Thursday, May 20, 2010
Battle BBQ: Texas v. Mississippi
After seeing so many Mississippi teams at this past weekend's Memphis in May BBQ competition, I decided that it's time for another round of Battle BBQ. Like other Southeastern states, Misssissippi has a rich BBQ tradition, with proud pork purveyors from just South of Memphis to the Delta to the Gulf Coast. But how does Mississippi's brand of BBQ stack up against the best from the Lone Star State? Let us hear your thoughts.
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5 comments:
I grew up in Mississippi and have lived in Austin for the past 10 years. Mississippi has no real barbecue tradition. The only 'cue I've had there of note is Leatha's now in Hattisburg. There are certainly barbecue places but it is not something talk or obsess about. I'm guessing there is a 'cue tradition in the suburbs that spill from Memphis but that doesn't count. The food Mississippians debate is fried catfish.
Fried catfish at Old Taylor is hard to beat.
Speaking of BBQ & fried catfish:
http://manuptexasbbq.blogspot.com/2010/04/friday-evening-well-spent-bbq-and-fried.html
http://manuptexasbbq.blogspot.com/2010/04/more-fish-fryin-at-mills.html
I have lived in both states and can say without a doubt that Texas is a hands down winner of that contest. Thats not to say that you don't eat good in Mississippi...catfish, collard greens, smothered pork chops...just not BBQ!
Chris here....
I am biased having lived most of my life in Texas. The best of Texas is really hard to beat. These contests out of state are all fine and good but the best in Texas don't bother competing and they let the food do the talkin'. Here is the scoop. For beef, Texas wins hands down. For pork ribs, I still think Texas does but the sauces in Mississippi really match up better with pork ribs. So... without sauce, Texas, with sauce, I have to say Mississippi (if you get the best from the state; which would mean not over an open flame) Now Memphis dry ribs are really in a category by themselves. It is a taste preference thing. But they are good! ;-) Pulled pork is hands down better in the Memphis area over Texas. It is a combination of technique and the sauces. But hey, they raise more pigs in the SE and they better get this right!
So, if you are a purist, plain BBQ without sauce is better in Texas. If you are like me and say it is about the combination of sauce and BBQ. Then the vote splits with Beef ruling in Texas and Pork ruling in Memphis. But I will say this, if you take all meats and cuts of meat into consideration, Texas wins hands down. Most places in the SE can't cook brisket properly to save their lives. And the best of Texas handles beef, chicken, pork loin, sausage, wild game better than the SE. Since you can get good pulled pork and great pork ribs in Texas as well, then I am leaning to the Lone Star State as the best. But I have to admit, with sauce, the best pulled pork and the best pork ribs come from Texas. But you can't win on just two categories now can you?!
Chris edit...
Well, meant to say with sauce Memphis pulled pork and ribs are best. Sorry!
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