Burgerless BBQ?

[ComfortablyNumb]

Troutman The OP PM'd me that his name was Steve Troutman, but I used 'Joe' so that he would remain anonymous. ;-)

[Troutman]

So how do you know his name is Joe?

[Mosca]

Thinking about it, it’s actually a cookout. A cookout could include everything and anything. It could have bbq, it could have hot dogs. It could have shrimp on the barbie, along with chicken and steaks. It could have brisket and ribs. It could have all of the above!

[Huskee]

I agree they seem to be synonymous with a cookout, just like hotdogs/brats, and "BBQ" seems to be synonymous with any cookout to most people, whether grilling or whatever.

Purely based on how I think of it (not based on a dictionary definition, or even Meathead's definition):

• If I invite you over for "BBQ" there will not be burgers.
• I will invite you over for "burgers" if I am cooking burgers, same as I'd invite you over for "steak" if I am grilling steaks.
• "BBQ" to me means ribs, pulled pork, brisket, etc.
• I don't even classify smoked chicken as "BBQ" to be honest, I would say "BBQ chicken" or "smoked chicken" if it's chicken.

This is purely based on what *I* would expect if I were invited somewhere for any of the above, so that's how I word it. If you invite me over for BBQ and there's burgers, dogs, and chicken legs I wold be grateful of course and I'd love it, but I'd think to myself "man this isn't 'BBQ' ".

[ComfortablyNumb]

Be sure to invite Mr. Bones and myself, we'll take good care of him.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Just out of curiosity, what does he call it when you serve grilled or smoked meats, but no burgers? Let's just say, for sake of argument, a "cook out". Invite him and a bunch of co-workers or friends over for a "cook out" and serve pulled pork and brisket. Have it planned so that everyone says things such as "great BBQ" "love the BBQ" "best BBQ I've been invited to in a long time".

If you don't want to go to that much trouble, find a BBQ restaurant that does not serve burgers and plan a work lunch there. Then in the middle of the meal ask, "So Joe, how can they call this a BBQ restaurant if they don't serve burgers? Maybe you should go over and cook the pitmaster in the jimmy."

[Histrix]

"BBQ" is both a noun and a verb and how it is used is quite likely just due to regional variation.

When I use it to "invite folks over for a bbq" what that means is I'm having a cookout and there will likely be a variety of proteins (almost certainly to also include burgers and dogs) and veggies prepared in a variety of ways on a variety of grills/smokers/parillas/wok/fondue pot/whateva.

When I invite folks over to "eat some bbq" I intend that to mean that I've done a brisket or a pork butt in one of my smokers in the previous ten hours or so and I'm willing to share some, along with a couple of sides.

When I invite folks over for a whole hog I don't call that a bbq cuz that would be wrong - that's a pig pickin.

In the "come eat some bbq" or "pig-pickin" instances if I know young kids will be coming I'll also have a few burgers and dogs at the ready. If your work pal were to attend I'd be more than happy to plate him a burger and some potato chips and pour him a drink in a "sippy cup" and point him in the direction of the kiddies table.

[Dan Deter]

Troutman I am hobbled by my raising Where I grew up in NC BBQ is a noun, and specifically means pork. While I have grown to love lots of other variations, I still enjoy trying to get a rise out of my Texas in-laws...

[smokin fool]

and forget to buy buns....that'll be the icing on the cake, you'll never hear from the guy again

[Troutman]

...or a well done meteorite

[Troutman]

Agreed.

[Troutman]

-1. I would respectfully disagree, by definition bbq is the cooking out doors over live fire. That by definition includes smoking, grilling and even pellet cooking, all use live fire.

[Polarbear777]

Make some burgers. Top them with pulled pork and homemade slaw and be sure to bring them into work the next day and reheat gently in the microwave before putting in a freshly toasted bun and eating it all within nose-shot of him.

[Arsenlael]

Now I've got to find an iron cup. Maybe they have one that earned at least a gold pick on the site! I'll make burgers just to spite him (thanks Bones)

[Mr. Bones]

ComfortablyNumb HeeHee, it's certainly possible, Brother!