Our Story: Flavor Built Over Time
Blondie's is the culmination of a decades-long obsession with American barbecue and culture. This passion ignited a desire to share the authentic flavors and traditions of Texas BBQ, bringing the true taste of slow-smoked meats to Southeast New England.
Meet the Owners
Pete and Tricia Crowley share a passion for creating memorable dining experiences, a drive evident in every dish at Blondie's Barbecue. With years of experience in the restaurant industry, Pete and Tricia bring a wealth of culinary expertise and a deep commitment to quality. They are now excited to bring their love for authentic Texas barbecue and dedication to a welcoming atmosphere here to Walpole, ready to serve you delicious, slow-smoked meats.
Mastering the Smoke:
Our Oak Wood Selection
The soul of our smoke comes from the wood we use – a critical ingredient for The Flavor Built Over Time. It's not just fuel; it infuses meat with signature character over hours in the pit. From the glowing embers and steady heat, burning oak is where flavor builds, bit by bit, through its slow, steady combustion. We are proud to tell you that we use 100% New England oak, connecting our Texas-style craft to the rich, abundant resources right here in our region.
We choose New England Oak Wood, honoring Texas tradition by using the wood that defines their smoke, and embrace our local environment by sourcing it locally. By managing both White Oak and Red Oak varieties from New England, we master the subtle nuances of smoke.
Each type offers a distinct profile contributing to our layered flavor:
White Oak: Known for classic, milder smoke. It adds a subtle, nutty, clean flavor that enhances meat's natural taste. It’s widely considered a traditional choice for beef, offering a clean finish built over hours. It burns steadily, a reliable fire we tend for hours.
Red Oak: Provides slightly more robust smoke. It offers a bolder, richer smokiness compared to white oak. We strategically use red oak when we seek a more pronounced smoky character, balancing its intensity to deepen flavor built over time. Its burn releases compounds for that irresistible smoky aroma.
Understanding and using both New England White and Red Oak lets us precisely control the smoke flavor, significantly contributing to The Flavor Built Over Time. This attention to detail, and the consistent, clean heat they provide over the long cook, that truly sets our BBQ apart.
Our Forge: Custom 1000 gallon Smokers
Behind every great plate of BBQ is a great pit, and ours is a true labor of love – a custom-fabricated smoker born from a decommissioned 1000-gallon propane tank. This isn't just a piece of equipment; it's the engine that creates the perfect environment for our meat to transform and fully realize that incredible flavor built over time. This monument to low-and-slow is where the magic of time, temperature, and smoke truly comes together.
We chose this heavy-duty construction, featuring thick steel walls, because it delivers tangible results you can taste in every bite:
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tenderness: The pit's stable, low-temperature environment gently cooks the meat for hours, creating incredibly tender, fall-apart results.
Consistently Juicy BBQ: Our smoker's design and stable heat help the meat retain its natural moisture throughout the long cooking process, ensuring every piece is juicy and flavorful.
Signature Smoky Flavor & Perfect Bark: The controlled environment is ideal for developing that deep, sought-after smoky flavor and the delicious, dark crust (the bark) on the outside of your meat.
Quality You Can Rely On: The precise and stable cooking conditions in this pit mean you get consistently delicious, perfectly cooked BBQ every time you visit.
Our custom tank smoker, fueled by our carefully selected oak wood, is the heart of our operation – a powerful combination that allows us to deliver the authentic flavor and texture that our customers crave. It's a testament to our belief that the right tools, paired with dedication and expertise, make all the difference in building that layered flavor over time.