In the United States, the definition of barbecue is rather difficult to summarize. However, many of the most notable barbecue specialists and instructional websites, including AmazingRibs.com, claim that true BBQ can only be defined by proper cooking techniques. These techniques include the use of a grill or smoker, cooking the meat at a low temperature in order to slow-roast, implementing a smoke flavor and adding sauces and/or spices to enhance the flavor. Some people are guided by the common misconception that barbecuing is as simple as grilling hamburgers for a family picnic, but those who live in America's most famous BBQ cities would likely disagree. Although flavorful meat venues can be found practically anywhere, here is a list of cities that dedicated barbecue enthusiasts (including those at US News) would reference.
St. Louis, MO. The "Show-Me State" is definitely known for its BBQ, and cities like Kansas City and St. Louis have the largest amount of restaurants in the region. Commonly referred to as the official gateway to the West, St. Louis boasts a wide variety of barbecue meats, including pulled pork, juicy ribs, brisket and hot links. This city is famous because of its savory dry rubs and sweet sauces with a brown sugar base - not to mention establishments (such as Pappy's Smokehouse) that have been in business for many generations.
Lockhart, Texas. Fire-roasted beef brisket is the name of the game in Lockhart, where German immigrants and western cattlemen had merged to create this mouth-watering tradition. This famous style of barbecue eventually spread throughout the entire region, but the old methods still remain in many of Lockhart's most popular venues, including Smitty's Market.
Lexington, NC. The North Carolina pig tradition began in the early days, when large families of farmers opted to slaughter their animals and serve their families during the frosty months of winter for natural refrigeration. The Lexington barbecue tradition is known for its pulled pork, which is typically marinated with a ketchup and vinegar sauce. At family establishments like BBQ Center, you can expect to enjoy sumptuous southern recipes like fried hushpuppies and vinegar-based slaw along with your delicious hog meat.
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