Authentic NC BBQ

[=Mark]

Was passing through Charlotte International Airporton my way to Huntsville last Monday and had time to catch a bite to eat. Was looking at the menu posted outside the "Cheers" faux pub and restaurant and saw "Authentic North Carolina Pork BBQ" as one of the offerings. Being less than 2 weeks since Varmin's Pig Pickin I figure what the heck, lets see what these folks consider to be authentic.

Was actually surprised! For a chain operation the place actually turned out a passable product, which is unusual in most any type of commercial operation. It had somewhat less of the "Mr. Brown" bits of crispy smoked outer pig than I prefer, but was fairly juicy and was topped with a minimal amount of vinegary slaw. The only major departure was the addition of a little plastic container of what was closer to a Memphis style BBQ sauce than anything NC. Varmint would have been in the kitchen kicking ass & taking names...

Edited October 24, 2003 by =Mark (log)

[Varmint]

Yeah, Mark knows how sensitive I am when it comes to North Carolina barbecue when he put out bottles of his wonderful, but tremendously out of place, "Carolina Mustard Sauce" on the table at the pig pickin'. Mustard sauce turns outstanding North Carolina barbecue into outstanding South Carolina barbecue. Seeing I live in North Carolina, we just couldn't have none of that here.

[kpurvis]

I'm on my way to Charlotte Douglas in an hour. I'll remember that tip if I need a last-minute fix. And while I apologize on behalf of my city for the sauce, I will point out with civic pride that Charlotte has good rocking chairs in its airport.

[Varmint]

You set 'em straight, Kathi. And don't fall asleep in one of those rockers.

[Thrak]

Next time, if you want a good bbq sandwich, go to Memphis. That vinegar based Carolina stuff is an absolute disgrace. What a way to destroy a good bbq sandwich- yuck. And as far as a Carolina Gold sauce- only Maurices so far tastes like more than just vinegar. My wife cleans her hair with vinegar. An aquired taste i suppose, but i thought ya'll had better taste.

[Varmint]

Thrak, I hope your comment was made in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek manner, as you certainly know how much pride comes into play when it comes to regional variations of barbecue. Regardless, if you still believe that Memphis barbecue is superior to what we produce in North Carolina, I'd like your reasoning why, including why vinegar ruins the dish. I recently held a pig pickin' where I made both eastern and western style NC barbecue, and the many out of town guests who were a tad suspicious of the vinegar unanimously declared my barbecue to be the best pork they ever had.

Regardless, I look forward to a friendly debate on this particular issue. If you were joking, then I apologize for missing it -- I'm tired!

[Malawry]

I am fond of many types of bbq, but nothing matches NC BBQ in my heart. Especially when Varmint is the pitmaster.

In general I like tart flavors, and a real NC vinegary BBQ sauce is a thing of delight on slow-smoked pork.

[KatieLoeb]

Next time, if you want a good bbq sandwich, go to Memphis. That vinegar based Carolina stuff is an absolute disgrace. What a way to destroy a good bbq sandwich- yuck. And as far as a Carolina Gold sauce- only Maurices so far tastes like more than just vinegar. My wife cleans her hair with vinegar. An aquired taste i suppose, but i thought ya'll had better taste.

Thrak:

As one of the many sated guests at Dean's most gracious Pig Pickin', I too would wonder first, what makes Memphis BBQ distinctive, and second, what is it about NC BBQ that you don't like? Is it just the vinegary-ness? Is it the slaw on top as opposed to on the side? You'll have to be a bit more specific about the source of your dismay and speak out with more pride and specifics about Memphis style for those of us that haven't had the pleasure. I often wonder about the regional differences in BBQ styles, and since I haven't been fortunate enough to visit all these various places, like Blanche DuBois, I rely on the kindness of strangers to set me right

I, for one, was surprised that the vinegar really sort of cut the greasiness of the pork down and was quite pleasant tasting with the pork when done well and with subtlety. Nothing tastes good with too much vinegar on it, including vinaigrette dressing!

I look forward to an informative reply...

[maggiethecat]

An aquired taste i suppose, but i thought ya'll had better taste.

What passes for a BBQ pork sandwich here in Illinois sports a sauce like Open Pit. Gee, I always liked them just fine.

But I've been introduced to the tart glories of vinergary pulled pork in the last six months, both here and at Varmint's Pig Pickin', Now I can understand just how partisan folks get about their local version of Q. I find--not surprisingly-- that the NC sauce lets the flavor of the pig shine through, and yes, cuts the delicious grease a tad.

Help me out, thrack. I'm just a Yankee Gal longing to know more 'bout Q. Tell me how you folks do it in Memphis.

[Al_Dente]

I do like all kinds of Q, but as another Varmint's Pig Pickin alumni, I gotta say that the vinegar can have a magical influence on that pork. I love NC style-- eastern or western.

[Mummer]

Meat! Smoke! Pork! Beef!

Even damn chicken! (I'm a KFC alum from college days. There are many things I'd rather eat than chicken.)

I've only eaten Memphis BBQ once. I was returning from a family reunion in Austin this June. I had an Austin beef BBQ at their airport - certainly the last place you'd trust for food - but I had it none the less. Philly was hours away.

My connections became frazzled. I was on a plane to Memphis. I arrived to find that my gate was adjacent to ??? Famous Memphis BBQ. All of the airline staff was in line. I had eaten two hours earlier. I asked myself, "What would Holly do?"

That was the answer. I got in line and bought a chopped BBQ sammie. It was very good. A yellow roll and a mound of good meat, stacked with slaw and Memphis BBQ sauce. Again, it was very good.

But it was very sweet. That, I propose, is the point here. The Cackalackies feel they've reduced the sugar appropriately. Others disagree.

Eat whereever you want.

[Thrak]

I've lived in TN, SC, and now Chicago. I'm not talking about ribs- only a smoked butt on the Webers. From my eating experiences in NC and SC i've only found that the butt is usually about half smoked, shredded, and soaked in straight vinegar. Same goes for the slaw etc. Mustard based Carolina sauce such as Scott's or Prosser's just doesn't do justice to a properly smoked pork shoulder. Those things take time...and an alarm clock- believe me! Yes Memphis sauce is a bit thicker and sweeter, more like SBR's, but the pork hasn't been covered with vinegar. In Memphis a pulled pork sandwich consists of a cheap white hamburger bun covered with a big pile of juicy pink pulled (or chopped) pork shoulder "slowly smoked", coleslaw (not vinegar based)- and not mayonaisse based either, and a sweet kinda thick or thin bbq sauce. The BBQ places are everywhere, just like a local favorite in your area, ie Vienna hot dog stands in Chicago. All i'm saying is that a Memphis BBQ sandwich doesn't taste like pickeled eggs or whatever, from one of those big jars at the corner bar. In Chicago now, it's hard to find any non- yankee bbq that hasn't been roasted in an oven and boiled in sauce. And coleslaw on your sandwich? Forget about it Everybody, these are just my opinions and i know each region does a different style and i wasn't at Varmint's pig pickin, but if you want to try a really good bbq- go to Memphis (in the meantime). Sorry, couldn't resist the lyric. Grant F

[Varmint]

Thanks for the response, Thrak. I think you've managed to taste some bad NC barbecue, and that's a heck of a lot easier to find than the good stuff. If you're ever in the Raleigh area, let me know, and I'll show you how a vinegar-based sauce can enhance, rather than mask, the flavor of the pork.

And keep on posting!!!!

[Al_Dente]

I've lived in TN, SC, and now Chicago. I'm not talking about ribs- only a smoked butt on the Webers. From my eating experiences in NC and SC i've only found that the butt is usually about half smoked, shredded, and soaked in straight vinegar. Same goes for the slaw etc. Mustard based Carolina sauce such as Scott's or Prosser's just doesn't do justice to a properly smoked pork shoulder. Those things take time...and an alarm clock- believe me! Yes Memphis sauce is a bit thicker and sweeter, more like SBR's, but the pork hasn't been covered with vinegar. In Memphis a pulled pork sandwich consists of a cheap white hamburger bun covered with a big pile of juicy pink pulled (or chopped) pork shoulder "slowly smoked", coleslaw (not vinegar based)- and not mayonaisse based either, and a sweet kinda thick or thin bbq sauce. The BBQ places are everywhere, just like a local favorite in your area, ie Vienna hot dog stands in Chicago. All i'm saying is that a Memphis BBQ sandwich doesn't taste like pickeled eggs or whatever, from one of those big jars at the corner bar. In Chicago now, it's hard to find any non- yankee bbq that hasn't been roasted in an oven and boiled in sauce. And coleslaw on your sandwich? Forget about it Everybody, these are just my opinions and i know each region does a different style and i wasn't at Varmint's pig pickin, but if you want to try a really good bbq- go to Memphis (in the meantime). Sorry, couldn't resist the lyric. Grant F

Well, this baby wasn't half smoked-- it was slow cooked over hickory, pecan, and a few other varieties for something like 14 hours. It was sublime. I can't imagine it being much better.

I'm sure there are some places in NC that take shortcuts, but I've rarely experienced anything merely good-- almost always at least excellent.

[Thrak]

Hey Varmint, if you have another pig pickin we'll be there...But i still have my opinion I could tell you some priceless food stories.

[Al_Dente]

Hey Varmint, if you have another pig pickin we'll be there...But i still have my opinion I could tell you some priceless food stories.

Varmint-- you'll have to have another pickin if only to convert this poor soul.

[mighty quinn]

oh yes, that POOR LOST SOUL! N.C. BBQ RULES!!!

[Varmint]

Hey Varmint, if you have another pig pickin we'll be there...But i still have my opinion I could tell you some priceless food stories.

Thrak, priceless food stories is what eGullet is all about!! Share them with all of us!

[jwagnerdsm]

If it will get me an invite to your next Pig Pickin' confab, then I'm going to begin extolling the virtues of Des Moines style barbecue: That would be a pork chop with ketchup on the side

[Varmint]

If it will get me an invite to your next Pig Pickin' confab, then I'm going to begin extolling the virtues of Des Moines style barbecue: That would be a pork chop with ketchup on the side

You were invited to the last pig pickin'!!!! Everyone on eGullet was invited.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't hold your breath for another one.

[jwagnerdsm]

What if I brought the pig?

[Squeat Mungry]

I'm very sorry I wasn't able to attend Varmint's pig-pickin', as I'm an old east-NC boy (Bladen County) and really miss east-NC barbeque! Here in San Francisco, the only available barbeque is memphis-style, and it is too sweet for my tastes.

When I was growing up, the publicly-expressed consensus among my extended family and their friends was that the only edible barbeque was homemade, and that the stuff available at the stands/restaurants was strictly for tourists. Privately, however, each individual seemed to have one special roadside stand they relied on when they needed a quick fix!

Cheers,

Squeat

[Sidratha]

Howdy all.

I am new to this forum, found while searching out recipies for NC BBQ.

I was born a Tar Heel my Momma being a Wilmington girl, Got tons of kin in NC but never kept track of them to my sorrow, for now I live in StJoseph MO after having lived in GA most of my life, but I digress, to my sorrow because I have no one to explain to me what goes into Eastern NC BBQ and I dearly love the stuff. Have been scoffed at most my life for piling coleslaw on my BBQ from FLA to TX coleslaw has topped them all if available.

I am begging anyone that will to send me recipies for the maranaide, rubs, sauce, woods used to get that special flavor, times and types of meat, whatever it takes to make my own Boston Butt taste like the ambrosia that is NC BBQ ....... I have experimented with what I think I taste as the guide only to fail dismally .... Help for I am lost and hungry.

Everytime Momma used to go to Wilmingtom or Mayple Hill she would always bring me 5lbs of BBQ and some Paul'sPlace Chow chow <somewhere arround Burgall> the BBQ came from a restraunt that she used to go to as a child somewhere arround Wrightfull Beach can not recall the Name but been there sine the 40's. Oh and 2 bottles of their sauce.

NC BBQ Rules.

Sidratha

awaits at sidratha@sidratha.net with rumbling tummy

[Squeat Mungry]

Sidratha,

Welcome to eGullet from another long dislodged tarheel! (I was born in Wilmington, though my kin are mostly Bladen County folk.)

I, too, am hoping Varmint or someone will post recipes enabling us to recreate the wonderful eastern North Carolina BBQ from our past! Varmint?

How'd you end up in MO? (My brother now lives in Columbia, where he runs an art-house cinema/cafe.)

Cheers,

Squeat

Edited November 9, 2003 by Squeat Mungry (log)

[phlawless]

There's a relatively new place for BBQ in the Triangle: the Q shack...owned and operated by Scott Howell of Nana's. Wondered if anyone from here has an opinion, though it's not true eastern NC style, they have some sort of 'battle' between Western NC and Texas style. He's got one open in Durham now with a shop in Raleigh soon to open. Though an eastern fan myself, i appreciate the option they provide. But the sides suck...why doesn't anyone do mac n' cheese right? Where are the collards, and decent black eyed peas? The experiences i've had (Wilber's, Lexington, Cooper's: except the pork rinds) all make good Q but the sides are severly lacking.