More than a decade ago, the first BBQ spot we visited on Berks County Eats was a small roadside trailer called Muddy’s. It was the standard that we measured all over BBQ by – both in terms of its unique location and the delicious food.
Unfortunately, Muddy’s is now long-gone. But from Hillbilly BBQ’s trailer near Douglassville to Backwoods Brothers and their Texas-style ‘cue in Hamburg to the ever-growing Stampede BBQ on the way to Morgantown, there is still great BBQ to be found in all corners of Berks County.
And it’s the Messy Pig that anchors western Berks.
Though it has a permanent location in Womelsdorf, The Messy Pig primarily operates as a food truck, bringing its smoked meats to locations and events through Berks and Schuylkill Counties. Check their Facebook page to find out “wtf – where’s the food?”.
The Messy Pig brand debuted in 2020, run by the namesake of the former Darryl’z in nearby Stouchsburg. Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to try many of their delicious offerings.
Our most recent visit came in early March during the annual Presto event at Fleetwood High School. The annual fundraiser for the school district’s music program brings in five or more food trucks and stands every year, and the Messy Pig has been one of the anchors, offering the largest menu of any of the participants.
The line was long but 15 minutes later I was at the front and soon I had my sandwich in hand as I filled a couple containers with sauce, of which there are a dozen flavors to choose from.
I ordered the Texas style brisket sandwich which came topped with coleslaw and onion tanglers. The brisket was very good, and the hefty roll was piled high with slabs of tender, moist brisket. The ends have a nice peppery after taste that I really enjoyed.
Normally, I prefer slaw on pulled pork rather than brisket, but I really like the Messy Pig’s vinegary coleslaw and the notes it adds to the meat.
The Messy Pig also does a great job with its pulled pork. Like the brisket, pulled pork sandwiches come piled high with meat – they definitely don’t cheat you on the portions. I got the Plain Porker for mine, which as the name suggests, comes without any toppings, but their namesake Messy Pig sandwich is worth trying. It’s pork topped with cheese, slaw, pickles and jalapenos.
The hardest part on my visits is choosing which of their sauces to get, which is why I always end up with at least two little cups of sweet sauce.
One other underrated aspect of the Messy Pig is that they serve Guers iced tea, a must-have for me every time I am at their stand.
As much as we enjoy the food, we love their prices. Sandwiches top out at $12 each (for brisket) and platters, which come with mac and cheese and either slaw or beans, are under $20.
Brisket, pork, chicken, sausage: the Messy Pig has you covered. Just ask “wtf” to find them.
BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Service: Good
Price: $$
