Come Enjoy Authentic Smoked Meats at Rackz BBQ!

Posted on November 16, 2018 by RackzBBQ

If you are looking for delicious smoked barbecue and tasty southern classics in Carmel, visit Rackz BBQ for authentic flavors at an affordable price!

Smoked Meat Dinners in Carmel 317-688-7290

Here at Rackz BBQ, we specialize in home-style barbecue and southern classics, offering an ever-changing and exciting menu filled with a wide selection of smoked meats, savory sides, and delectable starters, all of which are made to order by our culinary experts and chief pit master!

We Have Your Favorite BBQ Meal!

When you visit our restaurant, you will be in for a memorable and satisfying meal. Start with some of our delicious appetizers, like pork belly burnt ends, BBQ chips and dip, homemade pork rinds, and more. And then indulge yourself with one of their smoked meats, including barbecue ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, pulled chicken, beef brisket, and a variety of combo platters.

But no meal is complete without some homemade, Southern-inspired side items! So be sure to add on some of our custom side selections, like macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, peach baked beans, glazed carrots, French fries, and more! And when you are all done with your meal, it’ll be time to finish with something sweet, like our assorted Hershey’s frozen treats or our rotating pie selection of the week!

Here at Rackz, we make dinner convenient for everyone by offering call ahead and takeout orders. And if you do not want to leave the house, you can simply order our delectable barbecue on DoorDash! For larger gatherings and event, take advantage of our BBQ catering services!

A Family Restaurant in Carmel

There is something for the whole family at Rackz BBQ, and you won’t be disappointed on your first visit! Even better, we are conveniently located in Carmel, Indiana, right off of Hazel Dell Parkway, and just North of Main Street. As a locally owned and operated barbecue restaurant, you can expect hot fresh barbecue at economical prices. Come check out our fantastic deals and delicious meals, today!

Learn More About Us

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ is eager to impress you with our delicious, made from scratch barbecue cuisines. As a Carmel BBQ restaurant dedicated to quality and value, you can trust us for exceptional customer service, neighborhood prices, and most importantly, authentic barbecue fare that you will love. Contact us at 317-688-7290 to place a call ahead order, or to learn more about our menu selections, prices, and specials.

3 Reasons Why You Should Tie a Roast

Posted on May 18, 2018 by RackzBBQ

It is a common culinary practice to tie up various large cuts of meat prior to cooking, including chicken, beef tenderloin, pork loin, prime rib roast, and more. Although it isn’t a must, tying a roast can give your dish the extra “wow” factor you’ve been missing; it can even add a little convenience. In fact, if you give it just one try, you may never go back to your former roast preparation methods!

Continue reading to learn when you should tie a roast, and how to do it right!

Smoked Meat Dinners 317-688-7290

Why Tie?

There are several reasons why tying a roast is beneficial. Usually, the reason stems from necessity. For instance, if you are preparing a stuffed entrée, binding the meat will help keep the filing inside during cooking. Likewise, if your roast is greatly misshapen or irregular, tying it up can give it a more uniform look and ensure even cooking.

Here are the top 3 reasons why it may be useful to tie a roast:

❶ A Misshapen Roast – Often times, cuts of meat are uneven in shape and girth. Beef tenderloins, for instance, are usually thicker in the middle and thinner at the ends. By binding the ends beneath the roast, you can ensure even cooking and create a more appealing presentation.

❷ A Filled or Split Roast – If you are preparing a roast that has been split down the center and filled with a stuffing of sorts, you risk losing a large amount of that stuffing during the cooking process. By binding the meat together, you can enclose the roast and keep the filling inside.

❸ A Prime Rib Roast – For a truly lovely prime rib roast, many chefs remove the rib bones and tie them beneath the roast to create elevation during cooking without the use of a rack. This allows the heat to cook the roast evenly, all around.

Choosing a Twine

When it comes to using a twine to tie your meat, consider a butcher’s twine. Also referred to as “kitchen twine”, these products are made of cotton and grip the meat particularly well. Most culinary professionals use and recommend butcher’s twine. Although you may also use linen twine, it is generally more expensive. Avoid using colored, synthetic, or poly twine; but if you are in a pinch, you can substitute unwaxed dental floss.

Steps to Tying a Roast:

➀ Create a slip knot on one end of your roast as the anchor. A slip knot will allow you to adjust the placement and tension of the string while tying up your roast.

➁ Connect the twine to the anchor and begin wrapping it in a series of loose loops around the roast at one inch apart. You may need to shimmy the loops up to ensure you are covering the entire roast evenly.

➂ Once the width of the roast is wrapped, create another piece of twine down the length of the roast, winding around each loop. Pull it tight at the end (do not squish the meat) and then secure it to the anchor knot.

It should look like this:

For Great Smoked BBQ, Call 317-688-7290!

A Tied Beef Tenderloin

Get Great Pork BBQ in Carmel!

If you are craving delicious barbecue and smoked meats, come to Rackz BBQ in Carmel for authentic flavors and great prices! We offer a wide selection of barbecue classics, house-made sides, and tasty desserts, all prepared using the freshest local ingredients. We also offer call ahead take out ordering and catering! Call 317-688-7290 to learn more about our current menu selections and specials, anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barbecue

Posted on March 23, 2018 by RackzBBQ

Spring is here and warm weather is on the way. This means that backyard barbecues will soon be a weekend regular for many families and friends. If you are planning on hosting a few backyard barbecues this season, be sure to catch up on some facts that can help you turn out delicious, juicy, and flavorful barbecued meats, every time.

Continue reading to review some common questions and answers about barbecue, including where you can find the best authentic BBQ takeout when you don’t have time to cook out!

BBQ Smoked Meats 317-688-7290

Is There a Difference Between Grilling and Barbecuing?

Yes! Barbecuing is a different method of cooking than grilling. Barbecuing involves cooking meat low and slow using indirect hot air in a sealed environment. Grilling involves openly cooking meat over a direct source of heat. Some grills can be used for both grilling and barbecuing; however, if your grill has only one burner, it is for grilling, not barbecuing.

Is it Healthier to Cook With Charcoal or Propane?

There is a study that shows that meats cooked with charcoal contain more carcinogens called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) compared to meats cooked with propane. When meat is cooked, the fat that drips from the meat burns, and subsequently creates PAH-infused smoke, which smothers what you’re cooking. In the same study, it was suggested that charcoal flames burn hotter than propane. This singes the meat even more, which produces another carcinogen called heterocyclic amines (HCAs).

Propane also produces some PAHs and HCAs, so use certain precautions to lower the content of both in your cooked meats. This includes trimming the fat as best as you can, marinating the meat, and flipping meat often. It is even recommended to soak your meat in either in vinegar or lemon juice to reduce PAHs and HCAs by up to 90 percent.

How Can I Make Meat Taste Less Smoky?

There are several things you can do to reduce the level of smokiness in your meats. A popular method is using alder, cherry, or apple wood chips since they are consistent with producing less smoky flavor profiles. You can also burn down your wood chips ahead of time in a burn barrel, and then use the remaining hot coals to cook your meat. Also, be sure your exhaust vent is wide open; otherwise, the smoke will not flow through the cooking chamber properly and add to much smokiness to your meat.

Which Cut of Beef is Best-Suited for Barbecuing?

There are several cuts of beef that make excellent candidates for barbecue. The most popular is brisket, which comes from the cow’s shoulder. Other cuts include rib-eye, sirloin, rump, beef top rib, steak mince, and filet.

How Do I Prevent Meats From Sticking to the Grill?

A clean grill is the best grill. If your grill grates are dirty, anything you cook on them will definitely stick. Try using a thin coat of cooking oil. Not only will this help season your meat, it will encourage food to release easier from the grates. Furthermore, be sure the grill grates are very hot so that the flesh of your meat sears and seals well.

How Long Can Barbecued Foods Sit Outside After Cooking?

In room temperature, the rule of thumb for food safety is to never leave food sitting out longer than 2 hours. However, at a backyard barbecue in the hot sun, bacteria grows faster in meat. So do not let your barbecued meats sit out longer than one hour in temperatures higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Visit Rackz BBQ for Authentic Barbecue Dining and Takeout!

Rackz BBQ
317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ offers a wide selection of delicious smoked meats and southern comfort foods that are sure to please the entire family. Located conveniently in Carmel, you can stop by anytime for lunch or dinner. Enjoy our made-from-scratch menu filled with traditional barbecue classics, like ribs, brisket, chicken, mac-n-cheese, corn bread, and more! If you don’t have time to sit down at our restaurant, place a takeout order for a hot and fresh meal on the go! Contact us at 317-688-7290 to place a call ahead order, or to learn more about our menu selections, prices, and specials.

The 4 Most Popular Woods for Smoking Meat

Posted on March 16, 2018 by RackzBBQ

Although there are various kinds of wood chips you can use to smoke meat, there are some that take the lead in terms of dependability, consistency, and popularity. The most common woods for smoking meat may vary from region to region, but around here, the top 4 are maple, pecan, hickory, and oak wood chips.

Continue reading to learn more about these four wood chip varieties, and what they can offer your premium cuts.

Smoked Meat Dinners Carmel, Indiana 317-688-7290

Smoked Meat Dinners 317-688-7290

❶ Maple

Maple wood chips offer a mild and subtly sweet flavor profile. They are commonly used for smoking poultry and small game birds, such as turkey, chicken, duck, and quail. Many people choose maple for smoking other foods besides meats, like cheese and vegetables.

❷ Pecan

Of all fruit wood chips, pecan is the strongest. However, this strong wood is still a milder alternative to hickory and mesquite. Pecan wood chips pair best with poultry, but can provide added flavor and zest to all other meats too. Just be careful using it in excess, as it can turn overpowering and bitter.

❸ Hickory

Hickory wood chips are very popular in the Midwest meat smoking industry, partly because they offer a sweet smoky flavor with strong hints of bacon. But because the smoke is pungent, its flavors are quite strong. These chips are well-suited for most meats, but couples best with pork and ribs.

❹ Oak

If you are looking for a lighter, milder flavor profile than maple and hickory, oak is the answer. Oak wood chips offer a medium-strong smoky flavor, and work great with virtually all meats. Although great alone, they can also be combined with cherry, hickory, or apple wood chips for added flavor.

IMPORTANT WARNING:

It is strongly recommended to not use Eastern cedar, cypress, elm, eucalyptus, liquid amber, pine, redwood, fir, spruce, and sycamore. These trees are high in resin and oils that cause a thick smoke when lit.

Smoked Barbecue Meats Near You!

Carmel BBQ Restaurant 317-688-7290

If you are craving delicious barbecue smoked meats and homemade side dishes, come to Rackz BBQ in Carmel for authentic flavors and great prices! We offer a wide selection of barbecue classics, house-made sides, and tasty desserts, all prepared using the freshest local ingredients. We also offer call ahead take out ordering and catering! Call 317-688-7290 to learn more about our current menu selections and specials, anytime.

Rackz BBQ Has Officially Launched a Brand New Website!

Posted on December 5, 2017 by RackzBBQ

When you’re in the mood for great barbecue, our pitmasters have the tasty cuts and smoked classics you’ll love! And now we have a brand new website showcasing all of our famous menu selections, services, and more!

www.rackzbbqindy.com

BBQ Restaurant Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ welcomes everyone to our brand new website! Now our valued customers and surrounding community can enjoy a hassle-free online experience getting to know our restaurant and the wonderful amenities we offer here in Carmel, Indiana! So the next time you crave great barbecue, you’ll know exactly where to go!

See Our Homemade Classics and More!

When you visit our brand new website, you quickly learn that finding your way around is simple! Our HOME page is easy to navigate, and contains various links to all the features and amenities you are looking for. Start by visiting our MENU page to look through our selection of house made barbecue sauces, smoked meats, classic cuisines, handcrafted side items, and decadent desserts. Everything here at Rackz BBQ is made from scratch and carefully crafted using the freshest local ingredients and authentic flavors.

Don’t feel like cooking? You don’t have to! We accept call ahead orders for pickup every day of the week. Simply give us a call, tell us what you want, and pay for it at pickup! We are conveniently located in Carmel, Indiana, right off of Hazel Dell Parkway, and just North of Main Street. You can click the map on our Home page or CONTACT page to get instant directions to our location, anytime! When you come into our restaurant, you are treated with the utmost courtesy and respect.

Just visit our ABOUT US page to meet the team and learn more about our company history! You will see where we get our passion and drive for providing outstanding service and delicious meals at an affordable price. In fact, you can see what others are saying about Rackz BBQ by reading our customer testimonials on our REVIEWS page!

You Have a BBQ Caterer Near You!

How about party planning? If you are planning a party or event, Rackz will provide the food for you! You can check out our CATERING page to learn everything you need to know about our catering options. Our culinary experts provide affordable catering services for all events, occasions, and industries throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana! You can choose from our house menu items, or work with our catering coordinators to customize a meal plan unique to your event. From office box lunches and birthday parties, to tailgate catering, on-site smokers, and more, we have what you need to create a memorable occasion within your budget!

Want a Meaningful Job in Food Service?

Are you a motivated person who gets excited about food? Are you looking for new and stimulating employment that can serve as the start of a long, fruitful, and rewarding career in the food industry? Visit our JOBS page to learn more about the employment opportunities at Rackz BBQ! If you are an energetic and reliable team player with a commitment to outstanding customer service, we encourage you to apply! Go to our Contact Us page and give us a call to learn more about the application process.

Visit Rackz BBQ in Carmel!

Rackz BBQ Carmel, IN 317-688-7290

Rackz BBQ is eager to impress you with our delicious, made from scratch barbecue cuisines. As a restaurant dedicated to quality and value, you can trust us for exceptional customer service, neighborhood prices, and most importantly, authentic barbecue fare that you will love. Call us anytime at 317-688-7290 to speak with a friendly restaurant manager about our weekly specials, current menu selections, catering information, and to place pickup orders. We look forward to seeing you!