My husband and I frequently debate the merits of Tennessee style BBQ vs. North Carolina style BBQ. As I understand it, there are actually 2 versions of Carolina BBQ but I’m specifically referring to the vinegar flavor chopped pork. And when I say TN style, I mean the tomato based sauce on pulled pork.
Though I grew up in TN, I am a true convert to the NC BBQ. When we first moved to NC back in 2002, I was very pregnant with my first child and quickly became a Smithfield’s addict. I love their BBQ sandwiches and those skinny little fries. I now firmly believe that only heathens put tomato sauce on their barbecue. My husband on the other hand is a staunch believer that NC BBQ is a result of the devil’s hounds leaving the Devil’s Stomping Grounds and somehow coming up with their very own recipe for BBQ. Since we *all* know TN is God’s country, TN BBQ is a recipe straight from the angels themselves.
While I don’t dispute that TN is God’s country, clearly NC BBQ is not from the devil’s hounds. The angels themselves had to come fight them when they strayed from that freaky circle in Siler City. They stuck around long enough to share their own BBQ recipe and then returned to the beauty of East TN.
Yeah, these are the kinds of conversation we have after a couple of margaritas at San Felipe for Cinco de Mayo. We also mused about what toe jam football might be when we heard a Beatles song and were told by our son that we laugh too much. That kid is just never satisfied!
