July 4 Special: On a barbecue trail in America

Here are some top spots to treat yourself to some lip-smacking legendary American barbecue

Ask anyone in America on their favorite summer activity and chances are organizing an outdoor barbecue would top the list. With summer officially here in full force and the July 4 weekend almost upon us, most Americans must be getting ready to grease their barbecues and take out the meat.

But, if you do not have a plan to don the chef’s hat yourself, then we got for you something even more exciting. Make the full use of upcoming long summer weekends and get set on a barbecue trail across the country.

READ: 3 Easy-on-pocket secret Indian food spots in New York (May 18, 2023)

As it’s now the time to tickle your taste buds to some legendary American barbecue, here’s some top tips to treat yourself to some lip-smacking Barbecue. One of the most American things that locals as well as tourists try to indulge into is a well-done, pun intended — barbecue.

Interestingly, barbecue in the USA can be as diverse as its geography. From big earthy sandwiches made from rare steaks to juicy, sweet ribs to authentic slow cooked briskets that are famous across the globe; here is where you can get yourself a good yummy meat cooked to perfection across the country.

Texas
Barbecue is a way of life in Texas. After all, what else would you expect in a state where scenic ranchlands have formed a mainstay. Traditionally, Texas barbecue is high on beef —the spicy, smoky beef brisket is a long-standing barbecue tradition in the state. Foodies often like to explore Texas through a BBQ Trail.

Within an hour’s driveof Austin, you will find yourself in the towns of Taylor, Elgin, Luling and Lockhart, — the “Capital of Texas Barbecue.” The family-owned barbecue joints are a delight.

Kansas City, Missouri
Missouri is a barbecue mecca. The slow-smoked barbecue of Kansas City, is known for being very saucy and has a serious soft pot amongst meat lovers. Kansas City boasts hundreds of barbecue restaurants. Travelers can discover delicious barbecues across the state, from beef to chicken to even fish.

What gives Kansas City its distinctive touch is not a particular meat or cut, but the sauce. World famous Kansas City sauce gives its barbecue that meaty character. The sauce has a thick tomato and molasses base similar to the one originally from Memphis, Tennessee, but sweeter and darker.

While Kansas City, connoisseurs, aren’t as particular to a specific cut but the charred fatty edges of brisket that often get smoked a second time — originated here.

South Carolina
Hundreds of barbecue restaurants, dozens of professional pit masters and four distinct sauces, South Carolina is serious business for launching a barbecue-lover’s road trip.

The meat here is as famous as the sauces and depending on where you are within the state, sauces could be crafted with mustard, vinegar or tomatoes and prepared thick and sweet or light and vinegary.

Tennesse
Tennesseans are passionate about their BBQs. the smokehouses in and around Memphis serve up slow cooked ribs with meats succulent and juicy.

In Memphis, Tennessee, the meat is either prepared with a spicy dry rub or coated in a sweet sauce made from molasses, brown sugar, vinegar and a hint of heat from chilli powder. You’ll also find plenty of barbecue farther north in Nashville, with a plethora of Southern dishes like fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and buttery cornbread.