Popa does not concur with many cholent makers.
Popa thinks that the makings of a good cholent are:
Simplicity,
Time,
Flanken.
Simplicity: Just put in potatoes, barley, beans, onion, flanken ends, salt, pepper, garlic. v’zehu.
Time: Put it up thursday night.
Flanken: Buy flanken ends (they’re relatively cheap). If you can’t find those, then get neck bones and also add some oil.