Pit People: Mason

Hey there, BBQ enthusiasts!

If you've ever wondered who the masterminds are behind the mouthwatering goodness at our joint, look no further than Mason – the man who’s cooking up all your favorites at our Winterville store! We managed to pull him away from the fire for a minute to talk all things whole hog BBQ.

Where abouts are you from?

My hometown is Richmond, TX. And I’ve been in Greenville, NC for 6 years.

How long have you been at Sam Jones?

I’ve been at Sam Jones for 6 years.

What’s your favorite part of cooking whole hog?

My favorite part of cooking hog is crisping the skin.

What’s your favorite way to eat whole hog?

(Sandwich or tray; with a certain side or drink, etc)

The best way to eat whole hog is in a sandwich with slaw. The sweet slaw balances the tangy bbq so well.

If you could cook a hog for anyone alive or dead, who would it be?

This might be a lame answer, but the truth is I’m just as happy cooking for our regulars and bbq tourists as I would be for anyone else. I want our food to impress everyone and anyone who walks by our smokehouse.

What's the most underrated item on the menu?

Our most underrated item is our turkey.. It’s not your typical dry Thanksgiving turkey. It’s in a league of its own.

What sides do you go for?

It ain’t a proper plate unless you have mac ‘n cheese and black-eyed peas. I mix them together with no shame whatsoever.

We don’t know about you but reading this interview got us a bit hungry! Head on over to get yourself a bit of bbq - and see if Mason’s mac ‘n cheese and black eyes peas combo is your new favorite.