‘Great Barbecue?‘ Charlotte Residents Puzzled by Michelle O’s Praise
- Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:24pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Everyone likes praise. But when first lady Michelle Obama listed “great barbecue” as one of Charlotte, North Carolina’s virtues in hosting the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the city, even the state, was puzzled.
Barbecue? In Charlotte? Those are the questions many asked after Michelle sent out the announcement via e-mail. Almost everyone agrees: Charlotte isn’t the home of “great barbecue.”
“We have good barbecue in Charlotte, but there’s great barbecue [elsewhere] across the state,” Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx admitted to Politico. “I have had great barbecue in Charlotte that’s been brought in on a truck.”
One expert, John Shelton Reed, explained it in stark terms. He is a retired University of North Carolina professor and the co-author of “Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue.”
“Complete the sentence: As a barbecue town, Charlotte is one, not what it used to be; two, like Minneapolis for gumbo; three, good enough for Yankees; four, not far from Shelby,” he said, referring to a barbecue center about an hour west of Charlotte.
Ouch. In North Carolina, this is serious stuff.
The state’s great barbecue divide runs roughly through Raleigh, the state’s capital. Eastward to the coast, it’s all Eastern-style: Whole hogs are cooked and served with a vinegar-based sauce and white, mayonnaise-based cole slaw. West of Raleigh, it’s pork shoulders, with tomatoes added into the sauce or “dip,” and vinegary red slaw.
The rivalry is polite, at least in mixed company.
“It‘s all about what you grew up with and what you’re accustomed to,” said Nathan Monk, manager of Lexington Barbecue and grandson of revered founder Wayne Monk. “There’s good barbecue everywhere, as long as it’s cooked the right way.”
The town of Lexington, about 60 miles north of Charlotte, is to Western-style North Carolina barbecue as Rome is to Catholicism: more than a dozen barbecue joints make this a destination for ‘cue lovers from Raleigh, Charlotte and everywhere in between.
Even the editorial board staff of The Charlotte Observer acknowledged Lexington’s primacy, in a blog response to Michelle Obama’s letter to supporters praising the local barbecue: “We appreciate the compliments, and they’re all spot-on until that last one. … Everybody knows to get the best stuff, you gotta drive north to Lexington.” The post, however, is hard to find on the paper’s website, and may have been scrubbed.
The mistake led Politico to question Michelle’s writers: “The gaffe was enough to make you wonder whether the White House had simply cut and pasted Southern clichés to create the first lady’s announcement.” The site also referenced a Fox Nation blog post that points out the obvious:
“Studies show a barbecue meal weighs in at around 2,500 calories.”
Oh, the humanity.

























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Comments (156)
sarahchar09
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:54pmHey. you can go anywhere in north carolina and find some good bar-b-que! But the very best is in Gastonia, NC R.O’s bar-b-que! Also you not going to find good food in the city, its all in the small country towns..
Report Post »SurveyGold
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:16amThe BBQ Song – a review of BBQ in the southern USA as performed by NC’s own Rhett & Link
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ubTQfr_tyY
millefiore
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:46pmCharlotte-no way-Wilber Shirley’s Bar-B-Cue 50 miles east of Raleigh…
Report Post »Heavy Demo supporter-will not hold it against him because the Bar-B-Cue is sooooooooo good.
DAV 50
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 6:06pmI agree Wilbers is the best down east pig pickin there is!!
Former Goldsboro resident!
Report Post »CyberPro
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 8:00pmI have had Wilbur’s, Kings, B’s in Greenville (Which I am REALLY suprised has not been mentioned yet.) BBQ Lodge in Raleigh, pretty much all of them, plus a lot of them in Lexington, and WHISPERING PINES in my home town. They are all good, and all different. You don’t have to go more than about 50 miles to get a different flavor.
Report Post »KL
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:45pmIF you want good Mexican food, go to East Charlotte. Tons of Mexican restaurants and stores that have opened up in the area. Ten years ago, it was a completely different landscape. BBQ? I have no knowledge of really good BBQ in Charlotte.
Report Post »HELOVESUS
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:37pmI thought Muslims didn`t eat swine?????
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 7:41pmCould that be why she didn‘t know that BBQ is sacred and a serious feud could start just because she doesn’t know when to keep her flapping gums closed? Just asking….
Report Post »Paul G
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:36pmYa know, I got up this morning and said to myself “Boy, I don’t know anything about NC barbeque…..I wonder if THEBLAZE……………” and SHAZAM!
Report Post »simple thought
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:16pma bitch is a female dog blaze, ain’t ya got a sense of humor…
Report Post »why do you not post my remarks most of the time,
you scrub me constantly and i do not, do not ever cross the line of respect.
i use humor in it’s purest form…..
grow a set and look in the dictionary.
PIL
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:10pmI guess she’s losing her war against obesity. LOL
Report Post »http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/
CITIZENCHET
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:08pmInsult the rebels before the DNC more tea party support is what we need. Keep talking.
Report Post »Tyson
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:07pmDidn’t think Muslims were allowed to eat pork?!?
BTW, Eastern is better. Crazy western north carolinians adding tomatoes to their sause is a sin! Off with their heads! Allah Akbar!
Report Post »Cape_Lookout_RW_Extremist
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 2:46pmYou are so right Tyson! Parkers on US 301, Bills, Cherrys, Wilburs, all east of Raleigh and fantastic BarBQ. You heard about the thief that broke into Goldsboro BarBQ and hid from the police in a vat of that sauce? It took the skin off and the judge ruled he had suffered enough…true story.
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 5:30pmDefinitely make mine eastern! Thumbs up for Parkers and Wilbers.
Michelle sounds like she is stereotyping us down here. She must have watched that Zaxby’s commercial where the southern dude is wearing a cowboy hat!
Report Post »NC1
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 5:36pmNonsense, Lexington is better!! Either way it keeps the muslims out.
Report Post »Bogdan
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:04pmYou are all cracking me up. this is so funny, Please someone ask me if I care. NO
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:59pmI thought Madam No-Pie had banned the consumption of high fat, high calorie foods – must be that low-cal Charlotte tofu-barbeque we’ve heard so much about. Food, food, food – is that all obama’s woman ever thinks about?
Report Post »Whittymom
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:23pmAs long as the food doesn’t come with a toy she ok with it… ;)
Report Post »Fantastic Four
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 3:44pmThe QUEEN is only tasting the food to make sure if it’s food for ROYALTY or for peasants. Only the best scientific studies for the people of HER country. You should all be proud she watches us so closely with such great motherly love (her children exclueded)
Report Post »retriever
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:55pmDon‘t forget that a cafeteria in California felt it necessary to issue an apology for serving CHICKEN on MLK’S birthday. Also, what about the calories in BBQ, but what should she care? She‘s America’s Queen.
Report Post »Nigel2
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:55pmProtocol is not one of this whitehouses strong points. But barbecue is not one of the more serious issues facing us.
Report Post »Talastan
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:54pmSorry FLOTUS is wrong!! KCMO is the place for BBQ. I will be respectful though and say that Carolina style is also good. But that KC sauce can’t be topped in my opinion.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:51pmNorth Carolina is fly over country to the Obamas. Michelle is just trying to be nice to “the little people”. “Say something about BBQ Chellie, all those crackers love BBQ!”
Report Post »teachermitch32
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:50pmThat BBQ is definitely NOT growing in the WH garden. Now if she would just call for all public school provided lunches to be like this BBQ I might just go back to the third grade and finish. Just kidding…but really, this would be healthier than some of the stuff they serve now…or maybe what she and the WH are calling for in our schools. Good, wholesome, real food.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:48pmIt‘s not bad but if you’re every in Williamsburg Va. swing by Pierce‘s Pit as a trucker I’ve had BBQ from Jacksonville to Alantic City and Pierce’s is got to be one of the best ever.
Report Post »fatsomann
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:46pmSomeone on her staff should inform her about North Carolina before making general statements.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:06pmAll 26 assistants were busy buying snacks for Mo and the girls
Report Post »SHHHH don’t tell Mr Slurpeee
missionarydad
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:43pmThis first lady is downright pathetic, she is also quite the hypocrite as barbecue is not something one who has declared war on obesity would be promoting. The barbecue dinners I eat down here in Fl. are easily 3000 calories and that doesn’t include desert. Is she really this stupid?
Report Post »missionarydad
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:02pmWith the likes of her, Harry Reid, Biden and don’t forget the Rep from Georgia Hank Johnson who said he feared moving 8000 marines to Guam would cause it to tip over and capsize, I do not think anyone on the left has any right at all to criticize Sarah Palin for her so called lack of intelligence. They pretty much have the monopoly on stupid.
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:45pmMmmm 3000 calorie BBQ, I’m coming to visit. Can I stay at your house?
Report Post »CyberPro
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 7:54pmBTW, Anybody knows that God does not count the calorie intake consumed in Bar-B-Que towards your daily intake allotment.
Memphis ain’t too shabby when in comes to Bar-B-Que either, but the kind they make is pork with a dry rub of spices on it. Corky’s and the Rendevous come to mind in Memphos, although I am sure Interstate BBQ has fans too.
KC and Texas, I have had some, it is OK, but it is very much bush league compared to NC and Memphis.
Report Post »missionarydad
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 9:38pmYeah sure UntamableKate, you seem to be one of the Blazers that really gets whats going on, it would be my pleasure. You know I really do wish this administration well there is so much that they could do for this country for the good, but it seems like the presidency is more like a big party and vacation to them. Our society has become very unhealthy when it comes to how we eat, but I just don’t think it is the role of the Government to intervene in this matter. The main role the first lady really could do good would be just educating people about healthy eating and maybe some public service organizing within the private sector. I do not like the idea of a forced change and what really gets me is to then see her family go out and have cheeseburgers it kind of really destroys the credibility it takes to be an effective advocate.
Report Post »Carolina Patriot
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 10:45pmTo Missionary Dad,
My Carolina colleagues may hate me for this, but my favorite Bar-B-Que is found at a small operation on US 1 south of St. Augustine, FL It’s a red brick building with a huge smoking space, a commodious kitchen, a take out counter, and two tables. They make their own sauces, and the meat is oak smoked. I’ve never had any better ribs.
I can never remember which exit it is off lf I-95, so I always make my return trips up A1A to the first bridge across the ICW north of Marine Land. It’s about a hundred yards before you get to US 1. I am already looking forward my next trip to Bithlo so I can pick up 15 or 20 pounds of the stuff on the way back to “Circle City,” NC.. I’m almost drooling thinking of it. And yes, it has a right fair amount of calories, but that is what BBQ should have.
I reckon that since I was born and raised in Florida, I should call myself “******* Patriot,” but I’ve lived in North Carolina so long, I’m kinda partial to it, even though the state income tax rate is pretty much 10-percent, and, while the BBQ is OK, I was raised on Florida BBQ. When I was a kid, a BBQ sandwich was a half dozen ribs and two slices of bread (for a quarter). Oh, for the good old days!
Report Post »rdk
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:41pmSo maybe she was making an attempt at the truth for once. Barbecue is good and there is more than one way to cook it and it still is good. Healthy? Probably not but sometimes good counts. If Michelle keeps gaining weight, she will be a good spokesperson for barbecue.
Report Post »Untameable-kate
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:04pmMaybe she wants to land a Jenny Craig comercial.
Report Post »Paul -Indiana
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 2:41pm‘Before’ , not ‘After’
Report Post »solaveritas
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:40pmMany people’s barbecue favorite is “baby back ribs”. And Michelle is no exception.
North Carolina should name a special barbecue dinner after her.
They could call the large portioned gluttonous feast “baby-got-back ribs”!!
Report Post »solaveritas
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:36pmWith the Obamas its all about PERCEPTION. There is little real substance or genuine attitude to what they say.
Michelle (or her staff) knows there is great barbecue in North Carolina and just assumed “they were all the same”.
Report Post »CyberPro
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 7:50pmI was born and raised in North Carolina, not too far from Charlotte, and to say all the Bar-B-Que is the same in NC is fightin’ words!
The article has the dividing line largely correct, and it is very correct that Lexington is not too far north of Charlotte, but far enough not to be confused with Charlotte. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is terrible and 10 is heavenly, Charlotte might with up with a 3 on the scale, and Lexington would be an 11, ok, maybe a 12. I live in Eastern NC now, and the Bar-B-Que is different than what I grew up with, and there are a few more variations than the article would indicate, especially in the types of SLAW, which is a MUST with fish OR Bar-B-Que…. in fact I made some of each last weekend. My favorite slaw is the red kind, but with tomatoes, not ketchup as the Lexington slaw uses. I don’t throw rocks at the Lexington slaw, I just like the tomatoes a bit better.
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:36pmDamn that looks good.. the barbecue.. see you folks later. It’s lunch time. Peace!
Report Post »-Line
GeauxAlready
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:29pm.
Report Post »Seen the size of that trunk? Shes been eating BBQ somewhere……………….
Untameable-kate
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:35pmYou read my mind. All you have to do is go round and check out the FLOTUSs’ backside to know she has been out of the garden.
Report Post »Buck Bagaw
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 3:40pmGives new meaning to “Pork Butt”.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 7:06pmBUCK BAGAW, now that was funny!
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 7:44pmBetcha there’s some nice smells rolling out of that!
Report Post »AmericanThunder
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 9:49pmEvery one knows them black girls are blessed with mighty fine bubble butts….LOL Ever see them shake them back sides? Whooo Eeee
Report Post »AmericanThunder
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 9:56pmBest BBQ is Buckeye BBQ
NUFF SEDD
Report Post »EP46
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 4:38amI think she got North & South Carolina mixed up. She probably meant Maurice’s Barbeque in South Carolina that still flies the Confederate Flag over 2 of their 9 stores. Maurice raised the Stars & Bars years ago when the NAACP made the SC State House remove the flag. Come on Meecheel, you meant Maurice‘s didn’t you. Best ‘eatin’ ever.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:26pmDo as I SAY not as i DO.
Let them eat cake!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:36pmDo not worry, she eats all the cake and fattening foods she can get her hands on while decrying the great evils of modern parents among the peasantry – oh, she meant, ‘citizens’ who need the watchfull hands and eyes of big sister to keep them safe from harm and from thinking too much that it hurts our wee little brains so much…
Report Post »Highland
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:37pmWhy would she even care about barbecue? It’s fattening, you silly cow. Oh my gosh, they serve bread with it! And coleslaw! And baked beans! Moochelle is trying to kill us.
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:45pmSlow news day, Blaze?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 12:51pmPork or beef? Just asking…….
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:10pm@MiddleClassProphet –
Not a slow news day about barbecue when you’re from North Carolina! Flicker brain, when people write BOOKS about North Carolina’s barbecue, NC barbecue is serious stuff!
There used to be a hole in the wall place in Raleigh with a reputation for its barbecue. Saul’s Bar-B-Cue was the greatest! We don’t put that red sauce on it. That just ruins it. We use the white (vinegar) sauce, and we put SLAW on the sandwich. MMMMMmmmmmmmmmm! Georgia uses red sauce. (Pyuk!)
Smithfield is known for its great barbecue, too. But Charlotte? Have to think twice there. The best thing out of Charlotte? I-85!
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:14pmThis is making me hungry!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:17pm@MiddleClassProphet –
What’s the matter? They carried a story about Michelle instead of Rush, Beck, Bachmann, or Palin!
The Obamas are so out of touch with American citizens. IF they even eat barbecue, it will not be porkl!!! You can bet your rosterium on that!
Report Post »oldoldtimer
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:17pmTo Middleclass. Not really. Just show what we are stuck with in the white house(no caps on purpose). If not Blaze then no one. How else can be be told the truth about the interlopers that would be king and queen. Guess you did not see yet another halo picture of Obama from Reuters. Subliminals to brainwash.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:22pmhow cruel, Blaze, to list this one at lunchtime.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:37pm“is quickly becoming a 3rd world garbage can!”
@KICKILLEGALSOUT
The Dems then should fit right in .. no wonder they chose it .. but let‘s tell the truth it wasn’t for the barbecue.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:52pmSHOWTIME, nothing better than shredded pork covered with slaw and doused in Carolina bar-b-que sauce with some pickled artichoke roots on the side. Now that‘s eat’n! Oh, and beans, and bread to sop up what’s left. Yummy!
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 3:14pmKC & Texas BBQ are the best. That Carolina vinegar based stuff aint BBQ! Michelle is fraud she wouldn’t know good BBQ if she tasted it. Just another example of the Soetoro’s looking like idiots. ;-)
Report Post »Killa From Wasilla
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 3:25pmI‘ve had the BBQ in North Carolina and South Carolina and it’s okay, nothing to brag about.
Texas has the best BBQ in the country. Central Texas to be exact. There is an area called the BBQ trail just outside of Austin. Simply the best.
mizflame98
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 3:31pmProgressives know nothing about the south except their beliefs that it’s full of racist rednecks. Southerners know if your‘e faking it and she’s been thoroughly busted out.
Report Post »TheLascone
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 3:31pmMaybe she made a mistake Dustyluv … NOT !!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23630227@N06/4120347264/in/photostream/
Report Post »Robert W
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 3:45pmIm not puzzled. The Obummer’s are liars…shocking I know.
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 3:49pmMichelle should be excused for her outlandish comments since she is suffering from a rare disease usually found in farm animals, “ Hoof and Mouth Disease ”. Hamburgers and french fries are on Michelles no eat list, but pork barbecue is on her menu. That’s funny ! If the average American had Michelle’s cooking staff we could all eat better and healthier, for free, since the we taxpayers pick up the tab.
Report Post »NC1
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 5:35pm@CATB it’s good ol pork bar-b-que so I guess her husband won’t be eating any. Love me some Lexington BBQ!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 7:16pm@NC1
;- ) …. kind of my point … I like pork bbq …. we should have one on every corner! Since MO has endorsed it .. I think every school cafeteria also! Bacon on our salads! BLT’s …. dogs allowed EVERYWHERE!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 7:35pmJust like Chicago is known for their Great Lake Sushi.
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 7:55pmLexington BBQ is some of the best in the world but I prefer the East coast vinegar based myself. Yes indeed, it is mighty fine, yummmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Report Post »jbl8199
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 9:15pmThat’s my kind of food. The greasier the better. More butter please!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »ltb
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 10:42pmShowtime
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 1:17pm
The Obamas are so out of touch with American citizens. IF they even eat barbecue, it will not be porkl!!! You can bet your rosterium on that!
—–
That is funny:)
Report Post »Tim
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 11:48pmfirst she ruins sesame street and now this?…. great….
Report Post »TruthLover
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:11amBest thing out of Charlotte was Michael Jordan.
Report Post »CrankyInCranberry
Posted on February 5, 2011 at 6:53amThe kinder, gentler Death Panel says, “Go ahead, eat barbecue!”
Report Post »dawg of gawd
Posted on February 6, 2011 at 2:35pmHmm. Barbecue. Hmm. Well, I’ll have to think awhile on where I stand politically on barbecue. Is Ms. Obama’s mention of southern barbecue an affront to our nation, a threat to our American way of life, or just a casual mention of the tasty joy to be found in a pulled pork sandwich? I’ll meditate on the implications and hopefully come to an inspired and reasonable conclusion.
Life is short, isn’t it?
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