North Carolina BBQ

[ValuJet]

A former business associate located in Memphis is part of a travelling BBQ team that attends various BBQ contests around the South. If I ever have a question on Memphis Style BBQ, he is the source.

A few months ago when I told him I was relocating to Eastern NC, the first thing out of his mouth was "Well, you can forget about getting any good BBQ around there, unless you do it yourself."

Indeed, a restaurant serving a BBQ sandwich in these parts consists of shredded pork and slaw. Yes - slaw in between the two buns. "BBQ chicken" to these folks is fried chicken dipped in BBQ sauce.

BBQ has never been my area of expertise in the backyard. But, I helped my grandfather do chicken quarters enough while I was growing up that I think I can beat the pants off the junk you get around here.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

A former business associate located in Memphis is part of a travelling BBQ team that attends various BBQ contests around the South. If I ever have a question on Memphis Style BBQ, he is the source.

A few months ago when I told him I was relocating to Eastern NC, the first thing out of his mouth was "Well, you can forget about getting any good BBQ around there, unless you do it yourself."

Indeed, a restaurant serving a BBQ sandwich in these parts consists of shredded pork and slaw. Yes - slaw in between the two buns. "BBQ chicken" to these folks is fried chicken dipped in BBQ sauce.

BBQ has never been my area of expertise in the backyard. But, I helped my grandfather do chicken quarters enough while I was growing up that I think I can beat the pants off the junk you get around here.

As a BBQ lover (no expert) I can tell you whether it is "better" or "worse" is what ever the person doing the eat'n prefers. I used to eat a pulled pork sandwich with the pork and bun ONLY. No sauce, nothing, just bun and the meat. I was in Alabama for a family reunion and I tasted a pulled pork sandwich with slaw and a vinegar sauce on it. I LOVED IT!!! It wasn't "better" than what I was used to it was just something new that was good. There are many taste of "good" and many kinds of BBQ.

Don't short change yourself. Open your mind to a different region of bbq. You might like it. I've tasted good Carolina BBQ so the folks you're going to might just not know how to put out good Q, regardless of the style.

 

[bamapeppy]

As a BBQ lover (no expert) I can tell you whether it is "better" or "worse" is what ever the person doing the eat'n prefers. I used to eat a pulled pork sandwich with the pork and bun ONLY. No sauce, nothing, just bun and the meat. I was in Alabama for a family reunion and I tasted a pulled pork sandwich with slaw and a vinegar sauce on it. I LOVED IT!!! It wasn't "better" than what I was used to it was just something new that was good. There are many taste of "good" and many kinds of BBQ.

Don't short change yourself. Open your mind to a different region of bbq. You might like it. I've tasted good Carolina BBQ so the folks you're going to might just not know how to put out good Q, regardless of the style.

Finally someone with some eating sense.

Don't be afraid to try something new and don't let looks deceive you. It must have been a real hungry man who ate the first oyster or egg.

 

[TideBeliever]

That region favors mustard based sauces, which are not on my favorite list. But there is only one way to know what you enjoy eating, and that is to try it.

 

[SavannahDare]

VJ, if you find a good BBQ restaurant in Eastern NC, you'll fall in love...I guarantee it. You have to completely reframe how you think about BBQ though. Your friend in Memphis likes Western NC BBQ because it's basically Memphis-style, pork shoulder only, BBQ. Eastern NC BBQ is whole hog, very little seasonings, vinegar and a taste of hot pepper moisturized (because you can't call it sauce) chopped pork. If the slaw is done right, and the pig is done right, you'll have yourself a mighty fine samich. Gotta have sweet tea with it that'll curl your toes too!

It's not what I think of when I think of BBQ, but it can be very good. Don't rule it out.

Happy eating!

Oh, and now that you're in NC, you have to get yourself over to Ocracoke on the Outer Banks. One of my favorite places on Earth!

 

[bayoutider]

I only like mustard based sauce on chicken but to each his own.

 

[ValuJet]

It's not what I am used to. However, my NC co-workers take me on Fridays to a chain called "Smithfield's" where I religiously get a BBQ sandwich like what I described. Stacy - you are correct. I have developed an affinity for Texas Pete hot sauce which I use liberally on that slaw-filled concoction. I am sure, in time, it will grow on me.

I also have a new boss who's relocated here from Cleveland, OH. He's been with us a couple of times but doesn't go any more. He will not eat the NC BBQ. I will try new things - it just takes some getting used to.

My plan is to, once I have settled in with my family, host a BBQ for all my slaw-eatin' friends and show them what BBQ chicken is. The good thing about the NC BBQ is that it's not quite as messy.

 

[It's On A Slab]

That region favors mustard based sauces, which are not on my favorite list. But there is only one way to know what you enjoy eating, and that is to try it.

I've never cared for the mustard-based sauces.

I did have some KC barbecue while I was down there last weekend.

Some of the best I've ever had.

 

[Bama Torch in Pcola]

I ran into this stuff in a barbeque joint in Enterprise, Alabama several years ago. When they brought out the plate I almost gagged. The meat was a dreary gray with no sauce, it looked terrible. I forced myself to take a bite and I am glad I did. I absolutely loved it. The sauce was on the meat but I couldn't see it because it was clear. I look back on that meal with great fondness.

 

[THE BAMA IRISHMAN]

That region favors mustard based sauces, which are not on my favorite list. But there is only one way to know what you enjoy eating, and that is to try it.

While in school at Chesapeake Virginia I drove over to N.C. about four miles away and ask for two BBQ sandwiches. The lady gives me BBQ sandwiches with a mustard base with cole slaw on it. I said Maam what the heck is this. I gave her ten dollars and walked out. I do not eat cole slaw on my BBQ. That has to be an aquired taste. Yuck is my only response. :BigA:

 

[JH-ATL]

Bayou

I loooooooooove mustasrd based on pork & chicken......right......each to his own.

 

[TDBama78]

they claim that lexington ,nc is the bbq capital of at least nc. and mustard based sauces are the most common in the region. white sauce on bbq chicken is the absolute best. my parents used to take us kids to woodalls bbq near decatur,ala,where the white sauce all started. they had a big buffalo head in the place and big drink cooler . their bbq was the best ive ever had.

 

[bayoutider]

Bayou

I loooooooooove mustasrd based on pork & chicken......right......each to his own.

Mustard sauce rocks on chicken but I get in such a rut sometimes I have to force myself to use something besides my favorite when I cook. I'll try just about anything at least once, maybe twice just to be sure. I do like mustard BBQ sauce on BBQ rabbit.

Love Big Bob Gibson's white sauce but we use it as a dipping sauce for our chicken. Ain't we weird?

Slaw doesn't bother me one bit on a BBQ sammich. I like dill pickles on my BBQ sammich and some pickled peppers are good too.

 

[BangnBamaBill]

Mustard sauce rocks on chicken but I get in such a rut sometimes I have to force myself to use something besides my favorite when I cook. I'll try just about anything at least once, maybe twice just to be sure. I do like mustard BBQ sauce on BBQ rabbit.

Love Big Bob Gibson's white sauce but we use it as a dipping sauce for our chicken. Ain't we weird?

Slaw doesn't bother me one bit on a BBQ sammich. I like dill pickles on my BBQ sammich and some pickled peppers are good too.

I smoke chicken breasts (healthy-fied BBQ) and make a home version of Big Bob's or John Boy and Billy's Grillin' sauce (a couple of syndicated dj's out of Charlotte,NC) . Their sauce is a sweet but tart mustard-based sauce. As folks say around here, "Them's some gooood eat'n!" So, no, Bayou you're not weird.

 

[SCrammerjammer]

Whitt's BBQ in Nashville is great--vinegar and slaw.
SC has the best mustard based BBQ--Maurice's in Columbia; SC serves a hash w/rice that's great standard.
Pulled pork in Bama rocks.

 

[da_sack86]

I only like mustard based sauce on chicken but to each his own.

Mustard based suace on anything is the only way to eat BBQ.

 

[AllTide]

I can honestly say I have never ran into a BBQ sammich I havn't liked.

My least favorites are the ones with dry meat and burnt ends (thick bark). But with enough slaw, sauce, pickles and yes even mayo those arn't to bad. I wonder who or what area started putting mayo on a BBQ sammich.

To each his own.

 

[TDBama78]

I can honestly say I have never ran into a BBQ sammich I havn't liked.

My least favorites are the ones with dry meat and burnt ends (thick bark). But with enough slaw, sauce, pickles and yes even mayo those arn't to bad. I wonder who or what area started putting mayo on a BBQ sammich.

To each his own.

my brother used to live in jackson mo. and being from no. ala. he went looking for a bbq joint. one guy at his work said so and so is the place to go. so he went. their idea of a good bbq sandwich is pork with pimento cheese,yes thats right pimento cheese. we both decided that jackson,mo would be a prime spot for a bbq rest. they are starving for good bbq. if you like bbq and live in no alabama you dont know how fortunate you really are.

 

[ddsmit]

I can honestly say I have never ran into a BBQ sammich I havn't liked.

My least favorites are the ones with dry meat and burnt ends (thick bark). But with enough slaw, sauce, pickles and yes even mayo those arn't to bad. I wonder who or what area started putting mayo on a BBQ sammich.

To each his own.

Some folks out in Texas say a beef brisket oughta look like a meteorite when cooked properly.:biggrin2:

 

[ncbama]

they claim that lexington ,nc is the bbq capital of at least nc. and mustard based sauces are the most common in the region. white sauce on bbq chicken is the absolute best. my parents used to take us kids to woodalls bbq near decatur,ala,where the white sauce all started. they had a big buffalo head in the place and big drink cooler . their bbq was the best ive ever had.

I eat barbeque in Lexington, NC often and have never, and I mean never, had mustard based sauce. Lexington barbeque is served with something called "dip" that is vinegar and brown sugar based. Mustard based sauce is much more common in South Carolina.
North Carolina has three distinct regions of barbeque.
1. Mountains. The sauce is tomato based.
2. Piedmont. The sauce is vinegar based, often with brown sugar
3. Coastal plains, or Eastern NC. Barbeque is served with Brunswick Stew, corn sticks and slaw.
I have lived in all three sections of the state and love the barbeque in all three.