 Editor's note: The Southern Foodways Alliance delves deep in the history, tradition, heroes and plain old deliciousness of barbecue across the United States. Dig in. If you make your way to St. Louis, Missouri, any time soon, ask a local to show you one of their barbecue specialties: snoots. In both editions of the classic guidebook Real Barbecue (1988 and 2007), authors Greg Johnson and Vince Staten put it this way: "First we'd better deal with 'snoots.' Snoots are part of the soul-food barbecue scene in St. Louis that will stare at you at the C & K, as well as any number of other places in town and across the river in East St. Louis. Snoots are deep-fried pig noses." At Smoki O's, another St. Louis barbecue joint, they smoke their snoots for a couple of hours instead of frying them. Whether boiled, fried, or smoked, snoots get doused with barbecue sauce and are meant to be eaten right away. Today's installment comes courtesy of Adrian Miller, a culinary historian, certified barbecue judge and author of an upcoming book about soul food. Follow him on Twitter at @soulfoodscholar. Delve into more barbecue goodness from the Southern Foodways Alliance blog Previously - Getting squirrelly over Brunswick stew and How to spot a great barbecue joint |
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I thought their motto was, "show me", not, "eat me". GAAAAAAA!
I am disgusted by the picture that is posted as well. It doesn't look appetizing at all. But, that's probably because that's not what a 'snoot' looks like once it's cooked properly. Unless you were actually told, you wouldn't even be able to tell what part of the pig you were eating. Although I don't eat it often now, I do like it to be crispy and topped off with lots of barbecue sauce, with bread of course. I can't speak for St. Louis, but I do know that this is something that is often eaten in East St. Louis, which, by the way, is in ILLINOIS and not Missouri. We are right across the river however. For those of you who have never had one, please hold your judgment until you taste a real one. It's really good–no, really!
We will not reserve judgment for until we have tried the item in question! We are Americans and will state an opinion based from what others have written. We do not need facts! We just need to be told what to say! Others say it looks gross, so it does!
Great points. I just re-read the article and it appears that the snoot sandwich is something that is offered in Kansas City, not in St. Louis or E. St. Louis. I've only had snoot once or twice as a kid and it never really grew on me. It wasn't so much the taste as it was the realization that I knew I was eating pig nose. It's like someone serving you what appears to be a nice juciy steak and then telling you that you just ate cow testicles. I'd imagine that most people wouldn't see that "steak" as a steak anymore.
Cow testicles? That's udderly impossible.
slaughterhouse to outhouse, pig pen to American
Git outta mah way, Ima git summa dat!
Your hearts sweeter n' bacon, child.
What is wrong with people. This is horrific.
you must really hate the war fronts happening around the globe then!
And why would anyone like them?
Because they're happening to "those other people over there". Pure entertainment!
Well he did that by ditching his Blackberry, I mangaed that by doing the following things:- No sound for new mail- Mobile phone set to silent- Work phone set to a very low but noticeable levelI discovered that ring tone of my mobile and the ringing of my work phone irritated me a lot when I was coding. So, silencing the former (actually to just one beep) and lowering the level of the later, gave me my keyboard back plus some KLOCs to my employer.
Snoots real; photo fake; youtube...
As the saying goes; From the rooter to the tooter...
Looks like a horse's wang. The only thing missing is the horseradish sauce. How many of you girls would be up for that!
I bet there would be more men up for it than women.
I'm pretty sure it's a snout – not a snoot!
And I am pretty sure that is ground pig meat, not hamburger. Bah, semantics.
Agree!!!!
That's just nasty no wonder nasty girls come from there.. hahaha
probably the closest you will ever know about where a woman comes from.
Has this got anything to do with the radioactive spraying of St. Louis residents by the US army?
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/10/04/u-s-militarys-secret-experiment-sprayed-radiation-on-low-income-housing/
no. No it does not. That said, more Americans should have secret experiments conducted against them, though. There sure are a lot of Americans running around with nothing to do, may as well make use of them.
Yeah they are called prisoners. Give them something else to do besides waste tax payers money, pump iron, and each other.
No, I am talking about regular run-of-the-mill living-free Americans. Use them as test subjects and let the world benefit from the gained knowledge. Think Unit 731 on a bigger, and more fun, scale. That is reality TV I would watch and send in suggestions for future episodes.
Agreed! Lets put those unemployed to work.
No it does not, Mr C.
looks like a horse glans on a bun
That's what I think about your nationality.. .hahahha
If I cared about what your opinion of my nationality is, I would make a comment about it.
You just did.
Now granted I am not a BBQ zealot, but I did live there for about 19 years before leaving for college. I have never heard of a pig snoot sandwich. I know my grandpa used to eat cow brain sandwiches. I have also watched a ton of shows about St. Louis Food and some are specifically BBQ, none have ever mentioned snoot. So as far as the sandwich being synonymous with the STL I highly disagree. Also we are not south but there are alot of white trash families out in the suburbs and they seem to congregate at Walmart.
Aw, hellllll no.
OMG. This is not a St. Louis staple food item. Shame on you CNN for publishing it this way. I've only seen ONE BBQ joint in St. Louis that serves snoot and it's Smokie O's. They do have nice food there. It's a carry out place. You'll be hard pressed to find snoot anywhere in this city.
I suspect that those STLians who are unfamiliar with snoot are not Black. I doubt that there is a single Black-owned or operated BBQ spot in St. Louis that does NOT sell snoot. I've had it only twice - both times when I was under 10 years old and I never really got into it. It's crunchy and taste more like pork rhines and less like pork (or meat for that matter). The texture and flavor is certainly something different and I'd love to see it on an episode of Chopped. By the way - I'm 36 and Black.
1) I have lived in St. Louis 15 years and have never heard of this.
2) I grew up in The South (of which StL is not a part) and never heard of it there, either. Pork rinds are popular, though.
3) East St. Louis is in Illinios.
4) Toasted Ravioli, pork steak, gooey butter cake and St Louis style pizza are the foods touted here. Folks are pretty proud of the foods brought to us for the first time at the 1904 World's Fair, too.
5) This sandwich sounds and looks really, really disgusting.
40 years for me, never seen such a thing! Our 1904 World's Fair also first introduced ice cream cones and iced tea.
Pig snout??!!
You Americans have such unrefined and ussophisticated tastes.
At least most of us are not like you.
wow, awesome comeback!
Way to generalize Jeann! Are all people from your country a-holes?
Anyone over 50 from East St. Louis would probably know about snoots, the picture is a total fabrication though! These are really just like pork rinds you buy in the bag at the grocery store, but the fresh version. The skin around the snoot is cleaned, scored, then prepared. I have to admit the no one living in St. Louis really knows of these anymore, but back in the 60'-80's you could not find a bar that didn't sell these in East St. Louis, when ever someone from the familiy visits now they always bring some home for the rest! Slow grilled over a BBQ is the absolute best way to make these, keep them a little chewy, slather on the sauce , wedge between two slices of bread and behold a little bit of heaven!!! Love live the SNOOT........
I grew up in St. Louis and have never heard of such a thing. My family still lives there and also has never heard of this! CNN fact checkers must of missed this one. As they say, "Don't believe everything you read!!!"
East St. Louis has more of that (and some smaller BBQ places in St. Louis). Apparently it's not what St. Louis is known for! lol
Never heard of this in 13 years of living in St. Louis. Wish I had. Would have loved to try it.
And I haven't heard of either of those BBQ places, either. Pappy's is the most famous of the St. Louis BBQ stops, far as I know. I agree with other posters: this article is poorly written.
57 years old, lived in St Louis all my life. I'm a big BBQ fan and I've been all over this city eating anything that has ever walked the Earth that is edible.
I've NEVER seen a Snoot Sandwich. Sounds like something I'd like to try, but this story is PURE bull. The author (Adrian Miller, a culinary historian) needs to be held accountable to the plethora of FLAT OUT LIES portrayed in this article.
SHAME ON YOU CNN. SHAME ON YOU!
Mike, although I have never heard of a "snoot sandwich" either, it would not surprise me if someone somewhere or another put such a thing on a menu. Especially any of the many BBQ places in North City that sale snoot. (There is a chinese food restaraunt near Grand and Gravois that sells more fish and chicken gizzards than chinese food). What concerns me more is that so many people supposedly from St. Louis have never even heard of snoot. Not to put all of our dirty laundry on cnn, but St. Louis is a rather racially polarized town and my guess is that the comments to this article are but a reflection of the fact that many people in our fair city simply do not care to see how folks on the north side of Delmar live. Snoot is indeed real. Nothing to brag about, but alas just as St. Louis as Ted Drewes.
Will, Interesting info. I admit, I don't have much experience in North St Louis, but it has nothing to do with race. It's a high crime area I don't feel safe in. So maybe the author should have spun this piece as an ethnic story instead of purely St. Louis?
I don't know about the Chinese place you were talking about in North city, but Grand and Gravois cross on the south side. Maybe you meant Bo Fung Chinese on Gravois and Kingshighway? :-)
Hi Ally. I live and work in South St. Louis and you are correct. The Chinese Food restaurant I am speaking of is in S. City. It is across from the Schnucks right there near where Grand and Gravois intersect. I believe it is called New China. The South Side of St. Louis is funny like that. You have million dollar homes on parts of Russell and crime ridden Dutchtown a mere five minutes away. At any rate, I agree that this article has potential for opening up a cultural dialogue as I literally grew angry once when driving from downtown to west county as there are so many great parts of St. Louis that many of people in St. Louis simply have no understanding or appreciation of. There is a house for sale in the city that was designed by and lived in by the guy who designed Union Station. In fact, he designed many of the homes in that neighborhood. Going to St. Charles feels like driving to a new state. 70w at rush hour looks like the exodus from Hurricane Katrina and many of us in St. Louis refuse or neglect to take ownership of the entire city - good and bad. I remember the first time I saw an old picture of the Veiled Prophet parade and gasped because it appeared the city was sponsoring a klan rally. Similarly, my heart sank when I read of the Kirkwood police officer who was killed a few years back in Meachum Park. We have to take the highs with the lows. This is our city. Good and bad. Snoot and all. LOL.
@will, I haven't been to the one on Grand and Gravois... I'll have to put that on my list! Cheers!
Kareena December 31, 2008 I am preparing for the sarfceolse certification exam, and have gone through your blog post. Thank you for taking the time to create this! Are many of the questions in the certification exam case study or scenario based? Or is the emphasis more on definitions and technicalities?
All of a sudden, worms and crickets seem a tad more palatable.
I was driving and a truck pulled alongside at a stop light. It was a truck with aluminum sides that had vents for circulation. Out of one of the vents was poking a moist, snuffling pig's nose. I felt very sad for this pig, going to his demise, and haven't eaten pork since. Pigs are bright, and like to search in the woods for treats with their marvelous noses. I don't find this entertaining.
Would it make you feel any better if I were to admit that at times I feel like an absolute pr!ck for eating them?
The only good thing about that sandwich is that all the parts of the pig are being utilized. Shame to kill an animal and not utilize every hair on the animals body.
I suppose you would have no problems chewing on a pig's testicles?
Pig snoots, and testicles are main ingredients in Scrapple and the better hot dogs.
You cant be serious ? only an animal straight from the wilds would eat the snout of a pig in a burger... This is a blog by a zionest trying to put down all african american people...it only shows how low they will stoop too to disrespect the Black race of people...
Ohhhhhhhhhh.....my.....
Hey SnotNurger, you must live in a well. All parts of the pig are edible and the snoots deep fried are especially crispy. It's good eating and has nothing to do with ethnicity. Ijut.
Snoots are not crispy because they're deep fried. It snot true.
You do realize that all the "Zionists" probably don't eat pork, so why would writing an article about BBQ be putting down blacks? Going for quite a reach there, aren't we?
Best of luck with that
Maybe in East St. Louis, but not elsewhere in the Metro area. While St. Louis has strong BBQ, it also known for provel cheese, toasted raviolis, and the introduction of many now common foods from the 1904 World's Fair (ice cream cones, hot dogs, cotton candy, Dr. Pepper, etc.).
I hear fried pig anus is deeeelicious.
I've lived in St. Louis for 12 years and have never heard of a snoot sandwich.
This is the most disgusting sandwich I have ever seen – just repugnant. ...and I am a little embarrassed to admit that I would be prejudiced against anyone sick enough to eat it. Arent noses – or snouts or whatever – comprised of all kinds of cartilage?? SICK, im telling you!!
LMAO Bob..i totally agree with you! YYYYYYUUCCKK! Not on my drunkest night!!
@bob. 20 shots of ever clear wouldnt convince you?
I like to call myself "Snoot" because the snoot that I eat isn't part of a pig.
Or is it?
East St. Louis is not St. Louis. That's where we go for the dancing girls etc. but pig snoots? No thanx!
I'll try anything twice, but have to balk on that one.
East St. Louis is " the other side of the river." Called the other side of the tracks in other places St. Louis hasn't really progressed past the 50's when it comes to race or even beer selection. Don't get me wrong, I like St. Louis. Got family there but, it's like stepping back in time. The deep south is more racially integrated.
I am another St. Louisan..lived in St. Louis all my life. I've NEVER heard of a snoot sandwich..until reading this article. I guarantee you most St. Louisan will agree with me...this article is garbage and totally untrue.
I'd sooner eat Rock Hudson.
Nope.
I would eat the snot outta that!
Hooo, we're rollin' now!
Bet nobody nose what kinda pig that came from.
I wouldn't pick it.
Lived in St. Louis all my life and never heard of this one. So don't believe this "ask a local in St. Louis". Here is our true foods...Toasted Ravioli and Pork Steaks. And we are not the South.
Agreed. You'll see toasted ravioli as an appetizer on every menu here. I've never been to a single restaurant that sold pigs nose.
Awwwwww, MAN!.............................seriously? Who "inspired" this, Honey-Boo-Boo?
WTF is wrong with people today?
Never tried it...but looks interesting enough to try at least once.
I grew up in St. Louis and am a KCBS certified BBQ judge. This story is a complete fabrication. No "local" is aware of anything of the sort. In all my years of living in St. Louis and being on the KCBS circuit I have never once heard of this. How this garbage makes CNN is beyond me.
I also grew up in St. Louis, and my family ate snoots all the time. There are actually quite a few BBQ places that sell it (probably more on the East side), but the story is real.
thank goodness, I believed it and was ready to hurl.
I choose to believe Keith.
Believe what you want, they clearyl listed the places where the sandwiches are sold. I didn't say it's the most appealing food to it, but it does exist.
BBQ Snoot, is a St Louis area tradition. Grilled over a 4 foot high pit for about 6-8 hours. They are JUST like a pork rind. If you had pork rind, and like them, you would like a snoot. The picture is a gross misrepresentation of the truth. And CNN should be held for libel. They are delicious and you need to try one. Just let me know and I will take you to the snoot.
Well, I guess if that is the last part of the pig you have to eat then I could , ah . . . on the other hand. Naw. I'm not hungry anymore.
This reminds me to pull out the cow tongue in the freezer and try some cow-tongue tacos this weekend. After all, it is National Taco day.
Never heard of it, but what the heck, I'd try it. Maybe. Okay, no I wouldn't.
Most disgusting thing I've ever seen.
1. St. Louis is NOT the south.
2. Disgusting.
Put the eyeballs in the nostrils on mine!!!
repulsive
Disgusting!!!
These are the same people who vote republican...this sandwich should say it all!!!
You are an idiot.
"1920s, black street vendors hawked snoot sandwiches in Atlanta. By the 1930s, snoots were also sold in Harlem and were a nightlife staple on Memphis's Beale Street" because we all know black folks vote republican....m0r0n...
Wow, trying to politicize bad food? As pointed out it wasa "black" Food. Last I saw Blacks vote religiously for Obama.
Romney 2012 because we need a real leader...
Reel leaders are for fishing poles.
Only if he's a manly snoot-eatin' man.
Voting isn't a religious experience. Some Black people do know how to separate devotion from politics and vote in our best interests.
only about 10%
Wow. You're ignorant. St Louisians *overwhelmingly* vote Democrat. They're a big blue blotch in a big red state.
As much as I absolutely can't stand Cathlo, I mean Republicans... shut up.
This is the funniest post I've seen!
Just a minute ago I was hungry. Now, I've officially lost my appetite.
Disgusting to say the least.
Yep. Totally...Gross.
The south should never have been allowed to invent food of any kind.
Nothing good has ever come of it.
Yeah... nothing good but the greatest music the world has ever known... Jazz, Blues and Rock. We want you to be grossed out so you won't come to the South and ruin it for the rest of us.
Your damn fine music is merely a siren song to lure us Yankee devils to our doom.
Judging from your name, you may want to try Atlanta, New Orleans, and Key West.
Doing anything this weekend?
Memphis, Saint Louis and Harlem hardly count as the South. Try thinky before typee. Americans enjoy a lot of food that's southern.
That is so nasty looking.
Uhhhhh I agree!!! That is really disgusting!!
Probably smells good, though.
It might, if all the boogers are gone.
I see what you did there :) (It used to)
HA! Good job, Keith