Matching Woods to Proteins
By Naperville Magazine
Appears in the August 2022 issue.
![](https://napervillemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Route38BBQ_800px.jpg)
Chef Eric Feltman, the pitmaster at Route 38 BBQ in Glen Ellyn (682 W. Roosevelt Rd.), believes quality ’cue requires pairing the right woods with the right proteins. Think like a sommelier and cook like a lumberjack. Straight hickory for pork ribs and brisket. Pecan for tips. Oak for his andouille sauce. Applewood for chicken. His combo platters deliver a forest of flavors, each enhanced by gonzo sauces made with everything from watermelon to crushed cinnamon candies. — P.G.
Photo courtesy of Eric Feltman