BBQ Differences

I hail from central Calif. (Fresno) and we alwayd said barbecue(BBQ for short) to mean cook meat outdoors and usually eat outdoors. As in Mom would say to dad: Lets have a bbq tonight. Meaning dad was to fire up the open topped grill, no hood or cover, fill the Pepsi bottle with water and put on a laundry sprinkle top for flare-ups.

In my very early 20's I found out what real BBQ was/is and have been practicing for almost 30 years now. Real BBQ is done low and slow. Temp should average 225 degrees. An indirect fire is used.

A slab of ribs will take about 6 hours to cook. A pork shoulder or Boston Butt will take between 8 and 12 hours. A beef brisket will take about 10 - 14 hours.

I like to use Kingsford charcoal with hunks of well soaked hickory for all my BBQ. I and the family prefer pork to beef but I'll do a whole brisket a couple times a year.

I plan on trying to make pastrami this year.

I now have some seasoned oak and hickory that I'm gonna experiment with. I'll burn the logs down to coals and then use them in the BBQ instead of charcoal.

I'm negotiating with a co-worker for his barely used Weber Smoky Mtn that has been sitting around for years. I want to give that a try.


BBQ, meat cooked slowly with wood or charcoal. Gas or electricity not allowed.

MikeS.

Hijacked.
As most of you know, I cannot find any decent BBQ here in SC.
For some reason, they want to bake ribs in the oven. I am not talking about Babies in major chain or local chain restaurants. To them here, it seems that ribs means country style. NO>
I mean ribs are RIBS.
I want real spare ribs.
I will settle for babies on a smokey grill.
But what is it that I got better Q in Maine that I can get here?
I know I speak of that often, and is redundant, but it is like Q we ate in Fla.
Real ribs, off the grill. Black char that you have to wipe off your teeth. That is real BBQ spareribs!
I am so disappointed here.
Still lurking around trying to find what "I" term as BBQ.
I guess what I like and what the south likes are 2 different things.
I am partial to Memphis dry rubs with that totally smokey flavor. Not something you bake in the oven and then toss on the grill with some sauce for 5 minutes.
As much as I love it here, the Q sucks.
I challenge someone here in South Carolina to show me some real smoked Q!

Tara,
Best BBQ is usually in someones back yard rather than restaurants anyway. Pick up a basic offset cooker for $150, a few racks of spares, and come back here if you need any cooking tips. You'll be a champion pitmaster, cooking whatever style you want, in no time.

Vayo con Queso

Thanks LSC...
It looks like that is what I have to do.

Roossy, I haven't read this whole thread but have you tried Sticky Fingers? Lots of talk about it on the net. I haven't been. Laststand is right of coarse but thers gotta be some good ribs served somewhere in SC.
Joe

quote:

Originally posted by PapaJoe8

Roossy, I haven't read this whole thread but have you tried Sticky Fingers? Lots of talk about it on the net. I haven't been. Laststand is right of coarse but thers gotta be some good ribs served somewhere in SC.
Joe

Funny you mention them. I was looking at their menu online last night and I am going there tonight. And, will report back.

Wow, have been Accused of being psy%$#k, neat! Yes, let us know and I hope it's to your liking. Now, if I can only figure out how WW5 will be fought.....
Joe

Ok... Went to Stickey Fingers.
They had a favorite item of mine, which I have posted about here.
Smoked Chicken Wings! (no sauce applied which is good)
Yum.
12 cost $7.99

I also got the rib sampler.. You get a choice of 4 out of 5 of their sauces with this. It is about 9 bones--$15.99.
(there are 2 ribs missing from the box pictured)
I also picked up 2 of their 4 sauces, and the hot has quite a kick to it. Their "standard" Memphis sauce is smokey with a bit of sweet and also tasty.

Now, I am looking for ribs like the Mayor posted on his roadtrip photos.
Looking at these, they look like overgrown Baby Backs, and NOT spare ribs, which is what I am looking for.
I saw a plate go by me that had what looked like spare ribs on it.
Can someone identify these ribs in my pic?
I am going to call the restaurant and inquire.
They are good though.
Beans are kinda bland, but once I added some of their habenero bbq sauce to it, they were better and the coleslaw is basic-very light mayo based, and I had to add salt and pepper to it. Nothing special about either one.

Golly Tara, if the box on the left was 16 bucks I hope it would be very good!!

quote:

Originally posted by NebGuy

Golly Tara, if the box on the left was 16 bucks I hope it would be very good!!

Kinda skimpy, eh?
I thought the same thing. They get $13.99 for half rack, and $18.99 for a full rack.
I guess I am still on the search for REAL ribs.
I would go back to try other things. THey have smoked chicken and pulled pork also, with a variety of combo meals offered.

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

quote:

Originally posted by NebGuy

Golly Tara, if the box on the left was 16 bucks I hope it would be very good!!

Kinda skimpy, eh?
I thought the same thing. They get $13.99 for half rack, and $18.99 for a full rack.
I guess I am still on the search for REAL ribs.
I would go back to try other things. THey have smoked chicken and pulled pork also, with a variety of combo meals offered.

You got ripped off.

quote:

Originally posted by WVHillbilly

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

quote:

Originally posted by NebGuy

Golly Tara, if the box on the left was 16 bucks I hope it would be very good!!

Kinda skimpy, eh?
I thought the same thing. They get $13.99 for half rack, and $18.99 for a full rack.
I guess I am still on the search for REAL ribs.
I would go back to try other things. THey have smoked chicken and pulled pork also, with a variety of combo meals offered.

You got ripped off.

Par for the course in a chain restaurant in a tourist town.
But if I didnt go, then I would have never known.
Thats why I am on the search for a local Q joint.
THe quest never ends!
Just aint no RIBS in my area!

Well Tara, you forced me into it, my second post here. Funny I found this site from an Italian from NY at a Q Cookoff in Charlotte NC. He made great southern Q his ribs were good but a little tough off the bone (I like em to pull loose with a little tug). He and I have exchanged several recipes. I needed a great marinara and he needed a good vinegar based sauce.

So hopefully some of the "more sperianced" will cut me a little slack.

Any way here ya go, try "Little Pigs" 6102 Frontage RD phone is 843-692-9774, they are just south of 65th ave in a small location (next to a convenience store. Their Q is delish. Never had the ribs.

I too have been to Sticky whatever and found them less than what I expected.

Will wait to hear what you think.

ScottB

Frayedknot..
That is a cool name.. LOL--
Makes me think of a joke that I tell often.. One of those Groaners!
A rope walks into a bar.. la la la..
But still one I love to tell..
welcome to roadfood, and please dont let me scare you off!
At least we have the same thoughts about Stickeys!
Uh, Little pigs...
I plead the 5th on them.
First of all, they dont serve ribs.
Bummed me out when they told me that.
2nd.. that is cool about the vinegar sauce. I like a vinegar hot sauce and would love to see your recipe here.
And 3rd, it is nice to see someone else from the area posting.
I am not a native, and it obviously shows about my lack of finding Q-that is to MY tastes.
I mean Florida isnt that far away, but the style of Q is sure worlds away.
So.. actually, if you use the search key, and type in little pigs, they might pop up in some threads. There are some mighty fine threads here, and great reading.
Again, welcome, and DONT be shy!

What do they do with all those ribs that aren't in SC? Is this like the Russians liking our Dark Chicken Parts and us obliging them by shipping 'em all over there?
Maybe the ribs are shipped West to Memphis and KC, where they know which part of the PIG to Prepare. Hmmmm.

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

Hijacked.
As most of you know, I cannot find any decent BBQ here in SC.
For some reason, they want to bake ribs in the oven. I am not talking about Babies in major chain or local chain restaurants. To them here, it seems that ribs means country style. NO>
I mean ribs are RIBS.
I want real spare ribs.
I will settle for babies on a smokey grill.

I'll continue the hijack.

You might check some of the church BBQs on weekends. Some of the best BBQ can be found at rural church dinners.

Let me just put it this way.
I like spare ribs, and it seems when I finally do see ribs somewhere, they are the country style.
Or babies at chains.
Thats what I meant by "my tastes" VS what apparently is the taste here in my general vicinity.
Not knocking SC ribs, just missing what I like.
And, NO..It wont be "when in Rome" for me.
I do love it here though..

roosy,
just looking at the pic the ribs look like #416a,spareribs,st louis style,weight range a. the key to what type of rib you have is the shape of the bone. spareribs will be oval in shape and smooth. #422 loin,back ribs (baby backs) will be rounder and will have two grooves along them where the muscles insert into the bone.
hope it helps you some in your rib quest
jack

quote:

Originally posted by prisonchef

roosy,
just looking at the pic the ribs look like #416a,spareribs,st louis style,weight range a. the key to what type of rib you have is the shape of the bone. spareribs will be oval in shape and smooth. #422 loin,back ribs (baby backs) will be rounder and will have two grooves along them where the muscles insert into the bone.
hope it helps you some in your rib quest
jack

Thanks so much Prisonchef. I am glad someone finally answered me on just what kind of ribs they were.
Meaty, and thin bones, but longer than the usual Babies I have seen locally.

quote:

Originally posted by Photokirk

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

Hijacked.
As most of you know, I cannot find any decent BBQ here in SC.
For some reason, they want to bake ribs in the oven. I am not talking about Babies in major chain or local chain restaurants. To them here, it seems that ribs means country style. NO>
I mean ribs are RIBS.
I want real spare ribs.
I will settle for babies on a smokey grill.

I'll continue the hijack.

You might check some of the church BBQs on weekends. Some of the best BBQ can be found at rural church dinners.

Photokirk!-Thanks.
THAT, is a great idea. I will keep my eyes out for signs. There are a million churches here, or at least it seems like one on every corner.
I am sure as summer gets in swing, there will be many BBQ's.

Roossy,
Henry's Smokehouse in Greenville on Wade Hampton Blvd is THE place for ribs in SC. They have a second location but I have never been there. I'm a NC native so ribs are not something I'm used to at a Q place.

Here's a difference: check out those Neeeeew Yooooork City prices,

http://www.virgilsbbq.com/entree.htm

Holy Cow, that is some expensive BBQ!

quote:

Originally posted by V960

Roossy,
Henry's Smokehouse in Greenville on Wade Hampton Blvd is THE place for ribs in SC. They have a second location but I have never been there. I'm a NC native so ribs are not something I'm used to at a Q place.

A tad bit for a dinner, but I will keep the name handy for when I do make a road trip there.
Thanks.
Tara

lets see what is real bbq? well it might be getting up and starting a fire at 3:00am.putting logs on to keep up your heat,smoke,and pitch a little water to get some steam.load your pit down with mutton rib,mutton hams,cured hams,beef brisket,mutton sholders,pork hams,pork ribs,chickens and muttons necks. now you could set down and watch your fire so it doesn't burn or catch a frie.now you may wont to get up and turn all your meats. if you wont to. just a thought. now lets throw some more water to keep your fire down don't wont to burn your meat. now lets turn again and start to dip all your meat with a blend of what your wont to put on your meat.ok lets throw some more water on. and dont for get to keep adding wood your choice. now lets turn and dip your meat again let do this till around 5:00pm. whew what a day!!! now go home at do what we have to do at home to keep the wife happy. now go and coach the grand kids play ball. or watch the grand daugt. dance. maybe go get some pizza with them.get home at around 9:00 or 10:00pm. and get up and do it again 6 days a week. this could be bar-be-que? tony willett

quote:

Originally posted by tony willett

lets see what is real bbq? well it might be getting up and starting a fire at 3:00am.putting logs on to keep up your heat,smoke,and pitch a little water to get some steam.load your pit down with mutton rib,mutton hams,cured hams,beef brisket,mutton sholders,pork hams,pork ribs,chickens and muttons necks. now you could set down and watch your fire so it doesn't burn or catch a frie.now you may wont to get up and turn all your meats. if you wont to. just a thought. now lets throw some more water to keep your fire down don't wont to burn your meat. now lets turn again and start to dip all your meat with a blend of what your wont to put on your meat.ok lets throw some more water on. and dont for get to keep adding wood your choice. now lets turn and dip your meat again let do this till around 5:00pm. whew what a day!!! now go home at do what we have to do at home to keep the wife happy. now go and coach the grand kids play ball. or watch the grand daugt. dance. maybe go get some pizza with them.get home at around 9:00 or 10:00pm. and get up and do it again 6 days a week. this could be bar-be-que? tony willett

Sounds like real Q to me and lots of work!
Oops, footnote here:

Keep up the good work!

Ain't nothin' easy about REAL barbecue, except the consumption... That's why it's a dying art.