Traveling from Charlottesville to Atlanta, we managed to find ourselves on I-85 Business, not the best route, but at least heading in the right direction. In Lexington, NC, we passed right beside Lexington Barbeque. We didn’t have time to stop, but I have enjoyed many platters of chopped Lexington BBQ in my time. Lexington is Hallowed Ground for those who love barbeque as God Intended – North Carolina style.
However, there are two schools of thought on Carolina BBQ Sauces. There is the Eastern, NC vinegar-based sauce and the Lexington or western NC sauce. Both are damned good.
The Eastern NC sauce is thinner, made mostly of cider vinegar seasoned with black pepper, red pepper flakes and brown sugar. The Lexington style is a little thicker and includes a bit of catsup and a squirt or two of hot pepper sauce, plus vinegar and black pepper.
Both styles are made from pork shoulders, though a few BBQ joints make whole-hog barbeque and that’s really, really good.
Virginians really don’t know how to eat good BBQ. They will eat a sweet thick sauce that overpowers the pork, but I guess it’s what you get used to.
If I had to choose, I’d take the Eastern NC barbeque if I ordered a barbeque platter, but I’d go with Lexington BBQ for a sandwich – it holds together a little better.
Damn. I can’t believe I passed so close to Lexington BBQ and didn’t order a sandwich. I guess I need to make another trip in the very near future.