When Pigs Fly is a popular barbecue restaurant with multiple locations in Vermont. Known for its slow-smoked meats, house-made sides, and fun atmosphere, When Pigs Fly has developed a loyal following among barbecue fans in the northeast. Here we provide an in-depth review of When Pigs Fly BBQ, looking at the food, service, ambiance, and value.
An Introduction to When Pigs Fly BBQ
When Pigs Fly BBQ was founded in 1993 by Paul Bushey in Waitsfield, Vermont. After operating successful barbecue restaurants in North Carolina, Bushey brought his smoker skills up north and opened the first When Pigs Fly location.
The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its authentic southern barbecue recipes like pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. Over the years, When Pigs Fly has expanded to five locations throughout Vermont.
In our When Pigs Fly BBQ reviews, we will cover everything you need to know about this popular local barbecue joint. From the food and sides to the rustic dining spaces, we will break down what makes When Pigs Fly a go-to spot for smoky meats and Southern comfort foods.
Overview of When Pigs Fly BBQ Locations
When Pigs Fly currently operates five barbecue restaurants in Vermont:
- Waitsfield – The original When Pigs Fly location opened in 1993 in Waitsfield. This rustic restaurant has indoor and outdoor patio seating.
- Burlington – Located in downtown Burlington, this location opened in 2003. It has a more modern industrial look.
- Somerville – Opened in 2005, the Somerville location has homey decor and outdoor picnic tables.
- Barre – Established in 2009, this location offers counter-service and a drive-thru window.
- Waterbury – The Waterbury outpost opened in 2018 with cafeteria-style service.
While each When Pigs Fly location has its own individual decor and layout, they all share the same menu items and focus on barbecue. The restaurants have a casual, laidback vibe where guests order at the counter before taking a seat. Most locations also offer takeout, catering, and online ordering.
When Pigs Fly BBQ Food Review
The star of the show at When Pigs Fly is undoubtedly the barbecue. The restaurants pride themselves on slow-smoking meats for up to 14 hours over local hardwood. This results in extremely tender, fall-off-the-bone barbecue coated in a slightly sweet, tangy sauce.
Here is a closer look at some of the most popular menu items in our When Pigs Fly BBQ review:
Smoked Meats
- Pulled Pork – Tender, juicy pork shoulder shredded by hand and bathed in When Pigs Fly’s signature sauce. Served on a bun or platter.
- Brisket – Perfectly smoked brisket sliced to order. Melts in your mouth and full of flavor.
- Ribs – Offered in full rack or half rack options. The baby back ribs are seasoned, smoked, and glazed for finger-licking barbecue.
- Chicken – Brined chicken smoked to perfection. Moist, juicy, and served chopped or quartered.
- Smoked Sausage – Plump andouille sausage made in-house. Served chopped on a bun or links on a platter.
Sides
No barbecue meal is complete without some classic sides like:
- Baked Beans – Sweet and smoky with onions, bacon, brown sugar, and When Pigs Fly’s dry rub.
- Collard Greens – Slow simmered with smoked turkey and house seasonings.
- Mac and Cheese – Creamy cheddar cheese sauce and tender macaroni baked with a crispy topping.
- Cornbread – The ideal vehicle for soaking up extra barbecue sauce. Sweet and crumbly cornbread made from scratch.
- Coleslaw – Cool, crunchy cabbage tossed in a tangy dressing. The perfect partner to rich barbecue.
Other Menu Items
In addition to all the barbecue offerings, When Pigs Fly also serves up some non-barbecue options like:
- Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese – Smoky pulled pork with melted cheddar on Texas toast.
- Smoked Chicken Salad – House smoked chicken blended with celery, onions, sweet peppers, and mayo.
- Smoked Vegetable Platter – Selection of fresh vegetables smoked in-house and served with aioli.
- Smoked Wings – Chicken wings smoked for hours then fried until crispy. Tossed in your choice of sauce.
Sauces
The barbecue meats at When Pigs Fly come pre-sauced with the signature house sauce. But diners can also choose from several extra sauces and rubs to customize their meats:
- Original – Sweet, tangy, tomato-based sauce with a blend of spices. The classic.
- Spicy – The original sauce kicked up with hot peppers and chili powder.
- Mustard – Savory yellow mustard-based sauce with cracked pepper.
- Dry Rub – Smoky blend of spices to give meats a crusty kick.
No matter what you order at When Pigs Fly, the food is consistently smoked to perfection and full of authentic barbecue flavor. The restaurants pride themselves on never taking shortcuts with the smoking process or using liquid smoke.
When Pigs Fly BBQ Ambiance Review
The dining spaces at When Pigs Fly have a laidback, rustic vibe that lets the focus remain on the food. Decor includes wooden tables and benches, license plates decorating the walls, checked tablecloths, and pig motifs everywhere. There is also Americana memorabilia like vintage Coca-Cola signs and Route 66 emblems.
Each restaurant location has minor decorative variations, but they all evoke the feeling of casual barbecue joints and roadside diners. Some seating is available both indoors and out on covered patios. Long communal tables promote a friendly, communal dining experience.
Ordering is done cafeteria-style at the counter, after which you find your own table. Servers bring out the food when ready. The casual counter ordering and self-seating arrangements add to the welcoming, come-as-you-are atmosphere.
In general, the When Pigs Fly barbecue joints feel more like the type of place you’d stop at on a road trip rather than a formal restaurant. The vibe is family-friendly and lively. You may even find yourself sitting next to locals who have been regulars for over 20 years.
When Pigs Fly BBQ Service Review
In our When Pigs Fly reviews, we found the service to be fast, friendly, and efficient. Since you order at the counter, interaction with staff is primarily at that point. The counters are well-staffed with employees who know the menu extensively. Even when lines get long during busy times, the staff works quickly to take orders while remaining gracious.
Once you are seated with your pager, servers regularly check in to see if any assistance is needed. Refills are brought right out, and empty plates are promptly cleared. Despite the high volume of barbecue-craving customers, especially on weekends, the employees manage the pace admirably.
The management makes customer satisfaction a clear priority for the staff. If any issues with an order do arise, staff members politely handle the situation and are quick to correct mistakes. Overall, service is solid considering the casual counter-order format and the popularity of this restaurant.
When Pigs Fly BBQ Review: Prices & Overall Value
When Pigs Fly BBQ provides excellent value for the high quality of barbecue served. Sandwiches range from $6-9, while platters are $10-20. Sides are all under $3 each.
Compared to other sit-down barbecue restaurants, When Pigs Fly is very reasonably priced. Portion sizes are also generous, especially the meat platters piled high with smoked brisket, pulled pork, or ribs. The cafeteria-style ordering is a great option for dining with big groups, families, or kids since everyone can get exactly what they want.
When Pigs Fly uses top-notch local ingredients from Vermont farms and markets for all their meats, sides, and sauces. Considering the from-scratch preparation and lengthy smoking, the food you get here is an excellent value and priced affordably.
Our When Pigs Fly BBQ reviews found that even with basic sandwiches or simple sides, you walk away satisfied without breaking the bank. For the high quality smoked meats and authentic sides made in-house, When Pigs Fly BBQ offers a terrific bang for your buck.
Frequently Asked Questions About When Pigs Fly BBQ
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about When Pigs Fly BBQ:
Is When Pigs Fly BBQ good?
Yes, When Pigs Fly BBQ serves exceptionally delicious, authentic barbecue. Their smoked meats and classic sides are seasoned to perfection and cooked low-and-slow over hardwood. When Pigs Fly is considered one of the best barbecue restaurants in Vermont.
How long has When Pigs Fly BBQ been open?
The original When Pigs Fly BBQ opened in Waitsfield, Vermont in 1993. The restaurant has since expanded to 4 other locations throughout the state over the past 20+ years.
What is When Pigs Fly known for?
When Pigs Fly BBQ is best known for smoking incredible barbecue like pulled pork, brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage. They are also acclaimed for their perfected smoker recipes, signature sauces, and house-made classic sides.
Does When Pigs Fly cater?
Yes, When Pigs Fly offers catering services statewide in Vermont for events large and small. You can order party trays, sandwich platters, and full barbecue spreads for delivery or pickup.
Do you need reservations at When Pigs Fly?
Reservations are not required at any of the When Pigs Fly BBQ locations. All restaurants are counter service and first-come, first-served seating. Parties larger than 8 may want to call ahead.
Can you get When Pigs Fly BBQ shipped?
Unfortunately, When Pigs Fly does not ship their barbecue nationwide at this time. The barbecue is best enjoyed fresh on site. But you can purchase bottled sauces online to enjoy their flavors anywhere.
What are When Pigs Fly BBQ hours?
Hours vary by location but are generally 11am-9pm Sunday-Thursday and 11am-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Check the website for specific hours at each restaurant before visiting.
Is When Pigs Fly BBQ gluten free?
While the restaurants don’t offer a specific gluten-free menu, some items like the smoked meat platters and certain sides can be made gluten-free. Guests with allergies should alert staff when ordering.
Final Thoughts
Our in-depth When Pigs Fly BBQ review finds this local barbecue chain deserves its stalwart reputation in Vermont. The tender, juicy smoked meats have outstanding depth of flavor that only comes fromlow-and-slow wood smoking. The ribs, pulled pork, brisket and more have perfected seasoning and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Classic Southern sides like baked beans, collards, and mac and cheese are executed wonderfully. The sauces and dry rubs allow you to customize your meat to your desired spice and tang. While each location has its own charm, they all live up to the When Pigs Fly standards of incredible barbecue in a laidback setting.
For authentic regional barbecue made with the highest quality ingredients, look no further than When Pigs Fly BBQ. Just come ready to get your hands deliciously messy!