Patty's day at the pedalin' pig. The corned beef, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage we're awesome along with the black-eyed peas with chow chow on top. The amount of Guinness consumed made the visit even better. But the one thing that was missing was again the bread pudding. Hush puppies are also...