Every city needs a good barbeque place. In Fort Wayne we are lucky to have a few to help us satisfy our cravings, and one of them just opened a beautiful, much larger, new location on the northeast side of town. Shigs in Pit, a close relative to Mad Anthony’s, a long-time staple in the Fort Wayne food scene, recently opened an additional location on Maplecrest Road. The original restaurant on Fairfield Avenue, just south of downtown, remains. The new location, named Shigs In Pit BBQ & Brew, features a large bar area serving Mad Anthony Brewing Co. beer on tap, a huge dining room and a massive outdoor dining area full of picnic tables and umbrellas for shade. 

While the atmosphere is different from the original location, Shigs In Pit BBQ & Brew offers up the same tasty menu items fans of the original have come to expect with the addition of a few items available exclusively at the new location. The process for ordering is the same, as well: place your order at the counter, take a number and it will be brought to your table when its ready.   

Here are a few favorites from the menu.

BBQ Dinner Plates ($10.99 for one meat, $13.99 for two): For those with a big appetite, this is the way to go. Meat choices include pulled pork, chopped chicken, pit ham, turkey breast and jalapeno cheddar sausage. Customers may also choose beef brisket or burnt ends for an additional $1. Dinner plates also include choice of two sides and garlic toast. I could make a meal just out of the side choices – apple pie baked beans, creamy cole slaw, macaroni salad, green chile mac ‘n’ cheese (my favorite), tomato and cucumber salad, potato casserole, corn spoon bread and Southern green beans. You won’t leave hungry after attacking this meal, but if this doesn’t fill you up, you can add an extra 1/3 pound of meat for $4.59 or a two bone rib sampler for $3.50. 

Shigs Famous Ribs ($11.95 dinner, $14.95 half slab dinner, $22.95 full slab dinner): This meal features Indiana-raised pork spareribs, prepared St. Louis style and rubbed with Shigs’ special seasoning. They are slow-smoked over locally sourced wild cherry hardwood. Rib dinners are served with two sides and garlic toast. I am particularly fond of pork ribs, and these did not disappoint. Smoky, tender and juicy, they fell off the bone with each bite. 

Traditional BBQ Sandwiches: Shigs offers seven “traditional” BBQ sandwiches featuring their meat choices: pulled pork, sliced beef brisket, brisket burnt ends, chopped chicken, turkey breast, pit ham and jalapeno cheddar sausage. All sandwiches are served on a butter-toasted bun, with the option to top with pimento cheese or cole slaw for an additional $1. Sandwiches are a little more my speed. The portions aren’t as large as the dinner options, and the bun helps me keep the mess to a minimum while giving me the opportunity to enjoy the savory goodness of the well-prepared meat. 

I mentioned the large bar area at the new location. The taps rotate regularly, so be sure to check the tap list online for the current offerings. There are over 20 taps available. 

Shigs in Pit has a carry-out only menu as well that features smoked meats by the pound, family-sized sides and carry-out combination meals. They are also well known for their catering menu which can accommodate small to large gatherings. Both menus are available on the website.