Moe's Original BBQ

Everybody, it seems, has a favorite story about barbecue. Here's mine. Mrs. Duggins and I took a road trip to Memphis. We were going to see Bonnie Raitt in concert. Now, when it comes to barbecue, Memphis has Elwood’s Shack, Corky’s, Fat Larry's and they all have their fans. But with apologies to all, this story is about Charlie Vergos Rendezvous. And, Robert Moss has me beat. He's author of the book "Barbecue, The History of an American institution." It's in a new and expanded edition from University of Alabama press. He joins me next on APR notebook.

A staggering 88% of grill masters in the United States favor meats, especially steak for their barbecues. But the latest research finds Americans are diversifying their BBQ menus with a growing interest in seafood and veggies. A popular choice in Alabama is pointing to healthier eating for a State with reputation for obesity and the medical comorbidities that go with it.

Barbeque may not rank up there with figgy pudding on Christmas menus this time of year. But that didn’t stop Newsweek Magazine from choosing three BBQ restaurants from its annual list top eateries.

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (AP) — The operators of a barbecue restaurant in Orange Beach say they will reopen after a fire swept through part of the business.…