The Difference Between a “BBQ” and a “Picnic”, by a Southerner
The difference between a BBQ and a Picnic where I’m from is very simple. In the south when we say BBQ, or at least in Georgia anyways; we mean meat that we’ve put in the grill that will have BBQ Sauce on it in the future. We also have a word for meat that we’re cooking without sauce and that’s grilling. But, to go back to the topic at hand of the difference between a BBQ and a Picnic. A Picnic requires food made earlier that day or the night before such as items we’ve been cooking here on FoodTokTv during our Picnic Event Series this week in May.
Items you might find at a Picnic may include sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, fried chicken, cookies, pies, cakes, pasta salads, and anything else in those genres. Refreshments are also a must, because remember we’re going to be outside and if it’s a hot summer day in Georgia you’re gonna need an iced beverage to keep cool in that blazing sun. In the south a must as all gatherings is a big pitcher of overly sweetened tea and any kind of soda you’d like. My family usually goes with Diet Coke as our preferred carbonated liquid. But any soda you like is also an acceptable choice.
Back to BBQ. We’re I’m from thinks we love to BBQ is pork and chicken. In reality any meat you’d wish to slather in BBQ sauce in the end is ultimately your choice. We also enjoy making BBQ dishes such as BBQ Baked Beans and BBQ Marinated Vegetables. These items are great for cookouts, family gatherings, reunions, and church events for large crowds.
Picnics are additionally usually on a blanket or a covered picnic table. The food is wrapped up in grandmas Tupperware and doesn’t need to be reheated. We generally have a cooler of ice with our drinks available at the drop of a hat and a cooler just for ice to refill those red solo cups in a snap. Paper plates, paper napkins, and throw away utensils are in a metal caddy from Dollar General and all is great. If you’re lucky there’s also a light breeze while you lay on your blanket looking up at the blue sky watching planes makes lines across the sky as you crunch on a ice pop.
In the end, a Picnic and a BBQ are what you define it to be and what you call it where you’re from. Me, I’m from Georgia and that’s what I call it. That is also how my grandma, mom, pop, little sister, uncle, and the rest of my family would describe it as well. The best part of both is the friends, family, food, and memories. So here’s to all of your summers to come and those we remember in the past. Happy Memorial Day my dear friends.
Ashton or A.K.A.
JustLikeGranny
