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The Influence Of Texas Barbecue Can Be Seen All Across The US

Daniel Vaughn, the barbecue editor at Texas Monthly, recently spent the better part of a year and a half visiting 37 states and almost 150 joints in search of the best BBQ.

He joined Standard to share what he learned about the influence of Texas BBQ on the rest of the country.

This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity:

Texas Standard: So what exactly were you looking for in this sweeping tour of barbecue across the U.S.?

Daniel Vaughn: Well, I was really looking for just how influential Texas barbecue had become across the country. You know, Texas barbecue is certainly beloved here in the state, but so many of the new barbecue joints out there opening up had brisket, sausage and really some of those Texas hallmarks on the menu.

So you kind of went out there with a presumption that Texas barbecue was something special and you were going to go look for it?

Well, what I wanted to see was just how special it was outside the state. You know, how well are these folks doing?

I think for good reasons, there's a lot of Texans who probably look a little skeptically on how good barbecue can be in Buffalo, New York, or in San Diego. So I wanted to go out there and see for myself. I mean, firsthand opinions are the only ones that really matter in my business. So that was the goal.

» WHERE THERE'S SMOKE: The latest on Texas barbecue from Daniel Vaughn

You write that what's been a front porch debate for many years appears, at least in your opinion, to have finally been settled: "Texas barbecue has become so influential, it is now the definitive barbecue style of America."

And I'm thinking there may be more than a few listeners who may think you have a bit of bias here being from Texas and all. Defend yourself, sir.

I certainly do have a bit of bias being in Texas here. But, you know, the thing is, we've all been seeing those brisket prices raised, and a big reason is because brisket is just so dang popular all over the country.

And there's only two briskets on every animal. So when you get thousands of barbecue joints opening up all over the country that all the customers are demanding brisket, right there is that Texas influence.

Those offset smokers that you see the brisket being cooked in, the butcher paper lined trays that it's served on, those big meaty spare ribs and the beef sausages – I mean, it's out there.

You know, you say Texas barbecue is the definitive barbecue. And yet, what about Georgia hot links or Carolina pork or Kansas City burnt ends or Memphis ribs?

Those are all out there. Those things are all still beloved, for sure. But I guess one of the most surprising things I found was just how great the Texas-style barbecue was in those places – in South Carolina, in North Carolina.

I mean, my trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, where I found Dampf Good BBQ in Cary, Lawrence Barbecue serving smoked brisket in Durham and headed out to Old Colony Smokehouse in Edenton North Carolina. I mean, these are like bastions of pork barbecue. But here you're finding some of the best brisket being served in the country.

You know, when places like Hometown Bar-B-Que opened in New York and Jack's BBQ in Seattle, those kind of made sense. Those are places that didn't have much of a barbecue culture to begin with, so adopting Texas barbecue made sense.

But seeing like Bain Barbecue opening up in Memphis, Tennessee; you've got Shotgun Willie's opening up in Nashville, Tennessee. I mean, these are places that barbecue is already well known for its individual style. And seeing Texas barbecue come in and make such a mark, I think, speaks volumes.

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I think a lot of us in Texas understand what true Texas barbecue means, and quite often that means brisket. But there are a lot of places that pose to be or just put "Texas barbecue" on the marquee in front. And I'm wondering, how do you know that this particular joint, if you happen to be a traveler, is real Texas barbecue? How do you define that?

Well, I don't know if real is such an important thing as good. I went to plenty of places with Texas in the name or on the sign, and they were pretty awful. But then you walk into a place in the middle of Orlando, Florida, Smokemade Meats + Eats, and they've got a big sign out front that says Central Texas-style barbecue. Well, you know, let's go find out.

So walking in there, I even started to see very specific signs of barbecue from Goldee's Barbecue, our No. 1 barbecue joint in the Texas Monthly list. They had similar barbecue sauce. They had the same white bread that they're baking in house, the same pork hash and rice on the menu and very similar sausages as well.

So, you know, sometimes the sign is sort of meaningless as far as the quality, but sometimes it's spot-on.

18 Cozy Fall Dinner Recipes For Two

You'll come back to these recipes all season long.

When the sun sets on summer, it's time to break out the warm and comforting meals of fall. As the leaves start to change, so will the ingredients in your kitchen. Think fresh fall squash, beans to make chili, and starches to throw into soups. While fall's heavier foods lend themselves to feeding a crowd, you can cook for far fewer people this season with the following selection of small-scale dishes. If you're having a quaint night in or just trying to use up leftover ingredients, these fall recipes for two are the perfect meal options.

Chicken Parmigiana

Happyschmoopies

You don't have to go to an Italian restaurant for a fancy dinner. This breaded Chicken Parmigiana is delicious served over your favorite pasta and with a side of greens. "After several Chicken Parm recipes THIS is THE ONE! I've finally found one that we all love! It's simple and it's darned good. I will definitely make this recipe again and again," says reviewer STARCHILD1166.

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One-Pot Sausage and Peppers Rice Cooker Meal

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

"The definition of a cozy, flavorful, hearty dump meal." —Nicole Hopper

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Chef John's Chicken and Mushrooms

Chef John

Five simple ingredients are all you need to make Chef John's Chicken and Mushrooms. This recipe incorporates the tasty flavors of butter, mushrooms, and chicken, and is ready in less than an hour for a quick weeknight dinner.

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Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Ground Turkey and Vegetables

Melisa

Spaghetti squash is a low-carb alternative to pasta, but it doesn't skimp on flavor. This roasted version is stuffed with ground turkey, asparagus, tomatoes, and onion. "This is definitely going to be a revolving favorite for my family! I didn't make any changes to the recipe except doubled the basil just because we love it so much and everyone loved it," says home cook Pharen.

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Sweet Potato Boats with Bacon, Apples, and Cheddar

"For these sweet potato boats with bacon, apples, and Cheddar, you'll partially bake sweet potatoes, scoop out the flesh, add some apple bits and seasonings, and spoon back into the skins. Melt some Cheddar cheese on top, and dig into a great side for some simple chops or baked chicken." —Brenda Venable

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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Matthew Humphries

This Southern-inspired recipe adds a little heat to a veggie-centric pasta dish. You can add or remove any of the vegetables, and if you like it extra spicy, you can add more Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper to your chicken. Try serving this pasta with cornbread.

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Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

DIZ♥

An easy Sloppy Joe recipe for a chilly fall evening when you want a quick dinner. This sweet meat is great served atop dinner rolls, rice, or baked potatoes. If you want a lighter version, try using ground turkey.

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Pizza Chicken

KJ

If you're looking for a new way to serve poultry, try these breaded chicken breasts topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni. You can also add any of your favorite pizza toppings — reviewers love to use mushrooms, red peppers, and onions.

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Tuna Panini Melt

bd.Weld

Try this twist on a classic tuna melt with American cheese, balsamic vinegar, and dill pickles on sourdough bread. This recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare and is great served with a fall salad.

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Stuffed Eggplant with Shrimp and Basil

jay

Eggplant is stuffed with a mixture of shrimp, basil, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese in this fantastic fall dish. You can add more veggies if you like, and reviewers suggest halving the amount of bread crumbs.

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Bulgogi Beef (Korean-Style Barbecue)

Photo by Chef John

Chef John's Korean-style barbecue is the perfect dish served over rice. You only have to marinate your meat for about one to two hours, but Chef John says you can leave it for up to 12 hours if you want. This recipe uses beef short tips, but reviewers have used flank steak and country-style ribs and have seen success.

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Stuffed Butternut Squash

Mackenzie Schieck

This simple vegan dish will be enjoyed by everyone — even meat lovers. Stuff your butternut squash with basmati rice, garbanzo beans, and vegetables to create a balanced meal. Reviewers say you can substitute brown rice and your preferred dairy milk alternative for the basmati rice and soy milk in this recipe.

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Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich

blablablinky21

Kick up the heat with this fun take on traditional grilled cheese, filled with cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, cheese, and crushed chips. Reviewers say this sandwich tastes just like a jalapeño popper. "OMG how much better could it get?!?!? I needed a quick dinner after work and threw these together in under 15 min. I served it with spicy tomato soup," says reviewer Jog Dish.

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Chicken Korma

Meredith Food Studios

Skip the takeout and try this Indian-inspired dish instead, serving it over rice with naan bread. "Outstanding! Reasonably quick and very tasty. My son walked into the kitchen and said 'What smells so good?'" says home cook Studboy.

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Spicy Garlic Udon Noodles

"These spicy garlic udon noodles are chewy and savory with a garlicky spicy sauce, and a winner for a quick weekday meal. If you want to jazz them up even more, serve topped with a fried egg or stir in some sautéed shrimp." —Pat Bernitt

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Chicken Taco Soup for Two

thedailygourmet

You can have this cozy chicken taco soup ready in just 15 minutes — and it can be ready even quicker if you use rotisserie chicken. Top it with tortilla chips, avocado, Oaxaca cheese, and sour cream for extra flavor. If you want a heartier meal, reviewers recommend adding beans.

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Individual Grilled Veggie Pizzas

Allrecipes Magazine

Put your fall veggies to good use with these individual pizzas topped with mushrooms, zucchini, butternut squash, broccoli, onion, pesto, and Gorgonzola cheese. You can make these pizzas in the oven, but this recipe is the perfect opportunity to use your outdoor grill before grilling season is over.

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Beef Miso Ramen

"This flavorful bowl of miso ramen is full of delicious flavors that will make your palate sing! If you've been dreaming of Japanese cuisine, this is the perfect meal for you. Add a hard-boiled egg, mushrooms, spicy chili oil, or toppings of your choice." —TheSaltyCooker

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Still Hungry?

Linda T

Read the original article on All Recipes.

Dinosaur BBQ's St. Louis Style Ribs

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John Stage, the founder and owner of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, has been satisfying Americans' insatiable appetite for slow cooked meat since 1983.

He honed his skills on the road, along with his two partners, using a makeshift bbq to cater to motorcycle shows, fairs, and festivals across the country.  Eventually settling in Syracuse, his hard earned recipes transformed into the menu for the original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. Over the last twenty plus years, he's built a small empire, which includes seven outposts.

We caught up with him in the recently opened Brooklyn location to find out his secret for fall off the bone St. Louis style ribs.  Stage says  it's all about the right balance of "smoke, spice, sauce and pure pork."

Produced by Alana Kakoyiannis and Justin Gmoser.

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