When it comes to the Top 20 list, I mentioned the other day that, “I have a rule … once the final list is published, it doesn’t change.” Well, it is a good thing … because The Smokehouse really struggled in our return trip to the festival.

Now, to be clear, the pig slider and beef brisket were both out-of-this-world outstanding in March. I’m not shy to admit that, over the course of that long weekend, I had …

… three helpings of each. They were just that good. This time around, however, they each paled in comparison to March.

We had the brisket first. Mrs. All in WDW liked hers (although, it was about half the size of what we received in March), but mine was a fatty disappointment. They were small servings, and the quality wasn’t worth the purchase price. Oh, the collard greens were still tasty, and the jalapeno cornbread still “rocked”, but the main course was a big ‘dud’.

It prompted my lovely wife to remind me that it depends on the cut of meat and it depends on the chef. In principle, it was still a great dish, but, this time, it was poorly executed. Proving her right, however, the next day, Rick Howard just loved the helping he had when we met up with him at The American Adventure. He claimed that it was much better than when he had eaten it earlier in the festival. Go figure!

Sadly, the pig slider – the 2013 “Food” & Garden Festival “Champion” – fell just as flat. We agreed that the pork tasted a bit over-cooked. In fact, I would almost say it tasted a bit burnt. Did it have something to do with it being smoked in a different way … or for a longer time? I don’t know, but there was a noticeable difference in its taste when compared to the several portions I had back in March.

I know that color doesn’t necessarily ‘tell the tale’, but you’ll have to trust me. April’s portion just wasn’t as good. And, to be fair to the ‘champ’, we tried it twice. It tasted a little scorched each time. So, if the slider (#1) and brisket (#2) fared so poorly in our second trip to The World, should they really retain their lofty perches?

I would have to say ‘yes’. First, we sampled each dish several times in March, and, back then, they were both consistently fantastic. Second, to fall out of the Top 2 spots, China’s spring pancake and Florida’s shrimp ‘n grits would have to be good enough to “ascend the throne”. I really loved those two dishes, but I just can’t see them leap-frogging over March’s pig and beef.

In the end, folks, even with their weaker April offerings, The Smokehouse still rules!