Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I myself has only had 2 kinds North Carolina BBQ (actually Lexington style) which I think is the best out there yet and South Carolina which is mustard basted (YUUUUUKKK) worst one I have tasted yet.
Hi Stefan,
I understand that you are young and don't know anything about barbecue. That is okay, I can help.
-eastern NC and eastern SC have the same BBQ. This is vinegar based. It is not "North Carolina BBQ" or "eastern North Carolina BBQ", as it has been around for hundreds of years in any south Atlantic area that is predominantly Scottish. In my opinion, this is real "barbecue". I am surprised that you haven't tried it, since it is the predominant style where you live in Berkeley County, SC.
-western NC and upstate SC have the same BBQ. This is Lexington style, aka "ketchup on pork shoulders", and may very well have been 'invented' in North Carolina, I don't know.
-a handful of areas in South Carolina (mostly in the german areas like Orangeburg, Aiken, and Lexington counties) use mustard sauce. Outside of a few resturant owners, I have never actually met a native South Carolinian who used mustard sauce on home cooked BBQ, because anybody with any sense knows it ruins BBQ. Mustard sauce has always been more popular with BBQ chicken and pork tenderloins.
I'm torn, really torn! I used to live in Mississippi, so we used to get a bit of Memphis and Texas style. I personally prefer dry-rub rather than dousing my meat in sauce, so I have a slight preference for Memphis-style.
However, when I have brisket or beef or something that is tomato-based, I prefer Texas style. I also like mesquite-smoked BBQ as well. No one can BBQ a cow the way Texans can.
I do love Kansas-City style. One of the better BBQ meals I've had was from Gates BBQ in KCMO. I like the spicy sauce that they tend to use.
I have tried NC style (pulled-pork w/the vinegar sauce) and I just do not like it that much. I've been to some authentic joints in NC in some of the more backwood towns and still did not like it. I guess because I grew up on Memphis and Texas style, it just wasn't something I was used to.
I would like to try the mustard-based SC version one day.
As for Famous Dave's, I thought that was St. Louis style BBQ?
I also like grilling salmon and shrimp. Delicious!
So I like many of them, but I guess I'll go for Memphis style.
I'm torn, really torn! I used to live in Mississippi, so we used to get a bit of Memphis and Texas style. I personally prefer dry-rub rather than dousing my meat in sauce, so I have a slight preference for Memphis-style.
However, when I have brisket or beef or something that is tomato-based, I prefer Texas style. I also like mesquite-smoked BBQ as well. No one can BBQ a cow the way Texans can.
I do love Kansas-City style. One of the better BBQ meals I've had was from Gates BBQ in KCMO. I like the spicy sauce that they tend to use.
I have tried NC style (pulled-pork w/the vinegar sauce) and I just do not like it that much. I've been to some authentic joints in NC in some of the more backwood towns and still did not like it. I guess because I grew up on Memphis and Texas style, it just wasn't something I was used to.
I would like to try the mustard-based SC version one day.
As for Famous Dave's, I thought that was St. Louis style BBQ?
I also like grilling salmon and shrimp. Delicious!
So I like many of them, but I guess I'll go for Memphis style.
Whatever, it's all delicious anyways!
It doesn't sound like you had the delicious Lexington-style NC barbecue. If you ever have another chance to get some (important: in the PIEDMONT area of NC) just have it without the sauce. It's fabulous.
Well, everytime I see one of these topics, I have to keep asking the same question over and over until maybe someday I get an answer. I know what my preference is, and I know that someday I need to get out and take a BBQ trip across the country.
With Texas in the lead at this point, what is it that's done differently that makes it better? Is it the cut of the meat? Is the NC BBQ, which usually uses a pork shoulder (aka Boston Butt) and a spice dry rub, then slowly smoked over hickory (usually) different because Texas uses a different cut of meat or is it the rub/preparation and smoking method (mesquite vs. the hickory) that makes the difference? What is done differently in Memphis?
It doesn't sound like you had the delicious Lexington-style NC barbecue. If you ever have another chance to get some (important: in the PIEDMONT area of NC) just have it without the sauce. It's fabulous.
Next time I pass through, I'm going to have to try it. I think one of the places I was in was in Henderson.
I love pit smoke BBQ, a small joint with a real hardwood pit...Seems like most people are talking about sauce...if you have a good smoked piece of meat, it dont need sauce.
we love good german and polish kielbasa, steaks, beef and pork ribs, chicken, and all the fixings
Next time I pass through, I'm going to have to try it. I think one of the places I was in was in Henderson.
I'm not sure what kind they have in Henderson, but I doubt it's Lexington style. It's probably that Eastern NC style barbecue - I don't really care for that either.
I'm not sure what kind they have in Henderson, but I doubt it's Lexington style. It's probably that Eastern NC style barbecue - I don't really care for that either.
Yes, it was Eastern NC style. I remember the vinegary sauce and the pulled pork.
Yes, it was Eastern NC style. I remember the vinegary sauce and the pulled pork.
Another big difference is that Eastern NC style uses the "whole hog", while Lexington style uses only pork shoulder. It brings a different taste from the beginning...and then the sauces are quite different too.
I kinda think that barbecue preferences mostly depend on what a person grew up with or either what he/she has become accustomed to. It seems rare for anyone to switch allegiances.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
