Shuck There It Is

WEB EXCLUSIVE Aw shucks, another Lawrence Barbecue pop-up is coming to Raleigh! The forthcoming barbecue resto from chef Jake Wood—who has been teasing taste buds with his ever-popular ’cue with pop-ups at multiple spots around town for months now—has been tapped by St. Roch for the return of the New Orleans-inspired oyster bar and restaurant’s Friends With Benefits monthly dinner series (pop-up perfection that began last January, but was cut short due to the pandemic), now in its second installment, on April 8.

St. Roch chef/owner Sunny Gerhart says the goal of the series is to celebrate all of the amazing talent in the Raleigh food scene while providing guests with unique experiences. And Wood’s barbecue is sure to be a bold complement to Gerhart’s oysters. In short, St. Roch brings in the friends, and you get all the delicious benefits. So, the world is your oyster, so to speak…

“After this past year, it feels more important than ever to celebrate each of our anniversary milestones,” adds Gerhart. “So, we’re bringing this series back to give us a chance to cook with our megatalented chef pals and create some unique experiences here at St. Roch.”

During April’s Friends With Benefits dinner, Wood will be previewing dishes from Lawrence Barbecue, including his famed bacon-cured brisket sando, Lawrence family grilled oysters, classic pulled pork platter and Mary Tilley’s tres leches milkshake. St. Roch’s full menu will also be available. Who’s pumped?

The pop-up provides just one more reason for locals to get excited about Lawrence Barbecue’s highly anticipated opening in Boxyard RTP this summer. You may have been lucky to already get a taste during Wood’s previous pop-ups at Whiskey Kitchen, J. Lights Market & Cafe, Standard Beer + Food and Wye Hill, to name just a few. Lawrence Barbecue also recently took home the W on Discovery Channel’s new competition show, “Moonshiners: Smoke Ring.” 

So, if you haven’t had a chance to try Lawrence Barbecue, you’re in for a real treat. Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome; strochraleigh.com

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