There's a certain kind of energy that only comes from fire meeting food. It's not just about cooking - it's a performance, a test of skill, a return to something primal. You smell the smoke before you even see the flames, and when you do, the anticipation kicks in. That was the scene at Hank's Filling Station in Norfolk, where the pitmasters turned a simple evening into a spectacle of open-fire cooking.
At the center of it all? Thick, bone-in Tomahawk Ribeye Steaks, each one a feast in itself, seared and crackling over an open flame. And standing proudly beside them, Beer Can Chickens - golden-skinned, juicy, and infused with just the right hint of smoke. This wasn't a backyard barbecue. It was an art form, perfected by hands that know exactly how to handle heat, smoke, and time.
The Heart of Live Fire Cooking at Hank's
There's something about watching meat sizzle over an open flame that pulls people in. It's instinctual, like gathering around a campfire. That's the magic of live fire cooking - it's not just about the meal, it's about the experience.
The Tomahawk Ribeye, A Cut That Commands Attention
If there was ever a steak that could stop a conversation mid-sentence, it's the Tomahawk Ribeye. The moment it hit the grill at Hank's, all eyes were on the fire. This wasn't a modest cut meant to be plated with a polite side of asparagus and a wedge of lemon. This was a showstopper - thick as a lumberjack's forearm, with a bone handle that turned each steak into a centerpiece.
Beer Can Chicken Done Right, the Pitmaster's Way
There's a reason Beer Can Chicken has become a backyard classic. It's the kind of dish that turns heads, not just for the spectacle of a whole bird perched on a can, but for the way it delivers unreal tenderness. Done right, the skin crisps up to a deep golden brown while the meat stays unbelievably juicy. It's a simple method, but at Hank's, the pitmasters took it to another level.
The Sizzle, The Smoke, The Show
Live fire cooking is about the show, the sizzle, the dance between heat and patience. It's the kind of experience that pulls people in, keeps them watching, and has them talking long after the last bite. At Hank's Filling Station, the pitmasters weren't just cooking - they were putting on a performance, and the fire was the star of the night.
Why Live Fire Cooking at Hank's is an Experience You Can't Miss
There's something about the combination of fire, smoke, and perfectly aged meat that makes a meal feel less like dinner and more like an event. That's exactly what happened at Hank's Filling Station. This wasn't about rushing through a meal, snapping a quick photo, and moving on. It was about slowing down, feeling the warmth of the flames, and watching true craftsmen at work. It was about the way the air smelled of hickory and charred fat, the way the fire licked at thick steaks, and the way the skin of the Beer Can Chicken crackled and split, revealing the juicy perfection underneath.
That's it for today's episode of Life In Motion! If you liked this, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel [Life In Motion] (https://www.youtube.com/@kplifeinmotion) and follow me on Instagram [@kplifeinmotion] (https://www.instagram.com/kplifeinmotion/) for more real talk on Music 🎧 Food 🍴 Travel 🚅 Baseball ⚾ Both links are available in the description below.
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📷 images credit: Keith Parnell
