Brother vs. Brother, Family vs. Family: The Great N.C. BBQ Debate

State vs. Carolina. Coke vs. Pepsi. Panthers vs. Redskins. Raleigh vs. Charlotte.

These are all major feud-starters. Families have been divided over less. But few topics in North Carolina result in the kind of impassioned debate as: "What kind of barbecue is better?" This chopped version of the "Other White Meat" is king in North Carolina (so long, tobacco!). But then again, that's like saying basketball is king. Sure, everyone can agree that hoops rules in the Old North State. But which team? UNC? N.C. State? Duke? Wake Forest?

While numerous factions split the basketball vote, We can all agree that BBQ rules -- but which kind? For my money, you just can't beat good ol' Eastern-style barbecue. (And, for what it's worth, there's no better venue than Wilber's in Goldsboro.)

Having said that, it's hard to argue with the fact that -- as far as I can tell -- just one city in the state can actually lay claim to having a style of 'cue named after it: Lexington. Then it makes sense that two authors, doing "research" (what a gig!) for a book about BBQ, made a pit stop in Lexington recently.

As the Dispatch noted, the great east-vs.-west controversy was even broached by the two authors. It's doubtful that this great rivalry will come to an end anytime soon.