States known for good Q

[Blue Dog BBQ]

Hello, I live in NC a state that people say is an upper echelon state for BBQ. I've read books, magazines, and news papers and they all talk about how good NC BBQ is. But take it from me not all of NC is BBQ minded. I've never had store/restaurant bought pit cooked BBQ. yes there are good BBQ places around. But they all cook on electric smokers. Don't get me wrong good BBQ can be cooked in many different ways I'm sure somebody can take canned BBQ and make it great. I doubt it though. What I'm trying to say is I'm learning on my own and now that I have found Smoked-meat.com The learning just got easier. And for that I say thanks ALOT. Am I wrong to think that pit smoked not electric smoked is the only way to make the best BBQ. I don't want to step on toes with this I'm just curious to know if I'm the only one who thinks this way.

[jwbtulsa]

I tend to think Oklahoma is a great state for good Q just in small doses. If you draw a line from KC to Austin, then another from the East Coast through Memphis, then you get a crossroad right in the Heartland. We don't have a huge cuisine culture here but what we have can be quite delicious. We are thankful to be influenced by everyone. Get a taste of it all

[Mark R]

You can get darn good "Q" out of an electric. Just ask Bearcarver! I prefer a fire, charcoal and wood mostly but I do sometimes use the watt burner. Works just fine.
Lot's of great "Q" in Florida. I think there is real good "Q" in all of the South...and just a little in Washington St....AND Oregon!

[gmotoman]

I have a friend that uses an electric smoker and turns out great Q. Electric, Gas, wood, charcoal are just the energy sources for heat. Application of wood chips, pellets, chunks or logs is where you get the 90-95% of the flavor. As long as it is slow cooked 200-275° I believed tht qualifies for BBQ. And I think TX is the best overall state in which I've enjoyed BBQ outside of my own backyard.

[Otis857]

Your point about not all of N.C. is BBQ minded, can apply to almost anywhere in the country. I certainly cant claim any knowledge about how good or extensive BBQ is in N.C. Hell, I live in the AZ desert, we're known for Rattle Snakes & Scorpions, not BBQ and I've only been there (Raleigh Durham area) once. But you do have a specific style (the vinegar based sauce w/ cole slaw style) in the Carolina's that is famous in the Q community. When I was there, I sure liked it! And I'd bet that style came from the back yard cooks long before that hit the restaurants. We're primarily back yard guys here, so Im sure you'll pick up some great tips and techniques here no matter what smoker you use. I sure did.

[chisoxjim]

Usual suspects as far as solid bbq states/cities:

K.C., Austin, memphis, N.C. Much of the south.

Actually going to louisville soon hoping to maybe try a bbq spot or two there.

As for electric and gas "smokers",

I'll go by the old advise: if you got nothing good to say say nothing.

[crusty ol salt]

welcome aboard my friend, glad you dropped in

here is the deal on smokers and the folks that use them.

I know of a dozen, maybe more, folks on here, that can take a heat source, whether it be charcoal (lumps, briquettes or homemade), electric (light bulbs, hot plates, of a watt burner coil), to sticks and logs and they can make some of the best Q in the world. I'm not braggin' just condensing what i have read on here over the years.

and here is how they do it.

They read, studied, watched, learned and ask questions...

Then they practice.

next they, read, studied, watched, learned and ask questions...

Then they practice.

then one day, it dawns on them, damn that some bad ass Q

Good luck glad you dropped in

[Bearcarver]

First I saw this thread:

Don't feel bad fisherman, if you mean store/restaurant type "Q", you could take the top 40 states, and NC would easily be in the top 10. PA wouldn't make the list of 40.
That's why we're forced to learn how to DIY.

Bear

[SmokinOutBack]

Best Que I ever had comes from New Jersey.

[Slanted88]

When I was in the Air Force (Goldsboro, NC) Scotts BBQ & Wilbers were aight joints...Scotts has the sauce that is pretty dern good. I really don't care what you cook on...elec/gas/charcoal/sticks...the end product is what I like...

[Bearcarver]

Best Que I ever had comes from New Jersey.

LOL----I wonder where that is??

Probably in Cherry Hill, just East of Camden !!


Bear

[Blue Dog BBQ]

Yall are right. I started this thread to soon. If I had just waited and read a little more I would have never started it. I now know that you can smoke anything with anything and if you know what your doing it can be awesome. and as far as good states for bbq. I think it the area where you live my area in NC doesn't have a wide variety of BBQ to chose from but east of me is said to be the best in the country. All that said I think my BBQ is better than any restaurant. And since I found this site its getting better and a bigger variety of menu items. Who knew you could smoke cheese So thanks to all the people on this site.

[Richtee]

BBQ has really become a national obsession over the last few years. I'd be willing to bet you could find a few places in every state that deserve the title of good BBQ. I know of 3 here in MI, and I'm willing to bet there's a couple more.

that said... every state no doubt has great quality backyarders, caterers, and comp teams. I'll be going to a rib burn tomorrow, and there will be 30 teams there, and I'll bet 20 of them have won several awards on the KCBS circuit. Don't ignore anything N of the Mason-Dixon line is all I'm saying

[Richtee]

Who knew you could smoke cheese So thanks to all the people on this site.

OK... fine... Sigh...

[Bearcarver]

LOL---The Most Famous Cheese Smoke on The Planet !!!


Bear