THE REVIEW - Hog-Wild Pit BBQ, Wichita, KS

On our way from Oklahoma City to Kansas City we stopped in Wichita, KS at Hog-Wild Pit BBQ – www.hogwildpitbar-b-q.com. Hog-Wild was in a strip mall and had a drive-thru, two indications it might not be worthy...wrong! We parked out back to walk the dogs before going inside and we noticed a large stack of hickory wood logs. We'd later find out how significant those logs were in making Hog-Wild one of the better stops so far. We pulled in around 11am when the place opened and it was packed by 11:30am, a testament to it's quality and popularity. No question they do meat right, but the sides fell flat.

Me outside Hog-Wild Pit BBQ in Wichita, KS

Inside Hog-Wild Pit BBQ in Wichita, KS

Hog-Wild Pit BBQ stood out because of its hickory smoke flavored meat

Sauce – 4 – The highest rated sauce so far and the first sauce we bought. They had a mild and hot. Mild was sweet (not at all spicy) and the hot started sweet and finished slightly spicy, but not over powering.

Sides – 2 – Very commercial. Tasted like KFC’s sides. Standard at best.

Slabs – 3.5 – Although not as meaty as others we’ve had, Hog-Wild’s ribs stood out because of the tremendous hickory smoke flavor. The wood logs out back made all the difference. The ribs tasted like a camp fire smells (in a good way). Along with the smokey flavor, they had a nice crispy glazed skin with tender pink meat.

Pork rib combo - Tremendous hickory smoke flavor

Steaks – 4 – This was the highest rated brisket so far. It had the same hickory smoke flavor as the ribs and it was shredded as opposed to strips of meat, which we really enjoyed. It was moister than other brisket we’ve had. By itself it was very good and with the hot bbq sauce it was spectacular.

Sandwiches – 3.5 – Again, the hickory smoke flavor came out in the pulled pork. It was chunky style, not shredded, which we’ve found to be more flavorful because the chunks have the crispy glazed skin. It was moist and slightly pink making it one of the top pulled porks thus far.

Hog-Wild's two meat combo - pulled pork and brisket with mashed potatoes adn cole slaw

DAY 4 - Santa Fe to Oklahoma City

We took the eight hour drive from Santa Fe to Oklahoma City today with a lunch stop at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, TX (review below). The weather was beautiful – 40’s & 50’s and not a cloud in the sky. Santa Fe at sunrise is beautiful!! The sun slowly peaking over the snow-capped mountains, it was a spectacular site. The scenery the rest of the way through Texas and Oklahoma was nice as well, tons of traditional farm land and rolling prairies.

Santa Fe sunrise video

Santa Fe sunrise

Santa Fe sunrise with the snowy ground in front

Sun beginning to light up the snow-capped Santa Fe mountains

More snow-capped Santa Fe mountains

A leaning water tower in the small Texas town of Groom

Some of Texas' gorgeous country side

More Texas countryside

We're so dedicated to the BBQ theme that even our sunflower seeds are BBQ flavored

Zena and Zuma snoozed most of the drive

One of the highlights of the drive was being able to hear the Cowboys v. Eagles football game on the official Cowboys radio network. It was so fun to hear the Cowboys announcers bummed out and in awe over the crushing. Fly Eagles Fly!!!

Fly Eagles Fly!!

We pulled into Oklahoma City around 7pm CT and immediately hit up Earl’s Rib Palace (review below). After dinner we searched for hotels and unfortunately, only crappy hotels accepted dogs. Needless to say, Mama D. was not thrilled with the accommodations. Oh well, it’s just one night and we’re up and out early tomorrow morning and I already scooped a Starbucks for her so she’ll be happy.

Oklahoma City skyline

After some brief sightseeing in Oklahoma City tomorrow morning, we’re off to Kansas City.