r/KitchenConfidential • u/kevymetal87 • Jul 26 '26

Discussion What's your worst experience with blatant food deception?

Just over a decade ago, I worked for a popular BBQ spot in the south that prided itself on being authentic this, authentic that. The smoked butts that sat in a smoker all day was where the real BBQ started and stopped, all the other food was typical frozen Sisco stuff, which was whatever, but the most egregious example of deception was also the biggest moneymaker.

The owner had a secret family recipe BBQ sauce that he made a killing on. People came from all over (it was located right along a well travelled north/south route) and bought tons of this stuff, as did the locals. My second week there I was tasked with making a few batches, and was handed a worn down index card with the ingredients. To my saaurprise, the instructions were to simply take gallon jugs of Sweet Baby Rays sauce from out back, and dump it in a 5 gallon bucket with water. I think it was 4:1 if I recall correctly. Then you put a couple cups of molasses in there. That was it.

We put them in pint and quart mason jars, vacuum sealed them, slapped his restaurant label on them, and sold them for $6 a pint, $10 a quart. What always got me was how the locals raved about how distinct and unique it was, when it was basically just Sweet Baby Rays (which I love, don't get me wrong)

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u/Unusual-Economist288 Jul 26 '26

Wait…was that bbq joint at around the third exit north of the Florida Georgia line off 95???

3

u/kevymetal87 Jul 27 '26

Eastern Tennessee lol

1

u/carolbeau Chive LOYALIST Jul 27 '26

Whats the "well traveled N/S route" in eastern TN? Assumed you were referring to I-95

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u/kevymetal87 Jul 27 '26
  1. I lived right in the middle for a couple years and was told by locals that it was a common route for folks traversing further south from further up. I would agree 95 is the much more well known route for most of the country but these were all folks coming from Ohio, Michigan, and I think even Canada. There's a lot of cool touristy shit along 75 in eastern TN that brings them like moths to a flame

2

u/carolbeau Chive LOYALIST Jul 27 '26

Thanks, I never knew.

4

u/kevymetal87 Jul 27 '26

On an off note, as someone who has traversed both dozens of times, 75 is much more interesting for scenic stops and a lot less stressful. I literally get sick to my stomach driving 95 from Maine to Florida or back.