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While I am partial to the NC, Eastern Style, I am SOOOOO Very stoked that I'm heading to Texas this week. Going to KD's in Midland TX. One of my favorite places.
I won't admit it often, but I like it all too. NC Pork, Texas Brisket, Memphis (and Birmingham) ribs, and even Maine Lobsters. (oops, wrong thread, but still, I'm just sayin')
I know many native NC folks think the sun rises and sets on their beloved vinegar sauce but some of us have gotten used to tomato based sweeter BBQ after we lived in different parts of the country. It was so frustrating to live in Chapel Hill, known for great food and diversity and not be able to find tomato based BBQ sauce. But now we know what we crave is within our reach.
Generally, eastern NC is entirely vinegar based. Wilbur's in Goldsboro also uses some mustard. Western NC is tomato based. I grew up in eastern NC and dearly love the vinegar most. But if you really like tomato base, plan a trip to Lexington, NC. It's the unofficial BBQ capital of Western NC. You would probably like any of the places there.
I have occasionally had beef BBQ also, roughly similar to what they make in Texas. I like that a lot. I have a recipe and make it in the crockpot sometimes.
I have occasionally had beef BBQ also, roughly similar to what they make in Texas. I like that a lot. I have a recipe and make it in the crockpot sometimes.
If you make it in a crock pot, it isn't even "roughly" similar to Texas BBQ brisket.
I had no idea! I pass this place all the time. I do love the vinegar sauce, but I actually don't like pork BBQ (I know, blasphemy...blame my high school science teacher for having us dissect spotted fetal pigs; not a pork fan since). Anyway, I want to try Memphis style without having to go to Memphis so I'll get it on beef or chicken.
Though you don't like pork, you should try BBQ chicken. True BBQ chicken is grilled or at least oven baked. Basted with vinegar sauce every few minutes. Even some good BBQ places don't have good BBQ chicken. Try Bullock's & Dillard's in Durham. Check out volunteer fire dept fundraisers, Sertoma Club fundraisers, etc. as well. If you go anywhere near Wilson, check out Parker's and/or Bills BBQ. If you go near Goldsboro, check out Wilbur's BBQ. At home, you can grill it and baste with Dillard's BBQ sauce, Kroger has it. I mix about 1 part vinegar as well, to 4 or 5 parts sauce. Grill it SLOWLY on low flame.
My first taste of beef BBQ was at a place called Luther's, back in the 80's. They had a place in Durham, 1 in Raleigh and 1 in Texas. Obviously some TX roots. They had NC pork, chicken & Texas beef BBQ's. The chicken was so so but the pork & beef were great. I didn't have beef BBQ again til about a year ago. My sister gave me a recipe someone gave her. I make in in the crockpot and my family loves it. She also gave me a good Brunswick stew recipe that we like. My 1 visit to TX was San Antonio in 1996. I didn't see any BBQ places there, but had lots of good Mexican (of course) food, good Brats & other stuff at Schilo's, & lots of other good places. Had a decent $5 steak somewhere downtown. Even then, a decent $5 steak was no more in my neck of the woods.
I was hooked the first time I had Eastern NC style 'cue. Since then, nothing else compares. I guess it's all a matter of taste, but I love the simplicity of Eastern style with the emphasis being on the quality of the meat mingled with the tanginess of the vinegar sauce.
I enjoy Texas style brisket. I have a co-worker that smokes Texas style brisket in his spare time and it's pretty darn good.
As for the cue that relies on sauce, it just doesn't do it for me anymore. Not that it's bad or anything, just not my thing. It's a sticky-sweet mess that masks the flavor of the meat. If I want sweet, I'll have some banana pudding.
If you are truly moving to the Austin area, you will be close to one of my all time favorite Texas BBQ venues, The Salt Lick. I have not found anything to be better in all of my BBQ excursions. Make sure you hit it up and let me know what you think.
I like Iron Works in DT Austin for beef ribs - mmmm so good and really a lot of meat on the bones.
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