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How do?

As the resident Lord of the Pies, and someone who (as covered in other threads) fancies visiting the USA again, I got to thinking of Barbecue.

Not the sad, rain sodden grill we know and love in the UK, but proper proper 'just shove the whole pig or cow in, it'll be fine' honest to goodness Barbecue.

Having seen a Pitmasters and that on Netflix, I understand each State has its own preferences. And because Civil War is neither civil nor fun, and certainly not something I want to trigger, I'm not looking to for a definitive 'State X or GTFO' type argument. Instead, I want to know which city is best for a fattyboomboom like me or try a real variety of different Barbecue styles.

Suggestions please!

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

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

I can already tell I'm going to love this thread

BBQ is a signature american thing. It's good basically everywhere you go. Just look up the best BBQ reviews on whatever city you are in. If coming specifically for BBQ - go to one of these festivals. http://www.delish.com/food/g58/best-bbq-festivals/?slide=5

Be careful. People will argue over rules, or fight over sports teams, but people will straight up knife a man over BBQ.

It's very much a Thing.

Meanwhile, here're some nice videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0TYCEXmi90
(But they miss out on Tennessee!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwFQD61A_HA
(Way, way shorter, and focused on Texas)

Lastly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WYR079F0xU
This is a Brit trying to get to the heart of things, so he goes through TN.

Obviously, I'm biased for my home state, but at the end of the day?

Eat Barbeque. It's *awesome*. In that, we can all agree.

Wakshaani wrote:
Be careful. People will argue over rules, or fight over sports teams, but people will straight up knife a man over BBQ.

I believe Fraz prefers to use a gun.

Memphis, Kansas City, or any big city in the midwest will always have amazing BBQ joints. And really just about anywhere you should be able to find at least a few good spots.

I went to a sweet place in St Louis last year called Sugarfire. Tons of sauce choices, and plenty of meat to put them on.

#1: Memphis, TN
#2: Kansas City, MO

I like KC style the best, however the greatest variety is found in Memphis.

 Steve steveson wrote:

Wakshaani wrote:
Be careful. People will argue over rules, or fight over sports teams, but people will straight up knife a man over BBQ.

I believe Fraz prefers to use a gun.

No, no, no. Frazz strictly uses wiener dogs. The wiener dog itself however might use a gun...

 Grey Templar wrote:
Memphis, Kansas City, or any big city in the midwest will always have amazing BBQ joints. And really just about anywhere you should be able to find at least a few good spots.

I went to a sweet place in St Louis last year called Sugarfire. Tons of sauce choices, and plenty of meat to put them on.

Sugarfire is amazing. My company is doing some work for them at the moment, and I'm trying to convince my boss that in-kind payments are the best way to go here.

Since you've already been there hop on a flight south instead and get a proper braai in South Africa.

Can't say you're a BBQ lover until you've had one.

Not sure South Africa is safe enough for me - despite being a 6'2" monstrosity, I'm a right wuss!

Looked up Sugarfire's menu.....yeah I think I'm going there.

 Grey Templar wrote:
Memphis, Kansas City, or any big city in the midwest will always have amazing BBQ joints. And really just about anywhere you should be able to find at least a few good spots.

I went to a sweet place in St Louis last year called Sugarfire. Tons of sauce choices, and plenty of meat to put them on.

Sugarfire is my go-to for BBQ!

THis is the their pork portion:


Also had their BIG MUDDY sammich... pleasant gastronomical event for sure!

 Grey Templar wrote:

 Steve steveson wrote:

Wakshaani wrote:
Be careful. People will argue over rules, or fight over sports teams, but people will straight up knife a man over BBQ.

I believe Fraz prefers to use a gun.

No, no, no. Frazz strictly uses wiener dogs. The wiener dog itself however might use a gun...

Rodney will shoot your ass while eating some good Texas brisket!

I can't say for sure if it's the BEST, but I'll chime in and agree that St. Louis has some pretty good spots for BBQ. It's how the locality make up for not being able to make a pizza.

Sugarfire and Hendrick's both deserve mention. I think my favorite overall though is Big Woody's in St. Charles. It's kind of just a hole in a wall, but they have the best overall that I've had, like, ever.

Driftwood, Texas.
http://saltlickbbq.com/

I would definitely put it as St. Louis, Memphis, Kansas City, and Austin or Houston - in no specific order.

Best options:

1) Some small town in eastern NC.
2) Somewhere on the border between eastern and central NC.

Here ends the list of BBQ places. Forget all that nonsense about other BBQ options, the only one you need is eastern NC BBQ. Pig, vinegar sauce, and nothing else.

What's NC precious?

jouso wrote:
Since you've already been there hop on a flight south instead and get a proper braai in South Africa.

Can't say you're a BBQ lover until you've had one.

I can vouch for that. South African braai is awesome .
Brazilian churrasco is fantastic as well (but don't get one in the big city).
Apparently Ozzies make decent BBQ's as well, though I've never really had that pleasure.
Texas Barbeque is very good too, but must be done with a bunch of pipeliner redneck cowboys out in the woods somewhere or it doesn't count.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
What's NC precious?

North Carolina, home of BBQ.

 Peregrine wrote:
Best options:

1) Some small town in eastern NC.
2) Somewhere on the border between eastern and central NC.

Here ends the list of BBQ places. Forget all that nonsense about other BBQ options, the only one you need is eastern NC BBQ. Pig, vinegar sauce, and nothing else.

No love for western style

 Peregrine wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
What's NC precious?

North Carolina, home of BBQ.

*nods sagely*

That's where it was born.

Then it moved to Memphis, grew up, and learned what it wanted to be for the rest of its life ... Perfect.

Pork is nice but it's not proper meat, unlike brisket.

Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee.

Wakshaani wrote:

 Peregrine wrote:

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
What's NC precious?

North Carolina, home of BBQ.

*nods sagely*

That's where it was born.

Then it moved to Memphis, grew up, and learned what it wanted to be for the rest of its life ... Perfect.

Putting ketchup on a cow is not BBQ.

For my money, Killens Barbecue in Pearland Texas is the best. It's perfect without any sauce but they have it on hand if you feel like adding some anyway.




https://www.killensbarbecue.com/

Also, being honest- just find some old-school black dudes. If they're doing barbecue, it'll be good.

Im gonna get gak over this
But the Bay Area and Sacramento are starting to get ALOT of food trucks, with alot of them being BBQ too.
Nothing can beat food trucks. add BBq to that, your good.
If you can find a BBQ food truck(Or any food truck really) your good

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
Im gonna get gak over this
But the Bay Area and Sacramento are starting to get ALOT of food trucks, with alot of them being BBQ too.
Nothing can beat food trucks. add BBq to that, your good.
If you can find a BBQ food truck(Or any food truck really) your good

Food trucks in Cali are awesome!