On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In the South, barbecue is more than just a style of cooking, but a subculture with wide variation between regions, and fierce rivalry for titles at barbecue competitions. Often the proprietors of Southern-style barbecue establishments in other areas originate from the South. There are usually three ingredients to barbecue—meat bbq near me wood smoke are essential.

The use of a sauce or seasoning varies widely between regional traditions. The first ingredient in the barbecue tradition is the meat. The most widely used meat in most barbecue is pork, particularly pork ribs, and also the pork shoulder for pulled pork. The techniques used to cook the meat are hot smoking and smoke cooking, distinct from cold-smoking.