Thoughts on a lost innocence, cow and pigs Quite some time ago I lost my innocence. It was later in life than most would believe and not even in Texas where I was born. I had finished undergraduate school, law school and decided to go to New York and learn how to be a Tax lawyer. While living in New York was quite an adventure for a boy from Alice Texas that was not where I lost my innocence but it did contribute in a meaningful way. You see for the entire time I lived in New York I never had a plate of BBQ. Now I am out of New York an in North Carolina headed toward Texas with BBQ on my mind. I was told about the best BBQ in NC, the place was on my way so I drove with determination to reach that place and satisfy my need. It was a long drive, I skipped lunch in order to get there before closing time and I had a serious hunger on. The choices were simple … BBQ … large or small along with a choice of side dishes. Easy choice … large with pinto beans and cole slaw. At this point I do not know whether I hungry or excited or both but there will soon be BBQ. After what seemed like an eternity but was more likely only a few minutes my meal. My excitement was quickly replaced by disappointment. I call the waiter over and say … “Sir there must be some mistake I ordered BBQ”. He looked at me almost as if he did not know what to say. “That is BBQ sir, and we are quite well known for it”. I am hungry, tired and being just out of Law School know more than there is to know about things than there is to know set about to correct him and establish my superior knowledge of BBQ. Mister, I know what BBQ is. I was born and raised in a small town in South Texas where BBQ was a way of life. As an infant I was bottle fed and started on BBQ sauce at two weeks. Our BBQ was so tender I started eating it before I had teeth. Later I learned to make the sauce myself, gather the mesquite wood to slow cook it and to make my own BBQ pits. I know what BBQ and this isn’t it, this is a pig chopped up into little pieces, you and I are getting now where, I would like to speak to your manager. With a shrug he turns and calls across the room … “Hey Mac, we have another Texan trying to tell us what BBQ is and he wants to explain it to you. When Mac came to the table I received a very kind explanation of the differing views of what BBQ is, ate my pig, part of a complimentary side order of crow and left knowing that while there are differing views of what BBQ is only a Texan knows for sure and it usually starts off with a cow.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 13:44:13 +0000