Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Let’s talk barbecue. North Carolina barbecue. Some of the best barbecue in the land. Forget Memphis or Kansas City or those other pretenders.
The age-old argument about which is better – eastern N.C.’s or western N.C.’s ‘cue – crops up from time to time. I’m here to tell you that eastern-style wins, hands down.
I’ve been holding back on this subject, just because it’s one of those subjects that really doesn’t need to be argued about, unless the people talking about the topic really don’t know what they’re talking about.
ABC’s World News Tonight picked up on this AP story, which is hooked on a bill in the state legislature about nothing. The bill seeks to have Lexington’s barbecue festival named the official state barbecue festival.
Lexington is home to the western style of N.C. barbecue, which adds tomato sauce to the state’s vinegar-based sauce. The eastern style does without the tomato sauce, and makers there set themselves apart by adding all types of spices, herbs, wiskey and other secret ingrediants. The other major difference between the two is that western-style goes with just shoulder meat, while eastern goes whole hog. Here’s a primer.
I’ve lived and worked across this great state, and I’ve eaten plenty of both styles.
Eastern wins because it’s the more pure sauce, and it brings out the flavor of the pig. The tomato sauce in the west covers up the taste of the flavorful meat. (If you’re wondering, there is no other barbecue than roast pig. Don’t even think about mentioning barbecue chicken in this debate – it’s all about the pig.)
Eastern wins because of the Brunswick stew and the corn sticks that often come with the sauce. Eastern wins because of the way the hushpuppies soak up wth wonderful ambrosia. Eastern wins because of the way the taste of a cold Budweiser perfectly complements it.
Eastern wins because it goes whole hog.
Tryon’s barbecue festival is just more than a week away. Grillers from all over will come to serve up their specialties. I’m sure the debate will be raging. Go and sample. Tell me what you think.
Son, I really need you to come visit Florida and try Woody’s BBQ.
Dad
Why, thanks, Catnap. Unfortunately, my old friend Bubba is a “dirty objectifier” too. I’ve been tryin to get him into one of them sensitivity drum circles like they have up to Pack Square, but he’s always claiming his tie-dyes are in the cleaners.
bulldog rocks
TerryLynn’s right. Barbecue ain’t no verb. My friend Bubba says ’bout the worst thing he’s ever witnessed is some Yankee sippin’ Chardonnay and grillin’ chicken or some other gay recipe and sayin’, “Say, Bob, we’re barbecuing, you and Bruce wanna come over?”
Absolutely. And not only is barbecue ALWAYS pork, “barbecue” is not a verb.