Ribs across America....

[Toby]

Originally Posted by billp

There are no ribs north of Florida and west of Memphis. I looked.

Hmmm, when did they move Memphis west of Texas?

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by Toby

Hmmm, when did they move Memphis west of Texas?

Most of the texas ribs I've had are of the beef variety and involve gnawing off the bone. Beef ribs are great as is texas bbq in general, but I generally consider it different from "southern BBQ".

In the south when i think ribs, i'm thinking pig, and cooked to the point that they're falling off the bone and slathered in a sweet sauce. In a proper BBQ joint the sauce is often applied literally with a mop.

The definitiion of proper BBQ quite literally depends upon where you're standing in the country.

Here in Georgia where I stand right now, my benchmark is Williamson Bros...pulled pork and a sweet 'n spicy sauce.

[Toby]

I can't argue with any of that, and to be honest I really prefer BBQ brisket over ribs, but then I'm just a transplanted Yankee.

Originally Posted by Hell Puppy

Most of the texas ribs I've had are of the beef variety and involve gnawing off the bone. Beef ribs are great as is texas bbq in general, but I generally consider it different from "southern BBQ".

In the south when i think ribs, i'm thinking pig, and cooked to the point that they're falling off the bone and slathered in a sweet sauce. In a proper BBQ joint the sauce is often applied literally with a mop.

The definitiion of proper BBQ quite literally depends upon where you're standing in the country.

Here in Georgia where I stand right now, my benchmark is Williamson Bros...pulled pork and a sweet 'n spicy sauce.

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by Toby

I can't argue with any of that, and to be honest I really prefer BBQ brisket over ribs, but then I'm just a transplanted Yankee.

Here's the thing about ribs for me...

I like ribs, but that's not the type of thing you'd eat on a first date or with anyone who you might wanna convince you have any sort of manners....

To enjoy really good ribs, you've gotta be able to roll your sleeves up, hang a napkin around your neck and be prepared to have it all over your face like a 3 year old eating spaghetti. A good rib joint will have a roll of paper towels on every table....and refills the roll often.

I mean, you ever watch lions kill something on Animal Planet? And the way they have blood all in their whiskers right after the meal before they settle down and bathe? Well, that's kinda how I look after a good batch of ribs, and I'm scary looking enough without having that going for me as well.

Nah, my everyday favorite BBQ is a simple pulled pork samitch.

[miz_wright]

Originally Posted by Hell Puppy

Here's the thing about ribs for me...

I like ribs, but that's not the type of thing you'd eat on a first date or with anyone who you might wanna convince you have any sort of manners....

To enjoy really good ribs, you've gotta be able to roll your sleeves up, hang a napkin around your neck and be prepared to have it all over your face like a 3 year old eating spaghetti. A good rib joint will have a roll of paper towels on every table....and refills the roll often.

I mean, you ever watch lions kill something on Animal Planet? And the way they have blood all in their whiskers right after the meal before they settle down and bathe? Well, that's kinda how I look after a good batch of ribs, and I'm scary looking enough without having that going for me as well.

Nah, my everyday favorite BBQ is a simple pulled pork samitch.

I'm pretty sure that you have to be Southern to appreciate that it doesn't count as FOOD until it's all over your face. And I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to have a discussion on a board that understands "barbeque" is a NOUN and not a VERB.

'Cos I dunno about y'all, but I get very confused when people start talking about "barbeque" and it's a freakin' hamburger. NO. THIS IS NOT BBQ.

As for what counts as "real" bbq? All pork, all the time. Period. Beef doesn't make good barbeque - it makes beef ribs in BBQ sauce :P

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by LizAEBN

I'm pretty sure that you have to be Southern to appreciate that it doesn't count as FOOD until it's all over your face. And I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to have a discussion on a board that understands "barbeque" is a NOUN and not a VERB.

'Cos I dunno about y'all, but I get very confused when people start talking about "barbeque" and it's a freakin' hamburger. NO. THIS IS NOT BBQ.

As for what counts as "real" bbq? All pork, all the time. Period. Beef doesn't make good barbeque - it makes beef ribs in BBQ sauce :P

Absolutely, if you're merely cooking outdoors, that is not a BBQ and you aren't BBQing unless there's some smoked pig and sauce involved. Burgers or steak on a grill is merely a cookout. Though that's yummy too.

[miz_wright]

Originally Posted by Hell Puppy

Absolutely, if you're merely cooking outdoors, that is not a BBQ and you aren't BBQing unless there's some smoked pig and sauce involved. Burgers or steak on a grill is merely a cookout. Though that's yummy too.

ZACKLY.

First time I heard someone say they were going to a barbeque, my (typically Southern) response was "oh, what kind?"

I was very confused when they seemed confused and answered "Y'know... Hamburgers and hotdogs...?"

Me: "... that's not barbeque. That's grilling out, the event is a cookout. How is this possible you don't know that?"

Them: "Um, in Boston, that's how this works."

Me: "Boston is, evidently, dumb."