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So it seems form tv that American barbecue is divided into four regions. In no order:
1. Memphis - Characterized by a sweet sauce and a focus on pork ribs
2. Texas - Characterized by a focus on beef particularly brisket
3. Kansas City - Characterized by a vinegar based sauce (I think though KC Masterpiece falls more into the sweet sauce line) and pulled pork
4. Carolina - Characterized by a mustard based sauce and pulled pork
I propose a fifth region be recognized. This would be known as North Alabama or Decatur style. It has the sweet sauce of Memphis, and it puts a lot of emphasis on pulled pork like Kansas City. However, it distinguishes itself due to the emphasis it places on chicken and to a lesser extent turkey. This has gone to the point of the creation of a white sauce for the poultry barbecue. In addition its the only place I've seen barbecue stuffed potatoes. Am I just inexperienced? Does some other place do this as well?
Go ahead! There's enough diversity for all tastes. I would imagine most are very good. Just remember most all types are probably available in all locales. Just depends who's backyard you're in at the time. Or which restaurant you've visited. Texas rules though!!
Do what makes you happy! If you want to be fair, you should probably want to add other regions as well...IMO, at least Hawaii and California.
The regions themselves have many sub-reasons. In fact, the Carolina is considered the birthplace of American BBQ and is characterized by a thin vinegar based sauce; to most, this is Carolina BBQ, not mustard. In Western side of NC, they add ketchup to the thin sauce. Only in S.C. is mustard used.
Memphis is the only "acceptable" place to get dry ribs. There are exceptions anywhere, probably the highest concentration of those desiring "dry" ribs would be in Memphis. They always use a lot of spiced heat whether wet or dry and is sweet.
Many argue if you need to name one meat for the entire state of Texas, it should be sausage. While brisket is popular in sandwiches, it's only in pockets of certain areas.
KC is the all about the sauce, most are "candy" sweet.
There's also the Hawaiian Luau, California style of baby backs and tri-tip and Kentucky's use of Lamb.
Many argue if you need to name one meat for the entire state of Texas, it should be sausage. While brisket is popular in sandwiches, it's only in pockets of certain areas.
I don't think sausage is any more common than chicken or fajitas and certainly not brisket. In Texas that is! I'd say Fajitas rank pretty high these days as a Texas tradition. Brisket still rules though.
I don't think sausage is any more common than chicken or fajitas and certainly not brisket. In Texas that is! I'd say Fajitas rank pretty high these days as a Texas tradition. Brisket still rules though.
Fajitas, within the category of BBQ? I have visited Texas only a few times and was told no matter where you go in TX for BBQ, there's always somewhere in town that serves sausages. Brisket is only in certain pockets, not state wide.
Fajitas, within the category of BBQ? I have visited Texas only a few times and was told no matter where you go in TX for BBQ, there's always somewhere in town that serves sausages. Brisket is only in certain pockets, not state wide.
I'm thinking more of backyard BBQ's than restaurants. The BBQ word is a puzzle in itself. I admit I call anything I grill BBQ. If someone thinks BBQ is only what has sauce on it then fajitas is out. We call our grills BBQ pits here. Yes, sausage is available at most BBQ's backyard or cafeterias in Texas. But chicken I would say is every bit as popular these days. Fajitas are extremely popular. As I say I may be alone in referring to fajitas as BBQ. Actually I wouldn't call it BBQ, but would say I BBQ'ed it! I can't imagine a BBQ place in Texas without Brisket. Now I'm hungry!
Alabama deserves its own category because of that white sauce. That doesn't mean I like the stuff (I actually despise it) but it sure is unique.
If unique is the criteria for creating it's on category/region, several others are much more popular. Just about every major Hawaiian hotel offers a luau experience.
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Now I'm hungry! 
