Living Outside The Lines: “BBQ Southern Style”

Memphis’ iconic fare has earned it the coveted moniker “Barbecued Pork Capital of the World.”

by, Becky j Miller

Having lived most of my life in two of the top ten most BBQ crazed states, I consider myself a bit of an armchair expert on the subject.  Whether anyone else agrees with my so-called expertise has no bearing on the opinion of my taste buds.

BBQ lovers should not be surprised to find Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas and North Carolina made top honors. What differs greatly amongst the BBQ Loving States of America is primarily style and originality.

All the listed states cook and eat thousands of pounds of flesh annually, but only Tennessee, Texas, and North Carolina earn points for originality. Memphis’ iconic fare has earned it the coveted moniker “Barbecued Pork Capital of the World.”

In Memphis pork i.e. ribs, shoulders, tips are slow cooked in a pit AKA “pit barbecue.” As a Southern girl crazy about pork, Memphis style fare is one of my favorites! On a trip from Texas to Florida, I had a layover in Memphis. Always prepared, I researched eateries in the Memphis airport. Any doubt where this is headed? Yep, I found a BBQ restaurant in the airport and made sure to pick up a pulled pork sandwich on my way to Florida, and again going home to Texas. 

On one of my husband’s trips to Kenya, his return flight was diverted through Memphis. I strongly urged him to be sure and bring home some Memphis BBQ. His response, “Those sandwiches are $8 each!!” Me, “And??” Of course, he came home with TWO sandwiches, one for each of us. 

Much like Memphis, most of the other Southern BBQ states also smoke pork products. Living in South Carolina until my mid-teenage years, the move to Texas was truly BBQ culture shock! As a young Southern girl arriving in Texas, I looked around and asked, “Don’t Texans have pigs????” “What’s this brisket business?” “Don’t y’all know pigs are better eatin’ than cows???” 

I quickly found out in Texas “Beef is King & brisket is the holy grail of BBQ.” For a Southern gal accustomed to pork, brisket is an acquired taste. Although, after living in Texas almost 30 years, I can honestly say I’ve arrived at destination “Brisket Lover.” However, given a choice, this girl will always choose pork!!

My daddy, a retired USAF veteran purchased a Hibachi pot on one of his trips abroad. He used it to smoke THE BEST Boston butts ever!! For anyone uneducated in all things pork, the butt is actually the upper part of the shoulder from the front leg. It is the most common cut used for pulled pork. #Delicious!

While I am giving shout outs, I must recognize our former pastor from Copperas Cove, Texas, who to this day holds the honored title of, “Brisket King”. Without him, I’m certain I would never have developed a taste for brisket. The man treats brisket like a precious child with tender marinade, precise temperatures, and patient slow cooking. It is “melt in your mouth” delicious!! Should he so desire, I’ve no doubt he could earn a living smoking briskets. They are absolutely that good!! #nocomparison

The other thing about Texas BBQ is, one never knows what to expect in the way of meat selection. When my husband was a junior high football coach traveling the Central Texas region for scouting, he’d regale me with tales of Cooper’s BBQ in Llano. FINALLY, one opened in nearby New Braunfels. The pits are indoors, but the BBQ is outta this world!! 

I love going to Cooper’s because they have pork loin AND turkey. Shhh… Yes, this pork lovin’ Southern Girl is also a huge fan of smoked turkey. They’re both white meat, so it’s totally permissible.  I also love smoked ham (p.s. ham is pork), but that’s a bit harder to find ‘round these parts.

Bet there are few Cooper’s fans that know the original pit is located not in Llano, but about 35 miles west in Mason, TX.  Yep. We discovered it quite by accident on a road trip to watch our youngest son play football in Abilene.

In Beeville, the most popular BBQ restaurant serves no pork or turkey. They do offer smoked ham, but only by special order.  I keep forgetting to order one.  #sadface

Whether you are a pork lovin’ Southerner, or a beef eatin’ Texan, I think everyone can agree: cobbler be it peach, blackberry, or apple always makes BBQ better!!

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.