Culture is going to hell in a hand basket!
Dang! A Q fight on a Friday morning?
Sorry, but I have lived in Georgia and sampled some of the Q from establishments all over that fine state. While Georgia is indeed a wonderful place and I loved my time there, putting their Q ahead of my beloved home state of NC is just wrong.
As a devoted carnivore, I freely admit to having never sampled Q from the fine state of Texas, where beef is the meat of choice. I have heard it is some mighty fine bovine and I have no doubt the good folks in Texas have mastered the fine art of cooking Q as it should be cooked. However, just like with Georgia, I have a hard time believing that, top to bottom, east to west, you will fine a better state for Q than NC.
With that said, there are some BAD Q joints here. Just like there are everywhere. Plus, there are 3 distinct methods for serving Q in this state, all of which have devoted and passionate followers.
I think the preference for Q breaks down to “where you come from”. No doubt that some of us appreciate regional delicacies outside our norm and would put some foods that were perfected in parts of the country over the home grown varieties. For instance, NO ONE makes bagels like they do in NY. Sourdough bread? As much as I loathe San Fransissico, they know how to make it. I have never had salmon anywhere that was as good as I did in Oregon. But with Q, because there are so many who cook it in their area and so many who have fine tuned their methods, I really do think it has more to do with where you come from.
But that is just my opinion. I Do stand by my assertion that NC has the best Q of anywhere in the country, though.
Georgia #1? Damn right that's heresy, but at least NC is rightfully ranked above those uppity upstarts in Texas.
I can't believe SC is even in the top 10. Mustard based 'cue is swill.
After looking at the pics in this thread, I am glad I made myself wait until I was done eating lunch! Whoa.