Barbecue Quote by Michael Pollan
“Barbecue is an incredibly democratic food. It's cheaper than McDonald's in many places and far more delicious. On the other hand, the only reason it can be that cheap is they use commodity hogs, the worst of the worst, which is - you know, it's an industry kind of ruining North Carolina.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan, 2006
Barbecue's low cost and taste stem from industrial hog production, which raises ethical and environmental concerns despite its popularity.
In simple terms: Cheap BBQ comes from problematic hog farms.
Key Takeaway
Consider ethical sourcing for BBQ.
Themes
food
ethics
environment
culture
Mood
critical
concerned
inquisitive
Type
social
environmental
When to use this quote
- home grilling
- farm‑to‑table events
- policy advocacy
- consumer education
Key Concepts
sustainability
industrial agriculture
culinary tradition
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance flavor and ethics?
- What alternatives exist?
A Different Perspective
Taste may outweigh ethical concerns for many.
![“[I]t is remarkable how much sheer bullshit seems to accrete around the subject of barbecue. No other kind of cooking comes even close. Exactly why, I’m not sure, but it may be that cooking over fire is so straightforward that the people who do it feel a need to baste the process in thick layers of…” quote by Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86a/michael-pollan-408_quote_i-t-is-remarkable-how-much-sheer-bullshi_1837623.jpg)
