Take a trip to hog heaven for National Pork Month

My husband and I were recently taken out to dinner by two dear friends. We went to a true hole-in-the-wall gem that they had never visited (despite years of me raving about it in print and in conversation). Needless to say, as we dug into our scrumptious meals, we all found ourselves reflecting on how nice it would be if life outside could be as simple as the ingredients entering our mouths.

Each stop on this National Pork Month journey takes a single, universally loved ingredient and lets chefs put their spin on it. As they share their signature dish with the masses, we gather around the table and make memories, savoring the joy that comes from a thoughtfully prepared meal. 

In this case, it's pork perfection, bringing a little piece of hog heaven into the chaos of our everyday lives. For just for a moment, let's ham it up, experience a few ribs of joy and stop bacon each other crazy. Let's swine and dine together in piggy bliss.

Photo by Emma Burke Jolly

Easier said than done in our hog wild world.

So let's get this sausage party started, shall we? Here are the spots where I'm headed to have a beer and the best pork plates in town.

Korean SSAM Bar

1303 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota; 941-413-5080; Clover.com/online-ordering-SSAM-bar-sarasota.

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Hogging the Spotlight: This is one of those places that I hesitate to share because I want to keep it to myself and my inner circle. But in honor of National Pork Month, I'm sharing it with my foodie followers. Yup (yep, that's his name!), head of the house and the owner, will take great care of you at the SSAM Bar, which was previously featured in my article about the top five rice bowls you have to try in Sarasota. I will forever urge you to get the bibimbap ($16) with pork, and you will never be disappointed.

Pigtastic Pairing: Come hungry and order the Tteok-Bokki ($10) or a classic kimchi pancake ($13). Then chase it all down with one or two of the fine Terra Korean beers ($5 and up).

Siegfrieds Restaurant & Beergarden

1869 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. 941-330-9330; Siegfrieds-Restaurant.com.

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Hogging the Spotlight: Is it Friday yet? Delivered to Siegfrieds every Friday morning by local legend Geier‘s Sausage Kitchen, this never frozen, never precooked, pork hock is a delicacy that I previously raised my stein to in last year's best places to celebrate Oktoberfest article. The pork, called Schweinshaxe in German, is slow cooked to perfection all day and served with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut and homemade gravy. Due to its massive popularity, you can now preorder yours with your reservation by calling 941-330-9330.

Pigtastic Pairing: If you find yourself at Siegfrieds any day other than Friday, go for the wiener schnitzel original ($27.90) with a side of spaetzle ($5) and a small boot ($13.90) of the Bitburger premium pils from Bitburg, Germany.

Twisted Pit BBQ

8130 Lakewood Ranch Main St., Suite 104; Lakewood Ranch; 941-388-8037; TwistedPitBBQ.com.

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Hogging the Spotlight: You aren't going to have a shortage of pig products to choose from when you enter this Lakewood Ranch Main Street hot spot. From the classic pit-smoked pulled pork sandwich ($15) with apple slaw to the pulled pork mac and cheese or baked potato bowl ($15) to the classic spare ribs meat plate ($16) that comes with one side and cornbread, you'll be rib-tacular in no time. Or try the one-third ($12), two-thirds ($23) or full rack ($32) of those juicy ribs.

Pigtastic Pairing: Time to get tipsy, my swine and lush pals! Signature cocktails at the pit are all $14 and range from a backyard Bloody with a dry rub rim to a Lakewood Ranchwater with tequila and guava puree.