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decent slow cooked brisket with the option for tomato based sauce with some heat. We went to the Pit in downtown Raleigh this weekend and the brisket probably would have decent except for the two God awful sauce combinations (vinegar or sugar).
Western NC (over to about Lexington) is tomato based. Eastern NC is vinegar based. Do a net search on "BBQ Song" for a humorous look at the various types in the SouthEast.
That being said, I am surprised at the vehemence of holding on to North Carolina culture in what is - by first blush - an area populated by large quantities of immigrants domestic and international. For example, I would have no problem finding South Indian cuisine in RDU, were that my preference, and Texas is a lot closer than South India.
I think the first 1/2 of this statement is actually explained by the second 1/2. We have a lot of transplants from all over, many of whom decry our area for not having X, Y or Z of what they used to have where ever back home is. So the vehemence you're seeing is part of the long-standing local experience of hearing this at length. It's not you (or folks from Texas) in particular, just a general feeling that no, this isn't where ever you came from, no, we don't have all the same things you had there but we DO have some great things even if they might be a little different.
You just kinda stepped into one of the big hot button issues (BBQ) that gets the most candid response. Like a previous poster said, try talking about bagels, pizza or grocery store chains and that'd get you to the same discussion.
It's a different owner, and not exactly the same menu. The Durham location is the original, but the business partners split up years ago. Dan is the behind the original location, and he's the Texas native.
Did not know that. Maybe I will have to try the Durham location! Like someone said earlier up in the thread...NC, TX...BBQ is all good to me!
I think the first 1/2 of this statement is actually explained by the second 1/2. We have a lot of transplants from all over, many of whom decry our area for not having X, Y or Z of what they used to have where ever back home is. So the vehemence you're seeing is part of the long-standing local experience of hearing this at length. It's not you (or folks from Texas) in particular, just a general feeling that no, this isn't where ever you came from, no, we don't have all the same things you had there but we DO have some great things even if they might be a little different.
You just kinda stepped into one of the big hot button issues (BBQ) that gets the most candid response. Like a previous poster said, try talking about bagels, pizza or grocery store chains and that'd get you to the same discussion.
if we had a regional style of curry one could expect resistance to serving south indian style curried dishes for example.
but in the case of indian food, it's entering a vacuum.
It's a different owner, and not exactly the same menu. The Durham location is the original, but the business partners split up years ago. Dan is the behind the original location, and he's the Texas native.
No comparison. I live in North Hills, but I go to Durham for Q-Shack. North Hills location started out good, but tailed off soon afterwards.
My house. But we're a Kansas City barbecue house--tomato/molasses sauce with a bit of heat. I usually have quite a few people over when I make my pork ribs who are familiar with KC barbecue, who say mine are the "best". Although I have heard that the "best" barbecue is the barbecue that is on the plate, in front of you right now.
I've been here 3 years after relocating from KC, and I've still not quite assimilated to the barbecue here. . . yet. Though I'm "working" on it. . . .
Hang in there. There are worse dilemmas than barbecue, such as pizza, doughnuts, philly cheesesteak sandwiches, subs, Italian food. All of which you will see fiercely debated on this board. . . and to which, no consensus has yet to be reached. Welcome!
I think the first 1/2 of this statement is actually explained by the second 1/2. We have a lot of transplants from all over, many of whom decry our area for not having X, Y or Z of what they used to have where ever back home is. So the vehemence you're seeing is part of the long-standing local experience of hearing this at length. It's not you (or folks from Texas) in particular, just a general feeling that no, this isn't where ever you came from, no, we don't have all the same things you had there but we DO have some great things even if they might be a little different.
You just kinda stepped into one of the big hot button issues (BBQ) that gets the most candid response. Like a previous poster said, try talking about bagels, pizza or grocery store chains and that'd get you to the same discussion.
I think this sounds very logical, but there is another side which I wonder of people think about much. If this was just Podunk USA, I think people might just follow the when in Rome deal.....however, this area has a TON of people from other areas of the country and the world. When people move to places like this, there is often an expectation that some of the other relocatees may bring with them some of their culinary delights. I think that is why many people are surprised to find out how limited the options are for diverse Q.
NC BBQ, Eastern NC style is really simple cooking. The sauce is water, vinegar, sugar and red pepper flakes, and cooking the pork butt is very easy.
Texas BBQ (beef brisket) requires rubs, slow smoking/cooking at 150+ for 12 hours and the sauce is basically the secret ingredient. I like the sauce from Bo's in Angleton far better than the sauce from Sonny Byrans in Dallas.
Not many restaurants in NC have commercial smokers as they do as you go West of NC, however never met a native North Carolinian who did not really enjoy Texas BBQ.
I think this sounds very logical, but there is another side which I wonder of people think about much. If this was just Podunk USA, I think people might just follow the when in Rome deal.....however, this area has a TON of people from other areas of the country and the world. When people move to places like this, there is often an expectation that some of the other relocatees may bring with them some of their culinary delights. I think that is why many people are surprised to find out how limited the options are for diverse Q.
Fair point, but as I think hey_guy pointed out, with BBQ it's a little different because here we have a deep (and delicious) history with this particular item (BBQ) as well as some fairly entrenched views about what's the "right" kind of BBQ.
With bagels, pizza and the like, which have a deeper history elsewhere it's more of a "I can't get good X" here and with BBQ it's "I can't get my preferred kind of X here and don't like the kind you have". Similar but different debates, though I think they have the same root causes.
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