What State Has The Best BBQ? Texas? North Carolina?

[taquinas101]

I am thinking about going on food oriented vacation sometime to the South. I've done the best pizza pilgramage: New York versus Chicago? I personally prefer New York pizza. One of these days, I'd like to take a trip through the South, which all my friends who are from South say has the best BBQ. These are the suggestions:

1. Tennessee;
2. Texas;
3. North Carolina (best pork shoulder sandwiches?); and
4. Alabama.

What's your thought? Whose cuisine reigns supreme? Which state in the Union knows how to handle a grill? Any suggestions as to particular BBQ joints would be much appreciated, particularly if they are near a major city.

[andino]

1. Alabama

hands down.....

[GumboYaYa]

27. Bama is often overlooked in the annals of great barbeque.

I have to agree with you. Three or four of the best barbeque joints I have ever eaten at are in Alabama. The Brick Pit in Mobile may be the best barbeque ever.

[Richardo]

32. Primarily the vinegar-based (not tomato) sauce in Alabama, right?

That takes some getting used to for us tomato-based life forms.

[trof]

65. Thanks. Gotta try it.

Sonny's and Dreamland suck, at least around here.

[taquinas101]

72. Dreamland sucks?

Thats the place that everyone tells me is a must visit. Has it always sucked, or has it just gone down in quality?

[bookman]

2. Texas

..Brisket, Ribs, Sausage, Pulled Pork.

I can let you know about a terrific place.

[vptpt]

3. I say Tennessee

But maybe I'm biased because that's where I live. There's a barbecue restaurant not too far from me which is supposed to be one of the best in the country. They have limos parked out front fairly often. I've never been too impressed with their barbecue though. But what do I know.

[minkyboodle]

4. North Carolina

I'm a sucker for the vinegar based stuff....

[bleedingheart]

9. I will second North Carolina

I too like the peppery vinegar barbeque!

[SCDem]

16. Third for North Carolina

ummmm! Makes me want to have BBQ this weekend!

[pagerbear]

33. Might have to make another road trip

My parents in Wilmington live very near a place with great eastern NC BBQ

[Insider]

38. carolina, with plenty swite tie

please ma'am.

[jayavarman]

51. #4 for NC

Love that lexington bbq

[Mike Daniels]

54. North Carolina hands down

I couldn't believe my luck when I found this road side place in Alexandria, VA that served it by the pint, quart, etc.

I could eat that stuff all day.

There's a good Texas style joint in DC that makes great brisket as well.

[minkyboodle]

61. hey Mike

Do you remember the name of the place in Alexandria that sold it by the pint etc... I would be eternally in your debt if you could pass it on. mmmmmm BBQ

[Catholic Sensation]

59. North Cackalacky

we have two styles (western and eastern, though everyone associates eastern as north carolina's only style), and they're both excellent. I may be a bit biased though :D

[Bridget Burke]

5. I'm partial to Texas barbecue

But the other regions just have different styles. To truly judge, you ought to make a grand tour & try them all.

If you can just try one state, Texas also has Tex-Mex, Hi-Class Mexican, Immigrant Mexican, Cajun, Creole, Southern, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, etc. Plus some interesting combinations of the above.

Robb Walsh, food critic for The Houston Press, has written extensively about barbecue. Here's his guide to places in the Houston area: http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2003-05-01/feature.html
And some historical background: http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2003-05-01/feature.html

He's also got a lot to say about Tex-Mex.

[mosin]

40. Diversity & Texas Barbecue

Good post!

I'm right there with you on the Texas barbecue. You have to love diversity!

[taquinas101]

73. Which states are into dry rub and which are into sauce?

I personally prefer BBQ with dry rub, and someone told me, but I forgot, which states specialize in what.

[Blue-Jay]

6. Tennessee

Memphis, in particular. Although I do miss Lil Porgy's in Champaign, IL. Anyone know if that place is still in business?

[Whitacre D_WI]

7. Go to Memphis for pork, Texas for beef.

Eastern areas of North Carolina have the most wonderful vinegar (not tomato) based sauce; up in the mountains, it's smokey tomatoey stuff.

You gotta check out Kansas City, though.

[joeybee12]

8. According to sage Joe Bob Briggs, it's Texas, and ONLY Texas

What's he up to these days?

[Bridget Burke]

17. Here's his website; you might be surprised.

President Bush said it was unrealistic to expect Palestinian statehood by 2005 because the region is too unstable, thereby backing off the pre-arranged date and infuriating Arab leaders. Asked about his other deadline, June 30th, the day of Iraqi statehood, he said that he sees no problem with that one, that place is totally under control.

www.joebobbriggs.com/

(Don't worry--he's also up to plenty of silliness; a true Renaissance man.)

[tsakshaug]

10. Eastern NC

Western NC is too tomato based. Eastern is the good stuff. I would still take Western NC over just about any other.
Make sure you look your server in the eye when you ask for UNsweetend ice tea.

[pagerbear]

31. Yes!

Yes! Yes!!!!!!!

[Lex]

57. I was born & raised in eastern NC

so I'm partial to eastern NC barbeque.

It is the finest in all the land. I've traveled many, many places and sampled barbeque, and eastern NC still has the best thing going.

Which is not to say that other places don't have fine barbeque as well.

[Champ]

11. My Grill

Hands down. :)

[AngryAmish]

12. BBQ should be pork and only pork

Folks keeping kosher are screwed, unfortunately.

Texas tends to be beef brisket. So Texas is off the list.

North Carolina or Memphis for me. I switch back and forth.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

75. Yeah, I live in TX now and I don't get the brisket thing. I mean, it's OK

but compared to some really good pulled pork? Or pork ribs? Whaddya think this is, amateur hour? :shrug:

[EstimatedProphet]

13. Missouri

Go to Kansas City for ribs-beef ribs

[woofless]

36. Second. KC has the BEST barbecue

and the town is a lot of fun too. A trip to Gates' BBQ then drinks in Westport is the way to go.

[johnnie]

14. The best in Memphis

The Rendezvous. I went there last year for the first time (Although I have been in Memphis a few other times) and they have some great BBQ.
http://www.hogsfly.com/index_main.html

Everyone seems to think they have the best in their state or whatever, but half of the people who yap about it probably don't know what BBQ is. Not that I am an expert, but I notice a lot of people like to think they are the best cooks in the world.

Anyway...if you get to Memphis, check that place out. I think you will like it.

[Mr.Green93]

15. There is no bad BBQ

You all are making me hungry

[tjwash]

18. Kansas

Kansas City chiefs fans put on THE best BBQ before a game I have ever had before or since.

[BurtWorm]

19. Arkansas!

Anyone who's been to Hot Springs might be able to tell me the name of that famous ribs place--McLarens? McLures? It ain't McDonald's, that's fer damn sure!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

20. BRAZIL, dammit

Maybe Argentina comes close.

[ProfessorGAC]

21. You Didn't Answer The Question

The question was state, not country. Which state in Brazil? Then, you'll have answered the question, and still get to brag about great Brazillian BBQ.
The Professor

[supernova]

22. Technicality!

I would love to try Braizilian and Argentinian BBQ, from whatever state. And JCCyC reminds us that BBQ is a New World invention, not an exclusively American one.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Yeah, But I Want To Know

I want to know which state in Brazil has the best BBQ. I've been there, probably going back, and i just gotsta know!
The Professor

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

28. Easy

Rio Grande do Sul. Although the techniques are applied everywhere.

[ProfessorGAC]

29. Darn It!

My trips take me to Salvador! I do agree that the food in Brazil is outstanding! Everything i've ever had there is excellent.
The Professor

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

35. Any nice-looking rodízio joint should be just as good no matter where (nt)

[bearfan454]

23. Texas has the best bbq.

Several places in the Austin area. County Line, Green Mesquite, Ironworks, Pokey Joes, and many, many, more.

[Richardo]

24. ...and Goode Company in Houston

The County Line here (in NW Houston) is really below par. x(

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

76. Hey what's that down home place near UT Austin that serves mutton,

they have all the pics of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Hollywood Henderson there, basically a shack run by an African American family. Love that mutton. Is it Sam's?

BTW Iron Works is awesome too, and County Line.

[bearfan454]

82. I believe it is Stubbs.

They have live music too. Yes it was Stevie Ray's favorite bbq place too.

[DS1]

26. Who cares? BBQ is mostly shite

[Richardo]

30. But as shite goes it's the best tasting shite around.

:9

[Champ]

70. Right On!!!

I most certainly agree. :9

[Bridget Burke]

39. That may be true in Massachusetts.

Up there, I'd stick to Italian food or seafood.

[DS1]

41. I've had BBQ in Texas and North Carolina. Region is irrelevant.

BBQ sauce sucks, keep it the fuck away from my food.

[minkyboodle]

44. Region is irrelevant???

BBQ Sauce in North Carolina bears almost no resemblance to BBQ sauce in Memphis or parts of Texas... you may dislike them both but i gotta say region can make a big difference for type of flavor

[Bridget Burke]

50. In Texas, the sauce is usually on the side.

The brisket (or ribs or pork or chicken or duck or jalapeno sausage) gets most of its flavor from the smoking process.

[minkyboodle]

62. the smoke flavor and a good rub

is what great BBQ is all about.

[taquinas101]

74. Shite?!?!? Arrrghh, no vegans allowed!

[XNASA]

34. By what definition? For instance, Texas BBQ isn't really BBQ.

It's smoked meats.

Having lived in Texas myself, I can honestly say that I love smoked brisket and chicken and especially grilled smoked sausage. But it's my experience that the food referred to as BBQ, in Texas, is not BBQ at all. It's smoked meats with sauce on the side.

BBQ must have BBQ sauce slathered on repeatedly so that it becomes sticky and gets carmelized. When you eat it, the sauce must get all over your face and hands. That's BBQ. But that's not what it's like in Texas.

My vote.........Memphis style BBQ, followed by St. Louis-style, then Chicago-style. So make that......

Tennessee
Missouri
Illinois, in that order.

[Zolok]

37. Massachusetts

ALL other states are wretched fawning places compared to wonder and fire of our barbeque...

:)
www.chimesatmidnight.blogspot.com

[Padraig18]

42. Chicago!

Best BBQ in the US! :D

[XNASA]

43. Shhhhhhhh.........

We Chicagoans (or in your case, Illinoisians) need to stop boasting so much and just enjoy our slice of Paradise.

We've got the best food, the best schools, the best architecture and the best arts and entertainment in the country. Hell, you couldn't even find a Repuke here if you tried.

Let's keep it our little secret.

;-)

[Taverner]

45. Sorry Texas hands down

As was explained by Pagerbear here earlier...NC BBQ isn't really BBQ per se (my words not his) as it involves stewing meat in BBQ sauce.

Texas uses the BBQ, however...that is the grill.

Now I'm sure you can get grill in NC, but what I've had in Texas with simply a rub and some mesquite compared to glazed to death in NC...I have to say Tejas is mucho mejor.

[minkyboodle]

48. I think

technically BBQ has to be slow cooked (usually smoked) right? Grilling unless over a mild indirect heat isn't "technically" BBQ I guess. I will say the best brisket I have ever had was Texas style. You can get real BBQ in Carolina as the pulled pork is slow smoked before being seasoned with the sauce in many places. Either way its hard to do BBQ wrong and honestly when I'm eating it I don't really care whether it is really BBQ or not :)

[Taverner]

56. I dunno - I just think the requirement for BBQ

Is to BBQ, read grill.

Crock pot is not BBQ ...but what do I know? I'm from Californicatia :)

[minkyboodle]

63. Here is a link with info

http://bbq.about.com/library/weekly/aa121400a.htm
(from the above link)
The debate over the origin of American Barbecue is one that will probably never be resolved. By defining barbecue as a process by which meat is slow cooked over a low fire with smoke opens up the history of barbecue to prehistoric times. As to who gets to claim the origin of American Barbecue, well, wars have been fought over less.

First of all let's separate grilling from smoking. While they may appear similar in equipment and techniques they are very different ways of cooking. Grilling is a hot and fast cooking process, and while you can get the introduction of smoke and fire you don't get the same results that you do from smoking. The smoking of foods is a slow process, sometimes taking more than 24 hours to complete.

Now while people will refer to cooking a steak out on the barbecue, buying a new barbecue grill, or attending a barbecue where hamburgers where served, this isn't barbecue. This is grilling. I do not take sides on which is a better way to cook. Given the time I will typically barbecue, otherwise I grill. Each has it's own virtues.

Moving forward to nail down what true barbecue is, it's time to look at the regional variations. In Texas we have beef, particularly brisket. In the Carolinas we find pork, either whole hogs or pork shoulder. As you start moving towards Kansas City you find ribs, generally pork ribs but beef isn't unheard of. Out in western Kentucky you find Mutton. The thing all these traditions have in common is low cooking temperatures over a long time with the introduction of smoke to flavor and tenderize. They all start out with tough and unruly cuts of meat and end up with tender, pull apart delicacies.

[Taverner]

64. HERESY I SAY!!!! (Matcom help me!)

All heretical blasphemy!

A BBQ MUST HAVE A GRILL, it can have smoke but it must involve a grill.

Matcom - help me out here!

[minkyboodle]

66. LOL

sorry I hit a nerve but I gotta disagree. What makes BBQ come off the bone and be so delicious is slow cooking. Thats why you can use cuts of meat like brisket and pork shoulder that normally wouldn't be so tender.. cause of the slow cooking. Anyway Taverner I say whatever its called enjoy it and happy BBQing :)

[underpants]

46. Virginia

Why deal with some low rent Carolinians when you can have Virginian*.

*Only menat to imply my step-father's BBQ (made with Sauer's) which is EASILY the best I have ever had.

[KamaAina]

47. The true dark horse: Hawai'i

Yes, you can get decent mainland-style 'cue out here, especially near the military bases (Molly's Smokehouse in Wahiawa, near Schofield, is well-thought of), but our contribution to the national 'cue dialogue is definitely Korean-style BBQ.

The sauce is soy-based, not tomato or vinegar (though we do have another vinegar-based dish, Filipino-style adobo): somewhat teriyaki-like. The meat can be ribs (kal bi) or thinly sliced beef (bul go gi); most places do chicken, too.

There is even a chain of Yummy Korean BBQ on O'ahu, about twenty in all. Me's in Waikiki is good enough that local people actually drive in to Waikiki to get it (most locals wouldn't drive to Waikiki for the Second Coming :-) ).

[taquinas101]

77. I love Kalua Pig, But I'm Not Sure Its BBQ . . .

since the pig is slow cooked and burried under banana leaves and hot rocks. Korean-style BBQ also rocks.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

78. The Korean versions rock. Those are some meat loving mofos. n/t

[minkyboodle]

49. my write in

As I don't find myself down south much anymore I'd like to give an honorable mention to Baltimore MD. You used to be able to find great little smokehouse stands all over the city in the summer time. Good in a pinch!!!

[Servo300]

52. Missouri!

[ACK]

53. Memphis according to taste contest held by Travel Channel

Personally, I say GA because it blended Carolina styles with a touch of Memphis. Boyd's BBQ is Statesboro Ga.

Less religious I believe.

However, on a taste test held by the Travel Channel Memphis won in a landslide.

_

[Kazak]

55. Kansas City, without a doubt.

Can't believe no one has mentioned it yet...

On edit: Oops, my bad, I see it now.

[Shrek]

58. Johnson County, Kansas

Just outside Kansas City.

[lpbk2713]

60. Massachusetts

Best BBQ I ever had was from a shack down near Cape Cod. Best cole slaw too.

[Renew Deal]

67. I had some good BBQ in TN and Alabama.

[bobbieinok]

68. there's a Barbeque place in Ames IA that some in NC etc say is best

so I've been told

[Blue_Tires]

69. KC...no contest

I would sooner eat out of a dumpster behind one of Kansas City's finer dining establishments than eat whatever those four states listed call 'cue

[put out]

71. What you said.

KC barbecue is...too good for my feeble words.

[ACK]

80. Arthur Bryant is passable but the pork is slice Masterpeice's sux

It just does sorry.

If you mix the savory original Bryant's sauce with the sweet Bryant's sauce it almost made me happy.

Sorry Memphis and the Deep South. The Carolina folk are too crazy religious about their sauces. You got to South GA and its still vinegary but it is ketchup based and very nice.
_

[taquinas101]

79. California - Maybe not the best in Union, but here's the best . . .

I've had in Southern California in the following order:

1. Burrell's - Santa Ana, CA - North Carolina style BBQ in dilapidated hall in the wall. Burrell's also runs a successful catering business. Check out the photos in the place of him with Michael Jackson, Tom Bradly, Death Row Records, etc.

2. Tulsa Rib Company - Orange, CA - Maybe not BBQ per se, but best ribs I've ever had. I've never been able to go to a Tony Roma's chain since.

3. Johnny Rebs - Orange, CA - Yes, another southern joint in Southern California. The hush puppies are amazing.

Yes, I know these joints are wannabe NC/Tex/Oklahoma, places, but what do you want, California style BBQ? What the hell is that?

[solinvictus]

81. Alabama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These damned Tennessee Yankees can't make pork BBQ to save their lives. Like the Yankees, the call the meat "pulled", put coleslaw on sandwiches, and you CAN NOT ORDER chopped or sliced, inside or outside meat. Further, they have the audacity not to offer lemon ice box pie for desert.

Best BBQ in Birmingham is at Carlisle's on 4th Avenue South, Pat James Full Moon, or Dmitri's in Homewood.