Regardless of where you are in America, traditional Texas barbecue restaurants are incredibly popular. With delicious meats like brisket and ribs, as well as mouthwatering sauces, this type of food is simply unmatched. Yet, barbecue wasn’t always as we know it today. In fact, it’s rooted in the Caribbean before moving to the United States. And the experts at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit—the premier barbecue restaurant in Amelia, OH—are passionate about sharing this incredible history. Below, outline the history of barbecue.

The Meaty Background of Barbecue

Caribbean Roots

When Christopher Columbus encountered indigenous tribes in the Caribbean, he discovered that the natives used a special technique to cook their food. They cooked their meat over an indirect flame that was created with green wood. This method kept the meat and wood from burning, helping to preserve its flavor. The Spanish explorers called the technique barbacoa and brought it with them as they continued traveling north.

American Origins

In the 1500s, the Chickasaw Tribe in present-day Mississippi cooked a feast of pork over the barbacoa for Hernando de Soto, an explorer. With time, this technique made its way to the colonies and traveled as far north as Virginia. The method of cooking was incredibly popular in the South for several centuries. Farmers in this region depended on the easy nature of pig farming, as they could allow the pigs to run free when food was low. When slaughtered, the pigs were much leaner, and the Southerners turned to the slow-cooking nature of barbecue to tenderize their meat in the absence of fat.

Rising Popularity of Different Styles

By the time the Civil War took place, the South had nearly perfected their method of cooking this food. They depended on its low cost and even refused to export their meat to the northern states. As the years went on, the technique moved westward to Texas. It was here that people had the land to cultivate cattle and Texans began to incorporate the traditional methods with an entirely new type of meat.

Barbecue Today

Now, you can find a barbecue restaurant in nearly every metropolitan area. Consumers cannot get enough of the slow-smoked tradition that has weaved its way through generations of Americans.

When you’re searching for that perfect Texas-style barbecue, there’s simply no better option than Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. With their wide variety of authentic choices, delicious sides, and complementary ice cream, this barbecue restaurant has it all. They’ll even cater your next party or event located in the greater Cincinnati area. To learn more about their services, give them a call today at (513) 802-2700. You can also view the menu online.