The best BBQ I have ever ever had.

[noshenanigans]

I'm from North Carolina, so I take this kind of thing seriously. Of course, a few years ago I moved to Los Angeles and then last year I married a guy from there so I thought my Southern Days were over. (OT!) But Tuesday I packed up my half of our apartment into my little Altima and left him and Hollywood. I am zooming home to be with my family and get my life back together.(/OT) To do this, I pretty much have to travel the complete stretch of I-40.

I got through Memphis today, a city that I love. My mother was way into Elvis so we used to make pilgrimages to Graceland, and as I got older I was able to enjoy and appreciate Beale St. Today on my way through I tried a place I'd never been to before called the Bar-B-Q Shop. I had heard it's where "the locals" go. It was unbelievably good. Seriously. I spent years in Los Angeles trying to find good ribs, and the places I found were okay, but tasting the real thing again is a good reminder.

Just a tip, for any of you heading that way. Now, I guess I'll sit in my hotel room wherever it is in Tennessee I am and just be glad I'm going to be home tomorrow.

[DrDan]

1. well - the regional differences in BBQ are dramatic

I love KC's BBQ - particularly Bryants and Gates

[noshenanigans]

2. very true

even in NC there's a big difference between the eastern and western parts of the state (Almost as big a fight as UNC v. Duke? Maybe.)

That's what was so hard about Los Angeles.. there were "Tyler Texas" BBQ places, and a few "KC Style" I think, but there were a lot of just "ribs" places. It's not like I believe people have to pick a team or anything, but.. well, actually, maybe that's what I'm saying. They need to pick a team.

[Bennyboy]

3. Good luck getting a decent taco there however!

CA doesn't have very good Q except for SF. There are quite a few good ones there. All texas or Memphis transplants...

[RushIsRot]

4. I have a friend who swears by Corky's in Memphis. I think that

they're a bit pretentious myself. I mean, being seated in a barbecue joint is just plain silly.

The very best barbecue I ever ate was in Texas when I was in college in the 60s. I returned to that college town 20 years later and my favorite place was gone. DRAT! There was nothing left that had any character. Just some generic barbecue that tasted like a thousand others I had eaten.

[wildhorses]

5. the shack in alabama....best bbq ever.

it is on a back road that is off another back road that is down another back road...stuff melts in your mouth:9