– photo courtesy of Metro Creative Connection || Be it ribs, chops, pulled or chopped, no one knows barbecue like Marshall County's finest barbecue cooks.
Sizzlin' Summer: Barbecue Favorites from around the county
By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com
MARSHALL COUNTY – Anyone who’s ever spent much time in the south quickly learns that barbecue isn’t just dinner, it’s a way of life. Not only does good barbecue vary in its overall composition from north to south but from state to state, county to county, and sometimes, from town to town.
It is a given that the notion of barbecue from Illinois up, is not, in fact, barbecue. It’s grilling out. Likewise, good, true barbecue never comes prepackaged with the sauce already mixed in. These are concepts developed by folks that don’t use words like folks.
But what is good barbecue, really? With a style of cooking bordering on sheer art and so very versatile, who identifies what characteristics make up really good barbecue, and what are they?
In some communities, when a barbecue sandwich is ordered, it is a given that mayonnaise cole slaw will be slathered on top of the meat. In others, onions are the standard.
Just about anywhere, however, barbecue will be served with these items on the side if not on the sandwich, and customers can just about bet there will be a hefty helping of baked beans involved as well.
Then, of course, there is the age-old debate of pulled versus chopped pork — because in the south, it’s always pork; beef is for folks that, once again, don’t use words like folks — or pork chops versus ribs. Is it slow roasted in a pit or grilled? Barbecue preparation comes in too many different ways to keep track of.
And while the pork may be roasted to perfection, tender and juicy, one thing can make or break the whole operation: Sauce.
Spicy or sweet? Tangy or smokey?
And perhaps the better question is this: is there any right or wrong way to barbecue?
Well, okay, so there is definitely a wrong way, but aside from involving the local fire department, it’s largely a matter of personal preference. Fortunately, in Marshall County, there are plenty of established barbecue conoisseurs to do the hard work for us. Each has their own ways and means and secret recipes to tickle the taste buds. Check out some of the county’s finest:
300 Main St., Benton
527-5353
Smokie’s
1310 5th Ave., Calvert City
395-5078
Aurora BBQ
15927 U.S. Hwy. 68, Aurora
474-ABBQ
4-Little Pigs
198 W 5th St., Benton
527-9471
Hutchen’s
601 Main St., Benton
527-9424
King Bros. Supermarket
538 U.S. Hwy E, Benton
527-3090
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