For all you BBQ aficianados out there who have been traveling around the country... what's the favorite style of BBQ that you have encountered, and why? ( I know this is almost akin to starting relgious and political wars, so I apologize).
I finally fell in love with it here in Georgia where BBQ is slow-cooked pork, and sauces are mustard based... but I want to broaden my horizons.
One thing I have learned is that BBQ and grilling are two different things... BBQ is low and slow, and grilling is high heat cooking.
Tim
azrving said
02:13 PM Mar 17, 2011
Vinegar Based and Mustard Based are my favorites. Southern boy wouldn't be caught dead eating the "Red BBQ Sauce." We always referred to the red sauce as Yankee BBQ and wouldn't touch it...lol.
I am one of the rare people who does not care for barbecue that much. I have to agree it is better in the southern states.Don't like any kind of beef barbecued but pork or sausage is o.k.
Waggin Tails said
05:49 PM Mar 17, 2011
In Texas BBQ is a verb not a noun. I learned that years ago when I visited North Caroline. On the East coast, BBQ tends to be more a noun than a verb. Slow smoked brisket is king in Texas, next comes ribs and sausage. Of course North Texas BBQ options are somewhat different than South Texas. In my book, anything that can be cooked on a stove can be cooked on a BBQ grill or smoker. I use the term grill and BBQ interchangeable which will probably wrangle a few folks. Tim is correct in that BBQ tends to be low and slow while grilling tends to be high heat. Tonight we had pork loin and broccoli. Yummy!. Strangest thing I've grill? Pizza.
OK, that is probably more than you asked for but I could not resist. Oh - I prefer tomato base to mustard base sauces but I will try anything once or twice.
53 Merc said
08:29 PM Mar 17, 2011
For real BBQ, if you can't make it to Lockhart, TX to the City Cafe, go to New Braunfels, TX to Rudy's. Slow smoked, served with Original Sause, potato salad and white bread. YUM! (BTW, I know how to spell sauce, Rudy don't) And like has been said, brisket is king.
Melstar said
09:36 PM Mar 17, 2011
Ken, you are right about Rudy's.....their brisket is awesome! I've learned to make it almost as good....from a Texan's recipe!
OH MY GOSH! You all have got my mouth watering for some real BBQ (verb or noun)! Can't wait to get on the road and try some from all over!!
Tim & Robyn said
09:11 AM Mar 19, 2011
Whether pork, beef, chicken (haven't tried pizza yet) I like the low and slow BBQ best. It just seems to me that when you grill meat at a high heat it seizes up and never has a chance to relax and become fall-off-the-bone tender, because it will burn first. The smoke flavor comes from the wood of your choice... whatever floats your boat is good with me. I like it all.
Since I started this crazy thread, I'll throw another question out there. What about sauces? Here in Georgia where I live mustard based sauces are the norm for pork, with varying degrees of spiceiness, while sweeter more tomato based sauces are used with beef and chicken. Delicious.
I've only had one experience with North Carolina style BBQ, and the sauce on pork at this place was basically vinegar and hot red pepper flakes. It was good too.
I've never had what they call burnt ends in the Kansas City area, although I once had plenty of opportunity to do so. I'm sorry I never tried it. What do y'all say who have done so? Oh my goodness, there's a southernism (y'all) from someone who was born and raised in Michigan...
injunear said
10:32 AM Mar 19, 2011
Did someone say Bar-B-Q!! Being a well traveled southern boy I like all forms of B-B-Q. Mustard on the southeastern coast, dry rubbed in Menphis and sloppy wet in other places. In Richmond, Va at the Farm House they make a peanut based sauce, Not one of our favorites. Rudy's in Round Rock TX , Sonny's in Ky through Fl, Porky's in SC, and Duke's in Walterboro SC. Tomarow we'll stop at Sonny's in Corbin, Ky on our way to Gatlinburg, TN.
Wayne
TXRVr said
06:34 PM Mar 19, 2011
Tim & Robyn wrote:
I know this is almost akin to starting relgious and political wars, so I apologize.
No need to apologize for starting the civil war all over again.
I have lived in GA and SC where pig BBQ, vinegar and mustard based sauces are the norm. “Pulled Pork BBQ” Is that akin to “Ropin’ a Cow” in those two states? Vinegar is for spinach and mustard is for hot dogs.
I have spent time in K/City and Memphis. The baby back ribs there, even tho pork, are deliciously superb!
From my posting name you can figure on which side of the regional BBQ choice I prefer. BBQ Brisket RULES!
For all those who mentioned Rudy's, Cooper's Bar-b-q Llano, and an place in Lockhart, TX let's get together for a BBQ eating fest. I'm buying!!!
Waggin Tails said
07:30 PM Mar 19, 2011
Tim, my trick on the grill is high heat for searing, then low heat for finishing. This works for my fork tender Ribeye or Sirloin steaks. Same goes for the Pork Loin.
Other super BBQ places on the road is City Meat Market in Giddings (Highway 77@290), or Sonny Bryan's in Dallas, or Beef and Bun Barbecue in Houston on Long Point.
53 Merc said
06:17 AM Mar 20, 2011
TXRVr wrote:
Tim & Robyn wrote:
I know this is almost akin to starting relgious and political wars, so I apologize.
No need to apologize for starting the civil war all over again.
From my posting name you can figure on which side of the regional BBQ choice I prefer. BBQ Brisket RULES!
For all those who mentioned Rudy's, Cooper's Bar-b-q Llano, and an place in Lockhart, TX let's get together for a BBQ eating fest. I'm buying!!!
Hot diggity dog!!!! I gotta warn you though, when I get going on brisket from Rudy's, it can be an expensive hobby. I ain't so fond of Cooper's though. They seem to bank on their reputation instead of quality. Expensive too. In Lockhart, the BBQ wars are so intense a brother and sister even split over it. No joke!! Their dad started selling BBQ from his grocery way back when. City Market was left to his two children when he died. Then one of them wanted to do something different, and the fight started. Ended up brother had to start his own joint and sister stayed in the old location with the old name. I don't have a preference though, both are drop dead good. But, Rudy's sauce is the best, not near as vinegary, and a lot more bite. When do we meet? It ain't but about 8 hours from here to any one of the locations. We even have a Rudy's in Lubbock. It is almost as good as New Braunfels. I ain't that choosy if you are buyin'.
Fluffykitty said
06:34 AM Mar 20, 2011
One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to look for Ma & Pa BBQ places. Some of the chains are pretty good too. I've had BBQ in just about every state that you can get it. I've come to the conclusion that BBQ styles are like women. They are all somewhat different, all have their own character, some more expensive than others, some worth it, some not, but that there is no bad BBQ. It's just that some is better than others.....for me. It's all a matter of personal preference. Carolina, Georgia, Texas.....Blond, Brunette, Redhead......Vive la difference!
-Frank
-- Edited by Fluffykitty on Sunday 20th of March 2011 06:37:49 AM
Tim & Robyn said
11:31 AM Mar 20, 2011
Fluffykitty wrote:
One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to look for Ma & Pa BBQ places. Some of the chains are pretty good too. I've had BBQ in just about every state that you can get it. I've come to the conclusion that BBQ styles are like women. They are all somewhat different, all have their own character, some more expensive than others, some worth it, some not, but that there is no bad BBQ. It's just that some is better than others.....for me. It's all a matter of personal preference. Carolina, Georgia, Texas.....Blond, Brunette, Redhead......Vive la difference! -Frank
-- Edited by Fluffykitty on Sunday 20th of March 2011 06:37:49 AM
I agree... I love it all. One thing that seems to be common among all styles of BBQ is love and respect for the food itself. It takes time and care to do it right, whatever the 'it' may be.
Tim
injunear said
07:24 PM Mar 21, 2011
TXRVr When we get to Temple this summer to visit our son and his family, I'll let you know and we can meet at Rudy's in Round Rock.
Wayne
heyduke said
08:29 AM Mar 23, 2011
53 Merc wrote:
For real BBQ, if you can't make it to Lockhart, TX to the City Cafe, go to New Braunfels, TX to Rudy's. Slow smoked, served with Original Sause, potato salad and white bread. YUM! (BTW, I know how to spell sauce, Rudy don't) And like has been said, brisket is king.
Kreuz BBQ in lockhart is superior to any there...
signed... a real texan
smdrm said
03:04 PM Mar 23, 2011
Types of BBQ are almost as hot a topic as politics and religion! I didn't realize that until we moved to centra NC where vinegar-based sauces are the norm.
We came from Alabama and Kentucky where red sauce rules, and that's still what I prefer. To each their own!
Gypsy Turtle 2 said
07:41 PM Mar 23, 2011
Prior to "hitting the road" in January, we spent the last 20 years in central NC with their vinegar based bbq. I still can't get use to it. I have gotten past the 'hate it' to the 'tolerate it' but I still prefer Memphis style for pork. My favorite by far though, is Texas style bbq. We lived there for 10 years prior to NC and I LOVED their beef brisket and bbq. Excellent!
Tim & Robyn said
09:12 AM Mar 24, 2011
The saddest part about all this for me is that I can't (or shouldn't) eat BBQ anymore for my kidney health. I can't go anywhere here in Columbus without driving past a BBQ joint down the road... sheer torture when smelling the smoke.
I was at an IBM training class in the Raleigh area several years ago and that was my first exposure to North Carolina BBQ sauce. It was basically vinegar and crushed red peppers, but it was all good. I like spicy foods... it tends to keep portion sizes down...
Whatever the sauce, I think it's the slow cookin' and the smoke flavor that makes it, whatever your favorite smoke flavor may be, or whatever style of sauce you prefer.
I have no idea why I restarted this thread, other than it's Spring and cookout season is upon us again... even though I've been known to put on a parka and fire up the grill on the back porch in the dead of winter....
TXRVr said
11:10 AM Mar 24, 2011
injunear wrote:
TXRVr When we get to Temple this summer to visit our son and his family, I'll let you know and we can meet at Rudy's in Round Rock. Wayne
You on! PM me when you get here.
If you are bringing the rig, the only decent places are the COE parks around the area.
Waggin Tails said
10:38 PM Mar 24, 2011
Tim, a few years ago we moved from Texas to New Hampshire. It was November and we did not think twice about firing up our smoker. We moved with a load of Mesquite. I sure god some strange looks from the neighbors when I had the smoker going. At first they thought my back porch was on fire. Then the aroma of Mesquite got to them. I took care of the stares by sharing some of the Mesquite smoked turkey with them.
I finally fell in love with it here in Georgia where BBQ is slow-cooked pork, and sauces are mustard based... but I want to broaden my horizons.
One thing I have learned is that BBQ and grilling are two different things... BBQ is low and slow, and grilling is high heat cooking.
Tim
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Vinegar-Based-BBQ-Sauce/Detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mustard-Based-BBQ-Sauce/Detail.aspx
I order (or get friends to ship) my Mustard Based Sauce from South Carolina. Maurice Bessenger's Southern Gold
http://www.mauricesbbq.com/
http://www.mauricesbbq.com/onlinestore/results.cfm?Category=01&subcat=ALL
Since I started this crazy thread, I'll throw another question out there. What about sauces? Here in Georgia where I live mustard based sauces are the norm for pork, with varying degrees of spiceiness, while sweeter more tomato based sauces are used with beef and chicken. Delicious.
I've only had one experience with North Carolina style BBQ, and the sauce on pork at this place was basically vinegar and hot red pepper flakes. It was good too.
I've never had what they call burnt ends in the Kansas City area, although I once had plenty of opportunity to do so. I'm sorry I never tried it. What do y'all say who have done so? Oh my goodness, there's a southernism (y'all) from someone who was born and raised in Michigan...
In Richmond, Va at the Farm House they make a peanut based sauce, Not one of our favorites.
Rudy's in Round Rock TX , Sonny's in Ky through Fl, Porky's in SC, and Duke's in Walterboro SC.
Tomarow we'll stop at Sonny's in Corbin, Ky on our way to Gatlinburg, TN.
Wayne
I have lived in GA and SC where pig BBQ, vinegar and mustard based sauces are the norm. “Pulled Pork BBQ” Is that akin to “Ropin’ a Cow” in those two states? Vinegar is for spinach and mustard is for hot dogs.
I have spent time in K/City and Memphis. The baby back ribs there, even tho pork, are deliciously superb!
From my posting name you can figure on which side of the regional BBQ choice I prefer. BBQ Brisket RULES!
For all those who mentioned Rudy's, Cooper's Bar-b-q Llano, and an place in Lockhart, TX let's get together for a BBQ eating fest. I'm buying!!!
When do we meet? It ain't but about 8 hours from here to any one of the locations. We even have a Rudy's in Lubbock. It is almost as good as New Braunfels. I ain't that choosy if you are buyin'.
-- Edited by Fluffykitty on Sunday 20th of March 2011 06:37:49 AM
Tim
When we get to Temple this summer to visit our son and his family, I'll let you know and we can meet at Rudy's in Round Rock.
Wayne
Kreuz BBQ in lockhart is superior to any there...
signed... a real texan
Prior to "hitting the road" in January, we spent the last 20 years in central NC with their vinegar based bbq. I still can't get use to it. I have gotten past the 'hate it' to the 'tolerate it' but I still prefer Memphis style for pork. My favorite by far though, is Texas style bbq. We lived there for 10 years prior to NC and I LOVED their beef brisket and bbq. Excellent!
The saddest part about all this for me is that I can't (or shouldn't) eat BBQ anymore for my kidney health. I can't go anywhere here in Columbus without driving past a BBQ joint down the road... sheer torture when smelling the smoke.
I was at an IBM training class in the Raleigh area several years ago and that was my first exposure to North Carolina BBQ sauce. It was basically vinegar and crushed red peppers, but it was all good. I like spicy foods... it tends to keep portion sizes down...
Whatever the sauce, I think it's the slow cookin' and the smoke flavor that makes it, whatever your favorite smoke flavor may be, or whatever style of sauce you prefer.
I have no idea why I restarted this thread, other than it's Spring and cookout season is upon us again... even though I've been known to put on a parka and fire up the grill on the back porch in the dead of winter....
You on! PM me when you get here.
If you are bringing the rig, the only decent places are the COE parks around the area.