This question originally appeared on Quora. 
Answer by Matthew Kane, Managing Partner, Morefield Partners
Although there are dozens of variations of BBQ throughout the US, as described in the map above, there are generally
4 main barbecue styles in the US
. Here are the main differences (though they aren't set in stone, as bbq varies within each region and at different establishments):
Memphis
- Meat of Choice: Pork
- Wood of Choice: Hickory (Oak, Pecan, Apple, Cherry also used)
- Famous Dish: Pork Ribs "Wet" (slathered with sauce after smoking) or "Dry" (no sauce, just dry rubbed with seasonings and smoked)
- Sauce Style: Tomato & Vinegar Base
Texas
- Meat of Choice: Beef
- Wood of Choice: Oak
- Famous Dish: Sliced Beef Brisket, Link Sausage
- Sauce Style: Spicy & Tangy Tomato Based Sauce with Some Sweetness
Kansas City
- Meat of Choice: Mix of All Meats (KC has influences from all other regions because of geographic location)
- Wood of Choice: Mix
- Famous Dish: BBQ Chicken, Ribs
- Sauce Style: Sweet Tomato Based Sauce with Molasses
Carolinas
- Meat of Choice: Pork
- Wood of Choice: Hickory; Oak also used
- Famous Dish: Pulled Pork, Whole Hog
- Sauce Style: Vinegar Based in East; Tomato Based in West; Mustard Based also Served in Georgia & South Carolina
I have added a graphic courtesy of
so as not to offend anyone as southerners take their bbq seriously.
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