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Vote of the week: Theme park barbecue

By Robert Niles
Published: July 31, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Traveling through the U.S. south, you find a lot of places to eat barbecue. And theme parks are no exception. I ate more meat at Busch Gardens Williamsburg yesterday than I usually eat in a week. (And I was splitting every meal!) I can't imagine the amount of 'cue that some folks can put in.

So let's talk about meat this week - slow smoked, pink on the inside, barbecue meat. But which kind?

I'm not talking about sauces here. (That's another debate entirely.) Simply, which kind and cut of meat do you select when you are eating barbecue at a theme park. No picking the combo plate, either. You've got to select just one. (And you can select "none" if you're not a big meat-eater.)

poll by twiigs.com

Please tell us about your single favorite theme park barbecue meal, in the comments.

Readers' Opinions

From Steve Ward on August 1, 2009 at 5:19 AM
Its all about the pulled pork for me..
we dont really get that in the UK so when i was over in Orlando earlier this year i had to cram as much as possible down me.. OK we found places outside of the parks that did it better (specifically Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ just north of Universal Studios)but BBQ is something we just dont do much of in the UK parks. its a nice treat
From 75.24.115.191 on August 1, 2009 at 5:49 AM
Really enjoyed the BBQ chicken at Flame Tree in Animal Kingdom. It was moist, delicious, and a most generous portion. Looking forward to going back this September!
From Emily G on August 1, 2009 at 6:54 AM
I'm not a big meat eater so I've voted no barbeque for me. I do love the smell though so when I visit Busch Gardens Tampa this year I may be tempted by a sausage or some chicken. Especially as the Zambia Smokehouse has such good reviews.
From James Rao on August 1, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Brisket. It should not even be close.

For a good chain restaurant where you can get some great brisket, stop by Famous Dave's and order the Texas Manhandler sandwich. Delicious beef brisket piled high, a few pieces of BBQ sausage, sprinkle on a few Hellfire prickles, add your favorite Famous Dave's sauce (Devil's Spit + Georgia Mustard are a winning combination for me), and you have yourself one outstanding sandwich!

From Anthony Murphy on August 1, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Pulled Pork, but I like most of them.

My fav. BBQ? Hoop de Do and Flame Tree BBQ

I hear that Dollywood has some good BBQ

From Curtis Young on August 1, 2009 at 7:55 PM
I AM a big meat eater, but I picked "no BBQ" because after years in Memphis I'm a bit of a snob about it! I've certainly had decent 'Q at parks, though. Dollywood and IOA aren't bad at all, but neither would make me wanna slap my mama, like BBQ oughta.
From Pyra Dong on August 1, 2009 at 9:13 PM
"makes me wanna slap my mama"...??? HAHAHAHAH i don't get it... but I love it.

Chicken for me!! Especially really seasoned ones with slight charring. My only beef with most theme park chicken (no pun intended) is they don't have the sides to match. I want chicken with some really nice flavored fries and I haven't seen that yet. Or rice with my BBQ chicken. i AM asian...

From Jack Curley on August 2, 2009 at 6:51 PM
I love me some pork robs, but I don't consider it to be theme park food. Pork ribs will hold you back the rest of the day. I'd be most likely to go for the pulled pork, followed by the chicken.
From 24.196.210.92 on August 2, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Always eat when dinning starts, you may end up with a dried up meat. I fail to do this at Fiesta Texas and ended up with dry chicken. The rest of my platter was fine but I bet was better two hours early. I was the last customer for the day but wanted to rest up for the last hour as the park wound down.
ore rides less wait.

Go-bear

From Tyler S. on August 3, 2009 at 8:45 AM
No theme park BBQ for me, when i'm at BGE id rather just leave the park and take the 20 minute trip up the road to Pierces Pitt BBQ!

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