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 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
So best places to go looking for these hole in the wall affairs?

Are we talking just off whatever the US equivalent to the High Street is (main shopping district), or 'hire a car, follow the smell' type adventuring?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Speaking of Soul Food - is Louisana/New Orleans at all noted for it's Barbecue?

Yes, I am intending on 'I went to the US and had a massive coronary, but man was it worth it'

Use google maps and turn off Highways.

You not only will find great food (Not just great BBQ), but you will get a better feel of America; good and bad.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

And if you truly can make the food better yourself, you must be some kind of chef, cuz a lot of the ethnic foods I see/have gotten, while I could undoubtedly learn how to make it, it wouldn't be nearly as good as I've gotten from the ethnic chef.

I was a chef de partie at an Italian restaurant for a few years when I was younger before I got a big boy job. It was something I was seriously considering as a career until I decided I wanted money and then I went technical.

Some of the reason why you can't make better tasting food than what you're eating is because a lot of food places (not just trucks) cheat with MSG (and lets sidestep the argument about whether or not it's bad for you) or one of it's pseudonyms. Not all of them, but odds are if there's something more savory than you would expect and you can't replicate it, that's likely what's missing. This is also true for the vast majority of flavored potato chips.

Anyway, hardly a lofty position in the culinary world, but I can and have made my own food better than some of the food trucks here. Having that been said, I don't think we have an actual "ethnic" food truck in St. Louis, so that's probably affecting my attitude toward the food somewhat. The taco and 'Asian' trucks are mostly full of trendy looking fellows paler than I am, and those tacos have some mighty weak sauce on them.

That cajun truck though. Damn, that gak's for real.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Easy E wrote:

Use google maps and turn off Highways.

You not only will find great food (Not just great BBQ), but you will get a better feel of America; good and bad.

This is definitely true. I'm reminded of the Billy Connolly series about Route 66.

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:

And if you truly can make the food better yourself, you must be some kind of chef, cuz a lot of the ethnic foods I see/have gotten, while I could undoubtedly learn how to make it, it wouldn't be nearly as good as I've gotten from the ethnic chef.

I ain't no chef. I dabble in cooking now and again when I have the time. Must be the food trucks here in the Netherlands are just gak, then.

Another strategy for finding a good place is to ask around in the local dive bar. You will find out that many people in the US are pretty vocal about their favorite BBQ joints.

Bran Dawri wrote:

 hotsauceman1 wrote:

Its a cheap/inexpensive way to start a food joint with less overhead.
So people who are good cooks/ethnic food start them to create good/authentic food.
Food trucks are the best!!!!!!

If they're inexpensive, why is the food coming out of them so bloody expensive?
And good cooks... Like I said, mostly I can make the food better myself, so they can't be that good...

It really depends where you are. Not sure how it is where you are, but food trucks have gone through a bit of a "renaissance" with younger people in the US. You can get some pretty high quality food from the back of a truck. I know the ones that make the festival circuit are pretty top notch, many requiring a second truck for the prep and/or a grill/smoker pull behind. We actually have one in my home town of 5200 that is just a guy, his pickup truck, and his smoker. His food is amazing.

So partly due to this thread and also beacause I just moved stateside (NC), I found myself feeling for some BBQ.

Couple hours later and out of my food coma, I will say that the signature BBQ here is very tasty. My first taste of eastern style vs. lexington style, and I think Eastern style is waaaay more addictive. What really made the difference beyond the amazing eastern carolina style vinegar-pepper sauce was the sides: cornbread, fried okra, collard greens, mac and cheese, biscuits...it was really something.

 daedalus wrote:
.

Anyway, hardly a lofty position in the culinary world, but I can and have made my own food better than some of the food trucks here. Having that been said, I don't think we have an actual "ethnic" food truck in St. Louis, so that's probably affecting my attitude toward the food somewhat. The taco and 'Asian' trucks are mostly full of trendy looking fellows paler than I am, and those tacos have some mighty weak sauce on them.

Back when I went to LA quite often I used to chase the shabbiest, oldest pickups (landscaping, building etc.) at lunchtime. 9/10 times it took me to a taco, pupusa, whatever truck.

Totally worth it, even if at times it meant I was mistaken for an inspector or the migra (I swear once a full line of people in front of me just started running away after I stepped out of my black rental crown Vic).

Find a food truck or a beat up truck pulling a trailer with all the gear inside. Theres a guy that drives around Flint like that and his BBQ is just nuts. Its like a big ass portable smoker or something. The contraption all looks shoddy but man oh man does he cook some mean BBQ

So, Kansas City seems the place to be.

Much nerdery going on there? Don't much fancy bringing my GW armies with me, but reckon a couple of decks of Tragic The Saddening won't wreck my luggage allowance!

 whembly wrote:
The big 3 are:
Memphis, TN
Kansasa City, MO
all of Texas ....

But most cities have "their" specialty in BBQ... ie:
St. Louis' Porksteaks:
>

West Texas BBQ is different from the rest of Texas, and it is the best BBQ. Dry rubbed and smoked over mesquite wood....mmm....

It has to have that nice pink smoke ring...

Memphis, St. Louis, and I'm gonna actually put in a chime for Portland, Oregon! West coast does know what they're doing too. I went to a "cafeteria style" BBQ place in Portland once that blew me away. Of course, the little hole-in-the-wall in Memphis beat EVERYBODY, but still...

 Laughing Man wrote:
New Orleans isn't really known for barbecue, but the food there is amazing in its own beautiful way. Creole food is absolutely amazing, although your tongue will likely catch fire while appreciating it.

New Mexican food I find to be spicier. While similar to Mexican food in many respects, it is hotter. I have had stuff in New Mexico as hot as anything Indian/Thai that I've ever had. McDonald's even sells their burgers with chiles on them. Come fall and the child roasters are on every corner, and not the sissy made in California stuff.

Honestly, if you are looking to come to the US to eat some BBQ, I would hit the three main ones mentioned in the thread. Make a week of it, stop in each for a day or two. There is so much to do in each of cities. You can go to Memphis for the best BBQ as well as amazing music. Beale Street is pretty great, especially when they have the Beale Street Music Festival. If you're not interested in the festival music, believe me, you will hear more and probably better music on the strip. If you go to St. Louis you can see the arch, some sweet historic building, science center, the zoo, the city museum(Not a museum), and finish the day out watching grown men piss in to bottles at the Budweiser plant. Kansas City has, uhhhhhhh, cows? Lots of cows, I assume.

But really, the US Midwest actually has a lot of stuff to offer. Its mostly food, alcohol, and music. But lets be honest, what else do you need?

 Dreadwinter wrote:
Honestly, if you are looking to come to the US to eat some BBQ, I would hit the three main ones mentioned in the thread. Make a week of it, stop in each for a day or two. There is so much to do in each of cities. You can go to Memphis for the best BBQ as well as amazing music. Beale Street is pretty great, especially when they have the Beale Street Music Festival. If you're not interested in the festival music, believe me, you will hear more and probably better music on the strip. If you go to St. Louis you can see the arch, some sweet historic building, science center, the zoo, the city museum(Not a museum), and finish the day out watching grown men piss in to bottles at the Budweiser plant. Kansas City has, uhhhhhhh, cows? Lots of cows, I assume.

But really, the US Midwest actually has a lot of stuff to offer. Its mostly food, alcohol, and music. But lets be honest, what else do you need?

Long as you're making this pitch, Hammerstone's in St Louis is the place to go for casual live music and decent food on most given nights. The schedule varies, but weekends usually present some sort of bluegrass or jam band type thing, and they have some pretty enjoyable ribs there. Decent booze selection too.

Back when I lived in that area, leaning out my balcony to hear the music play was some of the happiest times I can recount.

Kansas City has Janelle Monae. That's reason enough to love it.

As for Texas? The problem isn't the flavor but the meat. BBQ is for pork or, now and then, chicken. Beef and BBQ don't mix anywhere near as well.

Wakshaani wrote:
Kansas City has Janelle Monae. That's reason enough to love it.

As for Texas? The problem isn't the flavor but the meat. BBQ is for pork or, now and then, chicken. Beef and BBQ don't mix anywhere near as well.

Utter and total heresy. Good smoked brisket is a treat as are beef ribs done with that delicious pink ring.

Essentially it comes down to whether you like spicier dry rub or sweet and saucy (avoid southern vinegar BBQ at all costs).

 Maniac_nmt wrote:
(avoid southern vinegar BBQ at all costs).

Foulest blasphemy.

Aye. Beef BBQ is amazing. Just as good as chicken or pork.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
So, Kansas City seems the place to be.

Much nerdery going on there? Don't much fancy bringing my GW armies with me, but reckon a couple of decks of Tragic The Saddening won't wreck my luggage allowance!

The American Royal is ABSOLUTELY worth the trip, but insane. If you just want to try everyday KC BBQ, the three things to know are:

1) In-city tastes tend toward spicier, suburban tastes tend sweeter.
2) Order the burnt ends at least once.
3) Zarda all the way.

The only game store I've been to out there is Tabletop, but they're one of my favorites I've ever been to. Boardgames, card games, RPGs, fantasy/sci-fi and historical wargames. Highly recommended.

mrgrigson wrote:

2) Order the burnt ends at least once.

Indeed. But for the uninitiated, Burnt Ends are not actually burnt.

Wakshaani wrote:
Kansas City has Janelle Monae. That's reason enough to love it.

As for Texas? The problem isn't the flavor but the meat. BBQ is for pork or, now and then, chicken. Beef and BBQ don't mix anywhere near as well.

Of course you realize this means war.

One thing I've not seen mentioned (or mentioned much, if I've missed it), is Hawaiian BBQ. . .

Growing up in Oregon where I did, we had a decent little Islander community, and during some of the camping trips I took, one of the groups from this community would throw us a traditional Luau. . .deep pit pig is fething amazing!

They run Taste of Chicago every year and it's like two weeks of nothing but food, it not only draws a lot of the locals but we also get a lot of out of town vendors as well. A huge variety of BBQ along with just about every regional or ethnic food possible and most everyone is smaller businesses rather than large chains as it's something of a food lovers event. It can be a bit expensive but well worth it if you like sampling a lot of different things, it's also in the city so you can stuff yourself silly then see the other sites, or just roll yourself back to the hotel and sleep it off in a coma.

A lot of other major cities also have festival style events that will likely turn up with a bit of web searching. Most tend to be in the summer when the weather is better.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
So, Kansas City seems the place to be.

Speaking as a Texan who vouched for Texas BBQ but has also had Kansas City BBQ on more than one occasion.... it's good.

You'll have a grand time eating!

I am currently from St Louis but have to say BBQ for the area would be Memphis.. And if you can make it they
have an event called "Memphis in May" its a BBQ competition and some of the best barbecues are there..

As for the best locally Sugarfire has already been mentioned plus Pappy's and Bogarts..

One thing I have always considered when dealing with BBQ is the type of meat, ribs, pulled pork, brisket etc; all cook and taste different.
Then the type of wood they used to smoke with.. the rub, and the sauce .. how much they use of each can really change the taste..
And everyone has the style they like.. I have always preferred one that is right in the middle of all three..

And someone mentioned other local favorites.. I am finding out things I never knew..
Everyone knows about for St Louis.. Baked Ravioli and Provel instead of mozzarella cheese on pizza..
But there is also many restaurants that serve Steak sandwiches.. just a steak on bread.. and I love it

All this talk about Texas, St.Louis, Kansas, and Tennessee and the rare post about North Carolina.

North Carolina is where it's at, moist meat and great sauce combining together to make amazing meals. Pulled pork sandwiches with a healthy dose of pork, sauce, and the signature cole slaw in between two buns cannot be beaten by any rib or brisket around. Not sure anywhere else in the country even has barbecue so inundated into it's society that you will see smokers at a gas station actively smoking some delicious pork inside.

And on a side note, dry rub is a sin.

 halonachos wrote:
All this talk about Texas, St.Louis, Kansas, and Tennessee and the rare post about North Carolina.

Kansas City is in Missouri. So Texas, Missouri, and Tennessee have been rightly mentioned.

North Carolina would be mentioned, if they knew what they were doing.

North Carolina BBQ is awful, bloody awful. Sorry, but while I can can find St. Lo., KC and occasionally Memphis (which is way to darn sweet to be on any top list) okay, NC/SC BBQ is awful. The only time it is good is when it isn't traditional Southern BBQ.

Dry Rub is the right way. Add sauce afterwards if you like, the meat should stand on it's own (even West Texas offers sauce in a number of varieties, just not as the main attraction).

 Dreadwinter wrote:
North Carolina would be mentioned, if they knew what they were doing.

Don't worry, we know, we've been doing it for longer than most other "BBQ states" have existed. BBQ is pig + vinegar sauce. If you have to drown your meat in ketchup sauce to cover up how awful it is you're doing it wrong.

Now now gents.

Keep it civil!

Man, this is meat we are talking about. That is absolutely grounds for fightin' and ballin'.