McClure's

Photo by renee b. photography.

There are less than 5 days until City Pork erupts into a smoke-filled celebration of the pig, and many of the city's self-proclaimed barbecue experts will be on hand to vie for the coveted Grand Champion award. The local BBQ scene has exploded in recent years, and one of the most successful debuts comes from Neil McClure, a former manager of Dante's Kitchen who now runs his eponymous barbecue pop-up out of the same Riverbend restaurant during lunch Monday through Friday and on Tuesday nights.

Neil McClure has been pursuing a love of barbecue for his entire life, and he finally decided to take the plunge this past November. In this month's issue of OffBeat, we take a closer look at McClure's in our Dining Out column. Give it a read but be prepared for what could be an uncontrollable craving for smoked meats.

It's a long drive from the CBD to the Riverbend for a plate of brisket, but there is a delicious reward at the end of your journey. Neil McClure believes (and we agree with him) that barbecue is best enjoyed as a mid-day meal, which is why he is open to a permanent location closer to downtown. But those of you who can't make the trek to see Neil for lunch this week can rest assured that he will be dishing out plenty of barbecue on Saturday at Hogs for the Cause.

McClure's Barbecue

736 Dante St.

Mon – Fri: 11:30a.m. – 1:30p.m.; Tues: 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m.