Pig Roast? YOUR Opinions, please!

[AKL_Megs]

Have you ever had a pig roast?

Our neighbors, her sister and brother-in-law (they also live down our street), and my husband and I are planning our First Annual Pig Roast.

All three families would invite people, and we'd have an open house at our house (where the grills will be), and our neighbors house (where games would be, perhaps.)

I'm starting to rethink the pig roast idea... It is about $200 to rent the roaster, and another $200 for the pig! That's $400, and we haven't bought ANYTHING else yet!

Not only that, you can't just offer HAM, can you? We'd probably have to make some chicken and/or veggie skewers for those who don't want pork.

A BBQ sounds cheaper and easier... we can have three grills going, one with chicken and veggies, one with hot dogs and hamburgers, and another with corn on the cob, etc. We had a BBQ of hamburgers, corn, potato salad, chips, and beer this weekend, and it was only $50, and fed 10 people!

Either way, we'd have the standard sides... potato salad, macaroni salad, salad salad, chips, beans, watermelon, etc.

If you've ever done one, please tell me about it. If not, tell me which one you'd rather do, or attend.

Thanks!

 

[FireDancer]

One of my friend's parents have a combination pig roast and clam bake every fall. They have a caterer that comes out with the clam steamer and pig cooker and they do all the setup, cooking, and cleanup. I have no idea what it costs but they don't ask for any money, just that we bring something to eat or drink.

It is a lot of fun and we look forward to it every year. It is an all day thing with people from our parent's age down to little kids. We play volleyball, horseshoes, cornhole, and once it gets dark we have a bonfire. It starts at noon and usually ends around 3 or 4 the next morning.

I would most definitely say the pig roast is the more fun out of the two but in all honesty it is all about being with our friends so if it turned into a barbecue instead it would still be a lot of fun I'm sure.

 

[jen0610]

We have two set of friends that do annual cook out - one is a BBQ and the other is a Hog Roast.

The BBQ is burgers, dogs, brats, and ribs. They buy it, they fix it all. They buy the pop and ice. They buy all the plates and plastic wear. All other food is carry in.

The Hog Roast is stricktly that. They have on hand a couple dozen hot dogs for kids, but there is no other major meat choise. They do the same as the BBQ group - they buy the meat, pop, ice, plates and plastic wear and everybody else contributes as a carry in. I know that there have been a couple of times, when someone brought a crockpot full of meatballs or a mexican meat and bean dish that would give you another "meat" option, but if you don't like hog or hot dogs, you pretty much were left with whatever sides were brought.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

We have done a pig roast the last 7-8 years. The butcher near us will roast the pig for $50 extra and we pay the per pound costs for the pig. My husband then takes it apart and all the meat goes into chafing dishes with chicken broth. T
he chafing dishes with the sterno keep it hot all day and all that needs to be done is to replenish the cold salad items (macaroni, potato, pasta). I make a big crock pot of baked beans and grill a few hamburgers/hot dogs for the people (or kids) who do not want or like pork. It is such a relaxing picnic since there is no grilling all day long.

 

[luvsJack]

My ex-in laws used to do a pig roast once or twice a year. Everyone chipped in together to buy the pig and then everyone brought side dishes and desserts. Because it was such a large event they had it at a local lake so nothing but the meat was really served hot. LOTS of fun. Lots of games were set up to play and of course just having fun being together all day.

Now this was an actual pig "cooked in the ground", like in the Hank Jr. song. They would dig a hole, line it with something and then fill with, I guess, wood or something and they would cook this thing like 12 hours or more.

 

[ilovejack02]

LOVE pig roasts . Just had all the burgers and fixings last weekend don't want to have that again anytime soon.

 

[PatsGirl]

Pig roasts are pretty common around here. Usually the host provides the pig, paper goods, a 1/2 keg and soda for the kids and non-drinkers, everyone else brings a side dish. Like someone else said, a few people end up bringing another meat dish because someone in their family doesn't like ham. I'm in the minority that thinks a host doesn't HAVE to provide a food that everyone likes, lol. If you don't like ham, feel free to bring finger sandwiches as a side. There is usually SOOOOO much food that if anyone goes hungry, well, there's always that one person who doesn't like soda, beer, anything with mayo, anything that comes from the sea....some people you just can't please

So, yes, I vote for a pig roast. For another $100 you can supply the beer, soda, and paper goods. Trust me, ask everyone to bring a side of their choice and you will have plenty of food to go around and very little work

 

[golfgal]

YOu can probably find a caterer to do the hog roast for less then what it would cost to rent the roaster and buy the pig. Some friends did a hog roast several years ago, they are hog farmers, roasted the pig in a pit in their yard. They said it was really good but a LOT of work. Call around to some caterers.

 

[SandrA9810]

I've been to two pig roasts. One was on the family farm (where my cousin raised pigs, so that was free). This was on an open fire all day. The other was at a Cuban wedding, where the pig was smoked in the ground all day. I do remember them tasting different, but I don't know which one I liked more.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Thanks everyone! We will look into the catered deal... although the husband was hell bent on doing it himself... I doubt he realizes it's an ALL DAY thing!

 

[Kimmumum]

My cousins and uncles do several hog roasts every year themselves. They don't seem to think it's a big deal. They supply the drinks and pig. Everyone else brings a side or dessert. Some of the pig gets bbq sauce and some doesn't. They don't provide any other meat.

Have a great time. We went to one in June and have another one in August

 

[acejka]

My best friend had a pig roast at her wedding, her family is southern and laid back,BEST WEDDING MEAL EVER!

A big truck came with everything and cooked it right there. I think the pig was roasted beforehand though. They split him open there though... OMG my mouth is watering thinking about it.

 

[Kimberly]

I love pig roasts so much! I had no idea they were so expensive though. I would definitely arrange it so that everyone brings sides with them, to help defray the costs of the roast.

 

[Magic Mom]

Thanks everyone! We will look into the catered deal... although the husband was hell bent on doing it himself... I doubt he realizes it's an ALL DAY thing!

It'll be fun! The guys can roast the pig and play horseshoes or corn hole or whatever. Make it a BYOB to cut your costs a little. I've been to both pig roasts and bull roasts and they are lots of fun. It sounds like a great annual thing to start with your neighbors. Don't forget to invite me!

 

[design_mom]

I am going to be the dissenting voice. I do not like pig roasts. Seeing the whole roasted pig disgusts me. I don't want to see it still looking like a pig. (admittedly, I prefer to think of my meat as coming from the grocery store in nice cellophane packages.)

If you invited me to your pig roast, I would not expect you to provide another meat option... But I'd rather go to a barbecue!

 

[AKL_Megs]

It'll be fun! The guys can roast the pig and play horseshoes or corn hole or whatever. Make it a BYOB to cut your costs a little. I've been to both pig roasts and bull roasts and they are lots of fun. It sounds like a great annual thing to start with your neighbors. Don't forget to invite me!

Of COURSE you are invited!

It's funny, H () has been building a corn hole game for, oh, about two years maybe this will light a fire and he will finally finish it so we can play it!

 

[Tinkermommy]

One of my friend's parents have a combination pig roast and clam bake every fall. They have a caterer that comes out with the clam steamer and pig cooker and they do all the setup, cooking, and cleanup. I have no idea what it costs but they don't ask for any money, just that we bring something to eat or drink.

It is a lot of fun and we look forward to it every year. It is an all day thing with people from our parent's age down to little kids. We play volleyball, horseshoes, cornhole, and once it gets dark we have a bonfire. It starts at noon and usually ends around 3 or 4 the next morning.

I would most definitely say the pig roast is the more fun out of the two but in all honesty it is all about being with our friends so if it turned into a barbecue instead it would still be a lot of fun I'm sure.

What the heck is cornhole??

I think the pig roast sounds fun. You could do a luau themed party. Anyone hula dance?

 

[C.Ann]

Honestly? I don't like them.. I went to one - and never again.. It was the "real deal" - pig on a stick, apple stuck in it's mouth, over a huge pit.. One look and I quickly lost my appetite..

I'll stick with the things that I don't see cooking "whole": burgers; hot dogs; steaks; ribs; chicken thighs or breasts; etc..

Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

[Kimberly]

What the heck is cornhole??

I think the pig roast sounds fun. You could do a luau themed party. Anyone hula dance?

Cornhole is very similar to horseshoes! I was about to type a long explanation, but it really is basically the same thing.

 

[luvsJack]

Its not a "look" that is for everyone, that is for sure. And I seem to remember a not so appetizing smell?

The ones I went to the meat was more or less shredded by the time we actually ate and they would put bbq sauce on the plate of meat. My mil would keep leftovers and heat it up with sauce the next day to make sandwiches. Really good.