Lexington, North Carolina
Lexington calls itself the "Barbecue Capital of the World".  Starting in 1984, the city has the Lexington Barbecue Festival each year, one of the largest street festivals in North Carolina.  In 2012, the US News and World Report ranked Lexington as #4 on its list of the best cities for barbecue.  Lexington-style barbecue is made with pork shoulder cooked slowly over a hardwood fire, usually hickory wood. It is served with a sauce made with vinegar, ketchup, water, salt, pepper and other spices.  There are many different way to make this sauce, mild, tangy, sweet or spicy.