JUNE 2019 // CHARLOTTE 67
WESTERNSTYLE SAUCE (also called
Piedmont- or Lexington-style) uses ketchup,
and sometimes brown sugar or Worcestershire
sauce. It’s still vinegar-based, but western-style
is sweeter and redder.EASTERNSTYLE SAUCE is vinegar-based (so
no tomato whatsoever) and often punched up
with cayenne or crushed red pepper to give it a
spicy, tart flavor.Fans of eastern-style say tomato-based sauce
is too generic—acidity and spice are the correct
notes. Fans of western-style say the tomato-
enriched sauce packs more flavor. Which side
are you on?Vinegar-based
sauce is traditional
with eastern-style
barbecue. Gary’s
Barbecue in China
Grove makes its
own vinegar-and-
pepper sauce.