Need advice on cook

[jdefran]

A friend is having a graduation party for finishing law school. I am coordinating with his wife to provide BBQ.

Details:

- Meat needs to finish by 12pm since we are eating at 2pm (rest time and travel)

- Anticipate approx. 50 people

- Cookers will be any combo of 18.5" WSM, 26 Kettle", 22" Kettle

- I am cooking chicken on-site (I convinced said friend to obtain Kettle )

Questions:

- If I wanted to do brisket (and burnt ends), what should my approach be?
Overnight? Hot and fast? Wrapping details?

- Do you think the majority of folks like ribs or pulled pork?

• If doing pulled pork I would start early evening of previous day.
• If doing ribs, I would start early morning the same day.

Any insight or additional info is appreciated..

[dmbrill]

My personal opinion is it would be tough to do ribs for that many people.  I think pulled pork and brisket would be best bets for feeding that number of people with the cookers you have.  Perhaps 4 brisket flats in the WSM and 3-4 pork shoulders on the 26"?  This way, everything would be an overnight cook and hopefully you'll be able to get a few hours of shut eye.

[AZ Monsoon]

If it was me, I would go with pulled pork sandwiches as it would take the pressure off and they would be great. You can give yourself plenty of time and when you're done just wrap them in aluminum foil a towel, put them in the cooler and they will be ready when you are.

These are always a big hit with pulled pork at my house and parties.
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/50945/dutchs-wicked-baked-beans

Sounds like fun. Good luck.

[TheDude]

I agree with pulled pork. It's cheap and forgiving. Between the WSM and the 26", you could do plenty. Most people will think you slaved over it... When in fact, you lit a fuse and went to bed.

[SmokenJoe]

^^^^^^   It's BBQ food for the masses  ...  pulled pork sandwiches.  Easy on the cook and always a hit.                          SJ
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[Davescprktl]

Pulled pork all the way.  It's always a crowd pleaser.

[MikeRocksTheRed]

Pulled pork gets my vote as well.  I would never make Brisket for a crown that large unless I did it so that it was totally done 8 hours prior to needing to eat it.  Brisket can occasionally take way longer than expected.

For the pulled pork you can pull it then leave it unsauced, but have multiple sauce options available so people can sauce their own sandwhiches!  You can also pull it last minute so everyone sees the final product before pulling.

[TheDude]

Pulled pork gets my vote as well.  I would never make Brisket for a crown that large unless I did it so that it was totally done 8 hours prior to needing to eat it.  Brisket can occasionally take way longer than expected.

For the pulled pork you can pull it then leave it unsauced, but have multiple sauce options available so people can sauce their own sandwhiches!  You can also pull it last minute so everyone sees the final product before pulling.

A lot of people that don't know BBQ, think bark is burnt.

[MikeRocksTheRed]

Pulled pork gets my vote as well.  I would never make Brisket for a crown that large unless I did it so that it was totally done 8 hours prior to needing to eat it.  Brisket can occasionally take way longer than expected.

For the pulled pork you can pull it then leave it unsauced, but have multiple sauce options available so people can sauce their own sandwhiches!  You can also pull it last minute so everyone sees the final product before pulling.

A lot of people that don't know BBQ, think bark is burnt.

That's a very good point.  Never thought of that. 

[Jason]

I have cooked a lot of different things, for a lot of different tastes. Pulled Pork is by far the most preferred and requested BBQ I make for large gatherings.

[demosthenes9]

I like having a variety of dishes, so I'd go with PP and brisket if the budget allows.  You could go with what Dmbrill mentioned, brisket on the WSM and 3 butts on the 26'er, or you could do the PP the day before and then the  brisket.  Give yourself plenty of time to finish.  Luckily, both PP and brisket can be held for quite some time, so that's all good.

[Travis]

I agree, pulled pork.

[jdefran]

Thanks for all the insight guys, I've decided I will do pulled pork. I am considering do faux burnt ends from chuck roast.