Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
I have been attacked on my McRib post. And let me say, of all the ways and on all the issues on which I have been attacked on the internet (I know whereof I speak), this cuts the deepest. For it is alleged that I don't know barbecue!
Oh, the pain, as a Korean, to be accused of ignorance of barbecue. Basically half of the Korean menu is barbecue. I am afraid that I consider all American forms of barbecue to be inferior to Korean, where you have a mini-barbecue pit built into the table where you can cook raw, marinated meats of almost any kind to your heart's content. There are wonderful Korean buffet barbecues in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C., where, for about $20, you can eat as much barbecue as you can cook.
But if we must talk about American barbecue (which comes in a close second) I have eaten much of what the nation has to offer. I've had barbecue in its many claimed homes: St. Louis, Atlanta, Dallas, Charleston, Memphis, Raleigh-Durham, Little Rock, Nashville, Charlottesville, and Tallahassee among them. When I speak at law schools in the South, I always ask that students be allowed to take me to the best -- not the most expensive, but the best -- barbecue joint. I have had all the rubs, styles of cooking, pork or beef, etc.
For those of us on the road, outside the South, however, the best we can do is the McRib, no? Where can one stop on the interstates in the west and get great barbecue? Isn't it safer to stop at McDonald's and get a McRib than try an unreliable local joint (outside the South)?
So I put it to the Ricochet members -- if you have one last meal, and it is to be barbecue, where would it be? I prefer pork ribs with a spicy, messy sauce served on a piece of white bread and a paper plate, accompanied by baked beans, collard greens, and corn.
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Comments:
May '10
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
John -- Is there a good Korean Barbeque restaurant that you can recommend in the Bay Area?
Jul '10
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
My backyard.
Apr '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
Kansas City is home to world class BBQ: Fiorella's Jack Stack, Gates, Oklahoma Joe's, & L.C.'s, just to name four great ones here in a town known for its BBQ & jazz. Sounds like you need to come a bit farther west than STL.
Sep '12
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
Love Korean barbecue, and am thrilled to see the options increasing here in Los Angeles. The Korean tacos from Kogi Truck are astoundingly good.
The McRib is a culinary abomination, a slurried and pressed meat-like substance drenched in sauce.
As abominations go...the McRib is irresistible.
Jan '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
Just a few hours ago, I had some excellent BBQ ribs and brisket at the Salt Lick just outside of Austin TX. Good as it was, it wasn't quite the same as the place two hours out of Austin -- no idea which direction -- that my friends took me out to last year where the place had two open fires and the attitude that accepting paper money was overly accomodating to out-of-towners.All that said, mustard-based Carolina BBQ is also fantastic. I just love BBQ.
Aug '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
Fresh Air in Jackson, GA. Doesn't help you if you're looking for places that aren't in the South, but it's pretty much the best stew, slaw, pork, and sauce ever, complete with white bread and plastic tableware. Heaven served on a paper plate; I think it may be time for a pilgrimage. www.freshairbarbecue.com.
Apr '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
These two are tied:
Arlington, TX: http://www.davidsbarbecue.com/contact.html
St. Louis, MO: http://pappyssmokehouse.com/
But I think I'd prefer Korean BBQ for my last meal.
Jul '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
I dated a Korean who introduced me to such fare, home cooked. Alas I was young and moved along. Oakland, Carolina, KC, Texas all come to mind but whatever you can get to. My wife is a vegetarian and cooks that way mostly. But I cheat on her, oh do I cheat. Q's in Carson city is heaven baby.
Jul '10
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
State Line BBQ on the El Paso, TX/New Mexico border. Accompanied by a tall Guinness.
Oct '10
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
There is a place in Portland, Oregon called Cannons. A small, very old fashioned family enterprise and the best in town. A bucket of rib tips and fresh baked cornbread with sides of choice will satisfy any needs.
The menu includes brisket, beef or pork ribs, dead bird and all.
Do miss the place.
May '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
John:
B side BBQ in Oakland : http://www.yelp.com.au/biz/b-side-bbq-oakland - great for ribs
Smoke in Berkeley - best pulled pork sandwich.
If you want company, let me know and I would be happy to have lunch with you.
Jul '10
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
The abiding rule of good Southern pork is that the more rundown the place looks, the better the BBQ is going to be.
Sep '12
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
State Line in El Paso. Hands down best I've ever had. Salt Like a close second.
May '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
Trace:
I found that the grocery store Koreana Plaza at 25th and Telegraph in Oakland has seasoned bar-b-que meats that you can cook at home. They also have a great selection of bon chons as well.
You can try Bowl'd on Solano Ave in Albany. The food is a little westernized (not too salty or too much garlic) but is very tasty.
Also, there are a about 5 Korean restaurants in the Temescal section of Oakland (45th - 51st and Telegraph). I have eaten at most of them and have enjoyed then.
Jul '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
I went to a soul food/BBQ place in Lafayette La hungover like a dog. A woman with a gluteus as wide as the Missisippi handed me a bucket and said,"Hey big boy, what can momma get for you?". Oh Lord I want that bucket right now. Right now!
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
On I-20, at Tyler, TX (between Shreveport and Dallas), there is a place called the Texas Smokehouse, I believe. It has 18-wheeler parking, which is my first requirement. You go through the line, tell the gentlemen which meat you prefer (chicken, beef, pork), and they will lob off a slice and chop it to your specifications and add whatever sort of BBQ sauce you prefer. Then, have a seat under an animal's head mounted on the wall and dig in. (Also comes with your chose of slaw, potato salad, beans, etc., world without end, A-men.)
By the way, I spent a year at Kunsan AB, and taught English to local students during my off duty hours. They took me to several interesting restaurants, but my favorites were the one with the barbecue grill built into the table. I believe they called the food something that sounded like "bulgogi."
May '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
John:
The Pig and Pit in Valdosta Ga.
Sep '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
Eastern NC bbq is my favorite-- pulled pork with a vinegar-based sauce, eaten with cole slaw, and mountain dew or SWEET tea-- heaven! When I go visit my daughter in Richmond, I try to remember to bring a stash for her. B's BBQ is best, in Greenville NC, but most Parker's are great, though even better, any church BBQ where they rented a big cooker msde from an old oil drum, and they cook a whole or half hog for 12 hours... (whew, just thinking about it) Anyway, eastern NC, vinegar-based is good.
Apr '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
I love the Salt lick, both the original in Driftwood, TX and the new location in Round Rock; however, my personal favorite is Cooper's BBQ in Llano, TX. I have heard that Lockhart is a destination for TX BBQ but I have never been there personally.
Apr '11
Re: Defending the McRib, or, Where's the Best BBQ?
Marinated? Why not dip it in a fondue pot as well, since you're apparently still living in the 60's.
Dry rub...