The Blistered Pig Smokehouse is a new, long awaited BBQ restaurant in Historic Downtown Apex. Located at 225 N. Salem Street, Apex NC, in the renovated Mule Exchange building, the long rumored dining spot became a reality in December 2014. Reservations are not taken, but if you want to call to check on availability you may by dialing 919-446-3366.
When you decide to go, plan to search for it since it's located in the back end of the renovated Mule Exchange building across from the downtown depot. After you discover where it is, you will find adequate parking just outside the door with easy access.
Once inside, be prepared for a wait since there's usually a line. And be prepared to be directed to sit on a skinny bench in the busy walkway by the door with waiters and food delivery people zipping by inches from your face while you wait. Hopefully you won't be smacked in the face while you watch all the folks rush by. If you don't want to sit in the aisle you can go over and sit on the hearth by the fireplace to wait behind the hostess. Otherwise you can stand at the door or sit at the bar while you wait. In warm weather you can wait outside on the patio.
Once you are seated, be prepared to be close to other customers, New York style, in the crowded space. In an effort to squeeze maximum revenue from the small restaurant the owners opted to pack in extra tables rather than allow room for customers to walk and have a little space to enjoy the experience. About half of the seating is at hi-top tables or at the bar with high-chair style seats - comfortable for some but does not work well with customers not able to climb up to be seated. If you need a standard table be prepared to wait.
Once seated, you can ponder the choices on the menu and select from several BBQ styles. Pulled pork (sans sauce), brisket with a dab of spicy red sauce, pork spare ribs, beef ribs and chicken. A small plate ($12.95) comes with one meat choice and two sides. A large plate ($15.95) has two meats and two sides. Sandwiches are also available. Sides are meant to somewhat like southern food choices but not necessarily with a taste you might expect for real southern eating. Be mindful of the beef ribs - some are overcooked and difficult to eat. Mac-N-Cheese (mushy), "yeller" or red slaw (spicy enough to burn), bland grits with cheese on top, collards with red pepper sprinkled in and lukewarm sweet potato fries are some of the sides available. Desserts are available if you have enough room left - banana pudding and other treats . Don't get the key lime pie - it has a left over taste and seems to be flavored with a taste absorbed from other foods in the cooler.
The restaurant offers tea, beer (cans only) and wine. Sorry, no draft beer. Beer ranges from $5.00 to $7.50. Be prepared for you check to go up by $10-15 for a couple of beers on top of the $28-32 for dinner for two, $50-60 for four. Unfortunately this is the only BBQ spot currently in downtown Apex so expect a little sticker shock and food a little different from real southern food you were expecting.
