HANG FIRE SMOKEHOUSE @ PORTERS ****
Harlech Court, Cardiff. 029 2125 0666
With the summer approaching its end this month, it’s starting to feel like there isn’t much time left for the BBQ. Thankfully, you can get a taste of the American barbeque year round at Porters bar in Cardiff. You’d be spoiled for choice any day of the week at Porters, which contains a stage for live music and comedy, a cinema and a car park turned beer garden (complete with its own miniature golf course). On Sundays, however, it offers something more.
Hang Fire Smokehouse was created by Samantha and Shauna after a six-month BBQ-themed trip around the States. Just two days after returning to Wales, Samantha and Shauna’s new smoker arrived and the duo set out to create an American barbeque for a British pallet. With three different smoke-roasted meats (and a vegetarian halloumi burger) on offer we went for all of them. On our plates was a soft and sweet pulled pork, 18-hour hickory smoked beef brisket, and deliciously spicy ‘Hot Links’. These half-pork/half-beef sausages were by far our favourite as the smoked meat was balanced perfectly with a spicy hint. Did I also mention Hang Fire Smokehouse is the only place in the UK you can get these tasty links, created by artisan charcuterie company Charcuterie Ltd?
Accompanying these meats was a selection of sides such as the palate-cleansing Texas’slaw and pickles (from Inner City Pickles), a creamy mac and cheese and a selection of homemade sauces – including a ‘Texas Espresso BBQ Sauce’ which give a subtle coffee kick to a summer classic. New to Porters, Hang Fire Smokehouse has attracted guests of all ages and backgrounds by providing good, well-priced food and the welcoming community feel of an all-American BBQ.
Words: Heather Arnold
Photo: Matthew Cook (Biscuit Pictures)