Velvet Smoke BBQ

I went to Findlay Market craving a gyro, but it was closed.  This was one of the few places open with food.  Unfortunately, brisket was sold out, so I had a pulled pork sandwich. I probably wouldn't have tried it otherwise, since if I wanted pulled pork I would usually stick with Eli's-- but this pulled pork was delicious as well!  You can choose how spicy you want to BBQ sauce, and its tangy flavor complements the tender pork very well.  There are tons of trophies from BBQ competitions, so others must agree that this place is good as well.  The cole slaw was "meh" and definitely not something I'd go out of my way to eat.  In any case, this place was surprisingly good, and worth the visit.

I've already expressed how much I love Eli's BBQ, but I recently found a spot that is just about on the same level of quality. Velvet Smoke BBQ operates on weekends out of Findlay Market, does catering, and are active in BBQ competitions throughout the midwest. They only offer a few items for sale at Findlay Market (pulled pork, brisket, and ribs). I ordered a pulled pork platter with coleslaw and asked for a toasted Servatii's bun on the side.

The pork was perfectly smoked with a great mix of crisp outside and tender inside. I made a sandwich topped with the rather plain tasting coleslaw and a tangy Kansas City style sauce. I had plenty of extra pork leftover to eat on my own and plus a little to share with my wife. I think I give a slight edge to Eli's overall, but this is still a very solid product.

This place is a find. Tucked into Cincinnati's Historic Findlay Market, Velvet Smoke BBQ has the "low and slow" BBQ figured out. They've got the awards and the goods. The pulled pork sandwich was tender and flavorful, and the homemade medium BBQ sauce enhanced but did not overpower the meat. Vinegar slaw was excellent, both on the sandwich and as a side. We had a taste of Texas brisket, from both sides. It was so good we bought a pound to take home for dinner! Co-founder Matt Schneider was super friendly and exuded a passion about his food that you just love to experience. If you love BBQ, you've got to try this place for lunch.