Best Germantown BBQ Sides to Pair with Your Southern Flames Order in Philadelphia
Ever wondered what to do with leftover ribs?
Finding the best BBQ sides in Philly to complement your smoked meats can transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary feast. Southern Flames BBQ, tucked inside the Market at Fareway at 8221 Germantown Ave, offers much more than its signature brisket, which takes a remarkable 20 hours to perfect. In fact, its carefully crafted side dishes like collard greens, mac and cheese, baked beans, and sweet potatoes deserve equal attention.
Just 10 minutes from Mt. Airy, Roxborough, and Lafayette Hill, this beloved spot has become a destination for BBQ in Philly enthusiasts seeking authentic Southern flavors. Additionally, with all meals priced under $20, it's no wonder that Southern Flames has inspired locals to create their own BBQ-inspired dishes at home.;
Let’s explore how to pair the best BBQ the Philadelphia suburbs offer with sides that elevate your dining experience.
The Art of Pairing: What Goes Best with Each BBQ Meat
Barbecue is a form of culinary jazz.
—Steven Raichlen, Barbecue expert, author, and TV host
The secret to a memorable BBQ experience lies in matching the right sides with your meats. At Southern Flames BBQ, we've mastered these pairings to enhance your dining experience. Let me guide you through the perfect companions for different BBQ meats, Brisket Brilliance
When enjoying our slow-smoked brisket, lighter, acidic sides work best to balance its rich intensity. Coleslaw, with its crisp texture and tangy flavor, cuts through the richness, while creamy potato salad provides a cooling contrast. Sharp, tangy pickles add a bright pop that pairs beautifully with the smoky depth of the brisket. For a complete meal, consider adding BBQ beans, whose sweetness balances the meat's intensity.
Pulled Pork Perfection
Our juicy pulled pork demands sides that complement its versatile flavor profile. Cornbread, with its slightly sweet, crumbly texture, makes an excellent companion – the sweetness enhances the tanginess of our BBQ sauce. Meanwhile, collard greens add an earthy bitterness that contrasts wonderfully with the sweet and tangy pulled pork. For true Southern comfort, mac and cheese offers a rich, indulgent pairing that elevates the pulled pork experience.
Remarkable Rib Companions
For our fall-off-the-bone ribs, we recommend sides offering texture contrast. Grilled corn provides a sweet, smoky flavor that complements the ribs' charred taste. Baked beans, with their sweet, molasses-rich flavor, enhance the smoky, caramelized crust. Consequently, sweet potatoes—whether roasted or mashed – offer natural sweetness that balances the savory richness of our BBQ ribs.
Chicken Side Champions
BBQ chicken pairs beautifully with both light and hearty options. Grilled vegetables keep your plate healthy while complementing the chicken's lighter profile. A refreshing cucumber salad balances smoky and spicy flavors, whereas tangy coleslaw works wonders with the juiciness of our BBQ chicken.
Visit Southern Flames BBQ in Philly to experience these perfect pairings firsthand. We promise the best BBQ sides in the Philadelphia suburbs that will make your taste buds dance!
Perfect Pairings: Choosing the Right Sides for Your BBQ
Creating a balanced BBQ feast isn't just about smoking meat to perfection—it's about orchestrating a symphony of flavors on your plate. At Southern Flames BBQ, we believe the sides you choose can make or break your barbecue experience.
When planning your BBQ feast, consider these essential factors for selecting sides:
Balance hot and cold dishes - Mix warm sides like mac and cheese with refreshing options such as coleslaw or cucumber salad
Consider seasonal produce - Celebrate summer with corn, squash, tomatoes, and other fresh vegetables that naturally complement smoky meats
Think about meal cohesiveness - If you know your main dish will be meat-heavy, balance with vegetarian sides
Prepare for grazing - Choose sides that hold up well as people enjoy food throughout your gathering
The best BBQ sides in Philly offer more than just filling the plate—they create contrast and complement. For instance, or pickled vegetables cut through rich, fatty meats beautifully;acidic sides like tangy vinegar slaw. Similarly, starchy sides like potato salad provide the perfect foundation to balance hearty BBQ fare.
Another consideration is make-ahead magic. Southern BBQ sides like baked beans or cold dips can be prepared days in advance, allowing those complex flavors to develop while freeing you to focus on your smoking technique.
At Southern Flames BBQ in the Philadelphia suburbs, our sides aren't afterthoughts—they're crafted with the same care as our meats. Under Rev. Dr. James H. Buck Jr.'s guidance, we've created sides that complement our meats and also support our mission of building community. 20-hour smoked brisket
Next time you visit us at the Market at Fareway, notice how our sides like collard greens and sweet potatoes reflect Southern tradition while supporting sustainable cooking practices. Moreover, these sides deliver the authentic Southern BBQ experience that's made us a favorite throughout the Philadelphia suburbs.
Don't just fill your plate—create a masterpiece. After all, in the best BBQ tradition, sides aren't just accompaniments—they're essential components of the perfect meal.
Why It Matters: Community, Sustainability, and Flavor
Barbecue is a celebration of culture, a celebration of tradition, a celebration of people.
—Rodney Scott, James Beard Award-winning pitmaster
BBQ is far more than just food at Southern Flames—it's about building connections that nourish both body and community. Throughout generations, the grill has served as a gathering point where friends, family, and neighbors come together in relaxed atmospheres to create lasting memories. At Southern Flames BBQ, Rev. Dr. James H. Buck Jr.'s vision goes beyond serving the best BBQ in Philadelphia suburbs. We believe BBQ creates authentic bonds that strengthen communities. The aroma of our sizzling meats and carefully crafted southern BBQ sides brings people together, fostering conversations and connections that might not happen elsewhere.
Community Building Through Shared Meals
Research shows that being present in the moment BBQ gatherings specifically encourage people to disconnect from digital distractions. This face-to-face interaction is essential in our increasingly online world. During our community events, we've witnessed how sharing food cultivates a sense of belonging and teamwork.
Sustainability at the Heart of Southern Tradition
Our commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our community values. By offering a diverse selection of sides, including fresh vegetables and plant-based options, we reduce our environmental footprint. Furthermore, these varied sides make our BBQ accessible to guests with dietary restrictions [6].
Chef Bob Bennett explains
The sides are almost as important as the barbecue as part of the experience
We couldn't agree more! Our collard greens, sweet potatoes, and other southern BBQ sides not only complement the smoky flavors of our meats but also reflect our commitment to sustainable cooking practices.
When you choose Southern Flames's best BBQ sides in Philly, you're supporting a business that values environmental responsibility and community development. Great food should bring people together while respecting our planet.
By balancing traditional BBQ meats with thoughtfully prepared sides, we create meals that satisfy diverse preferences while honoring the rich cultural heritage of Southern barbecue. This tradition has always reflected various ethnic influences;and brought communities closer together.
Few Last Words..
After all, BBQ is more than just a meal at Southern Flames—it's an experience that brings people together through flavors and tradition. Throughout this journey of perfect pairings, we've seen how thoughtfully selected sides transform ordinary BBQ into extraordinary culinary adventures. Whether you're enjoying our 20-hour smoked brisket with tangy coleslaw or savoring fall-off-the-bone ribs alongside sweet potatoes, these combinations create harmony on your plate.
The next time you crave authentic Southern BBQ, remember that the sides deserve just as much attention as the smoked meats. Previously, you might have overlooked these complementary dishes, but now you understand their crucial role in creating a balanced meal. Most importantly, every bite at Southern Flames supports our mission of strengthening community bonds through shared dining experiences.
Visit us at the Market at Fareway, just minutes from Mt. Airy, Roxborough, and Lafayette Hill, to discover firsthand why our BBQ has become a local favorite. We'd love to hear which pairings become your favorites as you explore our menu of smoked perfection and Southern-inspired sides. Until then, happy eating, Philly BBQ lovers!