What styles of barbeque exist in American cuisine?

Question

I'm originally from the Michigan thus i don't know much about barbeque due to the lack of barbeque establishments.

From my understanding (correct me if i'm wrong), there are several regional variations or styles of BBQ in the US. Each of type is defined by a BBQ technique or method: Texas (Brisket style), St. Louis, etc.

Thus my question; what other types of BBQ currently exist and what defines it?

Asked by chrisjlee

Answer

There's a great YouTube video by Rhett & Link called the The BBQ Song (A Review of BBQ in the Southern United States) that is actually a really good starting point for answering this question.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

In the mountains of Tennessee, they like a smoky sauce.
But over there in ole Memphis, a dry rubbed rib is boss.

The folks down in Georgia can't make up their mind,
You can give it to 'em sweet or spicy, and they'll say "that tastes alright."

You might think that South Carolinians are just a little bit off,
Would you believe their BBQ's yellow--with a mustard sauce?

Pork shoulder is the cut of choice in Mississippi
And they pride themselves on BBQ that's totally vinegary.

And Louisiana, them Cajuns,
they like to spice it up. They like to spice it up.

This is our review of BBQ,
in the southern United States.
And when my life is through,
bury me in BBQ,
But make sure it's vinegar based,
cause you know that slows decay,
and it's the style from our home state, North Carolina! Solo!

Mutton is big in west Kentucky, that's a fancy name for sheep,
But in the rest of the state, sliced pork butt is what they eat.

Arkansas is kinda like Georgia, a BBQ meltin' pot,
and when you ain't looking, them good ole boys'll make that BBQ hot!

Alabama's got the strangest thing I've seen in my BBQ days,
Cause their BBQ sauce is white, made out of mayonnaise.

Down in Texas, where the long horn steer roam free,
They love to smoke their brisket, that's a big ol' slab of beef.

And down in Florida...
Is Florida a southern state? No it ain't.

This is our review of BBQ,
in the southern United States.
And when my life is through,
bury me in BBQ. . .

People not from the south
think BBQ means "cookout"
and that's something they're wrong about.

(Spoken outro:)
BBQ is not a verb, BBQ is not a grill
BBQ is meat prepared in a very special way
Which varies depending on where you go

Answered by Callithumpian

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