In Texas, barbecue isn’t just food — it’s practically a way of life. That’s why even a casual remark about what makes great BBQ can quickly become a talking point across the Lone Star State. In a resurfaced promotional video filmed in Washington, D.C., Texas Governor Greg Abbott made a bold claim that some barbecue fans may find hard to swallow: “The most important thing about barbecue is sauce.” The remark has left plenty of Texans scratching their heads and reignited a familiar debate over what really makes great Texas BBQ.
The resurfaced video, originally published 11 years ago, is titled “How to Order BBQ With the Governor of Texas” and shows Gov. Greg Abbott sitting down at a restaurant to discuss a topic that holds a special place in many Texans’ hearts: barbecue. Abbott explains, “I’ve been eating barbecue since I was a kid growing up.”
During the brief promotional video, one of Abbott’s remarks stood out: “The most important thing about barbecue is sauce. If you don’t have the sauce right, I don’t think it works.” He also admitted that he’s not much of a coleslaw fan while making it clear that ribs are a staple of any good BBQ order.
Abbott later summed up his ideal barbecue meal with a quick rundown: “Brisket and Tex Mex all day. Banana pudding is a must. Ribs complete any order. And coleslaw still sucks.” Unsurprisingly, Abbott’s assertion that sauce is the most important part of barbecue didn’t sit well with everyone.
Texans Weigh In
One Reddit user wrote, “The best thing about real Texas BBQ is that it DOESN’T need a sauce! 🤷🏻♂️” while another added, “Why is that so [expletive] hard to understand? If you want sauce a KC or North Carolina BBQ is fine.”
For many Texans, the quality of the meat and the smoking process are what define great barbecue, with sauce often viewed as an optional accompaniment rather than the star of the show.
That sentiment was echoed by another commenter, who wrote, “Exactly. REAL Texas barbecue is seasoned with just salt and pepper. You may have sauce on the side, but NO ONE smokes it with sauce.”
Others took a more lighthearted approach to the debate. One user joked, “No sauce ever, as god intended BBQ to be,” while another suggested Abbott’s comments were out of step with local barbecue traditions, writing, “Very unTexan of him.”
A separate commenter summed up the prevailing mood in the thread with a blunt assessment: “Smother a bad bbq in sauce. Good bbq doesn’t need it. Abbott needs it.”
As the debate continues online, it’s clear that Abbott’s take isn’t one that resonates with many Texas BBQ enthusiasts. While opinions differ on everything from brisket to side dishes, many commenters agreed on one thing: great barbecue should be able to stand on its own without relying on sauce.
More than a decade after the video was first published, the resurfaced clip has reignited a surprisingly passionate discussion about one of Texas’ most treasured traditions. If nothing else, it serves as a reminder that when it comes to BBQ in the Lone Star State, everyone has an opinion — and they’re rarely afraid to share it.
