BLUE SMOKE BBQ

This American Brisbane institution makes the best chilli buffalo wings in Queensland and what better a night to feast than on US election night 2008. I hoped to attempt their infamous 3rd Degree. Fortunately on this historic night, I was not disappointed.

Previously at Blue Smoke BBQ…

Wednesday is half-price wings night and this is what 110 chicken wings (27.5 chickens) looks like. The red ones are Blue Hot, the rest are Original (the progression from mildest to hottest being Original – Blue Hot – 3rd Degree). On this particular night they had no 3rd Degree. In retrospect we were very thankful. We were more chicken than human that night.

Flash forward…

We arrived and asked the all important question, “Can you do 3rd Degree wings tonight?”. “Yes we can” they replied.

Is it not beautiful? It brought tears to my eyes.

This is when I decided to let the photos do the talking (because I sure couldn’t any more).

I experimented and learned a few things that night.

Don’t drink water to null the pain. It only spreads it around. Rather sustain the pain so that it eventually nullifies itself. You don’t want to constantly fluctuate between pain and relief. Breathe out as much as possible, not in. Breathing in can be as bad as drinking water. Don’t try to eat as quickly as possible in an attempt to beat the heat. You won’t and it may cause the chilli to reach places it wouldn’t normally reach, such as the top back of your throat. Once the chilli lands there you’re finished. Finally, wash thoroughly and repeatedly. Refrain from touching anything sensitive for the next few hours as whatever you’ll touch will share the memory of your pain. You may think it’s safe to do so but it’s not. Trust me on this.

The next morning I experienced something I had never experienced before. My fingers felt like they were on fire. The same three fingers I used to handle the chicken the night before. Had I unlocked my superpower? Unfortunately no. It would wear off as the day wore on, but it was okay… for something far more important had changed…

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Blue Smoke BBQ
Shop 9/85 Merthyr Road
New Farm, Queensland, Australia

Prices: Entrees $9 – $19; Mains $18 – $47; Desserts $9
Hours: Monday: Closed; Sunday, Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30am – 9:00pm; Friday – Saturday: 11:30am – 10:30pm

Phase 2 is complete. It’s close. Oh so close…