Solomon J Parker: Barbecue and Me

I <3 BAR-B-Q. There is nothing like the smell of good BBQ filling the sky, especially during a family picnic on Memorial Day Weekend or even on a Sunday afternoon as you ready yourself for catching the 4:15PM football ballgame between the Dolphins vs. Jets. For me, BBQ is more than just food. Oh no...it is deeper than that. BBQ is a part of my roots. BBQ is a part of my culture. BBQ is love. BBQ is what can bring the entire family and community together despite differences. BBQ, when cooked just right, could bring about World Peace!!!

I trace my love for BBQ back to the days of growing up around Aunt Bell, Uncle Rennie, and well...I guess anyone in my family. I remember being younger and watching my Uncle Rennie barbecue an entire hog and have a picnic for the entire Franklin-Portland areas in the small town of Mitchellsville, TN. The town with a population of 200 had almost double the folks the day that he cooked out at the community park. I remember everyone and their mama was there to get some good free barbecue. I remember watching Aunt Bell making some baked beans on the grill and cooking out the entire night. For some reason a good BBQ served as a smoke signal and everyone around was ready to taste some of that good BBQ. Although I never learned their trades or secrets when it comes to BBQ, I still feel connected to my family each time that I fire up a grill. I don't want to let them down with a BBQ that misses the point.
When it comes to barbecue, people have many preferences albeit vinegar vs. tomato, gas vs. charcoal vs. wood, and sauce vs. dry rub. For me, one of the more fascinating debates is that of best place/location for barbecue style: North Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City, ore Texas. I am told that each of these places has its own unique style. Now, I know that BBQ is not relegated to only these four, but these are the top four that people consider to be the Mecca of BBQ. Anyways, I hope that one day that I can settle the debate, at least for me, to which one has the better BBQ. Up until this point, I have had Memphis BBQ. While in college, we would have BBQ from Rendevouz (I believe) when we would visit Memphis when playing against Rhodes College (compliments of the Brooks family). From memory, I absolutely loved it. I heard a teammate once say in referencing BBQ in Memphis, "that you go to Memphis when the weather is warm and BBQ is ripe in the air."

I have been to Owensboro (not listed above) to Moonlight BBQ, regarded as the best BBQ restaurants by many in Kentucky. They are known for their mutton and burgoo. This past weekend, my girlfriend and I had the opportunity to venture to the International BBQ Festival in Owensboro. It was truly a treat as BBQ filled the air. I am hoping to go on a trip to North Carolina very soon and will try to report back on my experience of the mainly vinegar based BBQ. Some of the other memorable places for BBQ that I have been (just to name a few) was Ribfest in Huntington, WV (mid August), Kentucky State Barbecue Festival in Danville, KY, Bootleg BBQ in Louisville (voted #2 BBQ Restaurant by Kentucky Living Magazine), Starnes BBQ in Paducah, KY, Dunn's BBQ in Franklin, R & S BBQ in Tompkinsville, and Roy's BBQ in Russellville, KY.

Regardless of preference and style, I still strongly adhere to the notion that Good BBQ is Good BBQ. Great BBQ? Well...that leaves you with memories and the desire to want to have it again. You know it is good from the smell, the presentation, and last not but not least, when the savory goodness of the BBQ hits the tip of your taste bud and provides you with the utmost satisfaction. So tonight, I am going to share with you some of the pictures that I have taken involving BBQ. I am very much open to trying out places for some good BBQ, but do know that if you going to suggest a place....you better step correct because "Good Barbecue is hard to find." If you suggest a place to have "Great BBQ", you may either have a new best friend or a new worst enemy (at least for the few days after the meal).