ST. LOUIS — From Kansas City to Texas and Carolina style, Saint Louis University surveyed Missourians based on their choice of preferred barbecue style.
Saint Louis University surveyed 900 Missouri voters from February 12 to March 2 based on the question, “Which of these regional styles of American barbecue is your favorite?”
Voters could select St. Louis, Kansas City, Texas, Carolina, or Memphis styles or ‘another style of barbecue,’ ‘I don’t like barbecue’ or ‘not sure.’
According to SLU, Kansas City style was the favorite for the majority of the voters, more than double the 17% of those who favored St. Louis style.
Which style of barbecue to Missourians prefer?
- Kansas City style: 41%
- St. Louis style: 17%
- Texas style: 10%
- Memphis style: 9%
- Carolina style: 2%
- “Another style of barbecue:” 3%
- “I don’t like barbecue:” 5%
- “Not sure:” 12%
Kansas City style is characterized by a thicker consistency compared to other barbecue sauces, with a tomato-based sauce with molasses, brown sugar, and a touch of vinegar or mustard. St. Louis style is a much thinner, less sweet sauce compared to Kansas City style.
Texas-style barbecue sauce is made of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and additional spices. Memphis-style is typically thinner compared to other barbecue sauces and is slightly sweeter.
Caroline-style barbecue sauce is typically made with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, mustard seed, Dijon mustard, and tomato paste.
The survey was in collaboration with YouGov, who interviewed 1320 Missouri registered voters who were screened and surveyed before 900 likely voters were selected. The poll was funded by the PRiME Center, an independent research center at SLU.