1

Texas barbecue

Image: Andrik Langfield

Texas barbecue is heavily influenced by central European traditions . German and Czech immigrants settled in the state in the mid-nineteenth century introducing new ingredients. That is the main reason we find pork products like sausages in Texas-style barbecue, in addition to the classic beef brisket. In order to preserve fresh meat longer, they used to smoke it and cook it for a very long time. Over the years, this traditional barbecued meat, which originated in central Texas, spread throughout the state, so today we can enjoy not one but four different styles !

Central Texas BBQ is generally very straightforward, the meat is smoked over pecan, mesquite, or oak wood with just a salt and pepper dry rub. South Texas BBQ has Mexican influences and uses a molasses-based sweet sauce. East Texas BBQ is marinated in a sweet tomato-based sauce and slowly cooked via indirect heat. Finally, West Texas BBQ is prepared over an open flame using mesquite wood.

2

Memphis barbecue

Image: Philipp Kämmerer

No doubt about it, Memphis is one of the BBQ capitals of America . Unlike barbecue styles in other states, in Memphis, the meat is cooked using charcoal instead of hardwood logs. Pork ribs and pork shoulder are the signature cuts prepared with a tangy and sweet sauce based on molasses and tomato. Classic sides for the Memphis barbecue are sweet baked beans and slaw.

Barbecue originated in Memphis at the beginning of the 20th century , when African Americans began to populate the state. Often found in lunchtime pork sandwiches and late-night treats in nightclubs, Memphis BBQ style soon became a staple in the area. Many entrepreneurs opened new restaurants during this time, including John H. Mills, considered Memphis’s First Barbecue King. Rumor has it that even the great Bing Crosby was a regular at Mills’s place whenever he was in town.

3

Kansas City barbecue

Image: fstop314.com

According to the Visit KC website, "Barbecue in Kansas City is more than a menu item or a method of preparation. It’s an institution." The fact is that Kansas barbecue has a long history and is central to the city's culinary culture . Not for nothing is it called the "BBQ Capital of the World". With more than 100 restaurants, there’s even a Kansas City Barbeque Society in charge of promoting this style of cooking around the world.

Kansas City’s love for barbecue started in the early 1900s when a man called Henry Perry began selling slices of hickory smoked meat wrapped in newspaper. Soon after, others followed and started developing their own barbecue recipes. Nowadays, the Kansas City barbecue style involves grilling or smoking different kinds of meat seasoned with a dry rub, then finished with a tomato-based barbeque sauce. Sides include bread, pickles, baked beans, and slaw.

4

North Carolina barbecue

Image: Peter Bravo de los Rios

Whether at a backyard grill, or a traditional wood fire pit at a local restaurant, North Carolina has a proud barbecue tradition. This particular method of smoking and cooking meat has its roots in the emergence of hog cultivation . In the 1500s, Spanish settlers brought pigs to the region and natives on Roanoke Island contributed with their wood-fired slow-cooking method. Over the years, barbecue in North Carolina became a special feature in every celebration and special occasion.

Although recipes may vary between different regions in the state, pork is always the main ingredient . While in the East people cook the whole hog, western Carolinians prioritize the pork shoulder. The sauce is a matter of controversy too. The Eastern tradition calls for a thin vinegar and pepper sauce, whereas Western recipes add tomato or ketchup. Geographical customs aside, if you happen to visit North Carolina, order a local barbecue in one of the many great restaurants and you won’t be disappointed!

5

South Carolina barbecue

Image: @felipepelaquim

Some argue that South Carolina is "The Birthplace of Barbecue" . We won’t be able to settle this debate here and now, but what is certain is that the Palmetto State's barbecue tradition goes back at least five centuries. As with North Carolina, South Carolina barbecue also has its origins in the cultural exchange between Spanish settlers and American Indians . Europeans brought and raised pigs on the islands off the Atlantic coast and the natives knew exactly how to cook them.

The South Carolina barbecue style means cooking and smoking meat —preferably pork— low and slow over hardwood coals. Sometimes pulled from a whole hog, sometimes chopped from a shoulder or ham, South Carolina barbecue comes with a signature sauce depending on the region . You can find a blend of vinegar, salt, and some red pepper to spice things up or a yellow sauce made of cider vinegar, brown sugar or honey, and mustard. No matter which one you get, be prepared for an exceptionally tender and flavorful dish!

6

St. Louis barbecue

Image: Rachel Bramlett

Did you know St. Louis is said to consume more BBQ sauce per person than anywhere else in the country? St. Louisans are big on spare ribs, which may have been introduced in the local culinary tradition more than a century ago. As the legend goes, a steamboat cook named Henry Perry used to slow smoke discarded slabs of ribs from the Kansas City stockyards using locally harvested hardwood trees.

Nowadays, the St. Louis barbecue style includes a variety of seasonings and cooking methods . From grilling to slow smoking, ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, and pork steaks are smeared with a sauce made from ingredients such as salt, vinegar, black pepper, brown sugar, tomato, and even apricots. Unlike other types of barbecue, St Louis style does not require a dry rub and it cooks a lot faster. White bread is the side of choice, especially if you want to make the most out of all that BBQ sauce!

7

Hawaiian barbecue

Image: Tirza van Dijk

Yes, they have barbecues in Hawaii. Although you won’t get the traditional ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, the Aloha State is home to a delicious kind of barbecue. Influenced by its many immigration waves —primarily from China, Korea, Japan, Portugal, and the Philippines—, it has labor origins dating back to the late 19th century . While modern Hawaiian barbecue includes various cooking techniques, such as roasting, smoking, and grilling, the traditional way requires an imu , an underground oven lined with hot rocks, and banana and ti leaves.

Barbecues from the Paradise of the Pacific are often sweet, tangy, and tropical . You can find chicken, beef, pork, and even seafood. Marinades and sauces incorporate Asian flavors and ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. Side dishes range from sticky rice to macaroni salad, complementing and balancing the bold flavors of the meats.

8

Alabama barbecue

Image: Rachel Bramlett

In the South, barbecue is synonymous with any meat that's cooked over the fire. Although pork is often the protein of choice, some restaurants in Alabama also feature brisket, chicken, and beef ribs. Barbecue became popular in Alabama during the early 19th century when difficult economic times required a clever way for the working class to bring flavor and tenderness to cheap cuts of meat.

Sauces involved in the Alabama barbecue style are as diverse as they come . Influenced by the neighboring states of the so-called "barbecue belt", you can find variations of tomato-based sauces, spicy marinades, mustard dressings, and even a white sauce made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Across Alabama, these mouth-watering smoked meats are often served on hamburger buns filled with dill pickles and topped with coleslaw.

9

Kentucky barbecue

Image: Luis Santoyo

Barbecues in Kentucky have been popular for a long time. In the Bluegrass State pork shoulders are a popular cut cooked on concrete block masonry pits for at least half a day. However, Kentucky is most famous for smoking mutton over hickory coals . Kentuckians also barbecue other meats like chicken, pork tenderloins, cured hams, and turkey breasts for sandwiches.

Kentucky is home to a diverse array of barbecue sauces with almost every county having its own take. For example, Hickman County uses mostly vinegar and cayenne pepper, while McCracken County sauces taste strongly of vinegar and chili powder. Others prefer an allspice Worcestershire-based dip. The signature sides for Kentucky barbecue are toast, vinegar slaw, and pickled eggs.

10

Florida barbecue

Image: Dim Hou

Florida may be best known for its fresh seafood but the Sunshine State also has its own barbecue style . And a soft spot for pork too! A testament to the important place pig meat has in Floridian cuisine is the Cuban twist on the classic BBQ sandwich found at many local joints.

What sets Florida barbecue apart from others is its Caribbean and Latin American influences. Florida BBQ often blends techniques of the Southern United States style barbecues —like the use of sweet tomato sauce or mustard sauce— with Caribbean flavors such as vinegar, fruits, peppers, and spices. It may not be the most traditional barbecue in the country but it is certainly worth a try!

1

Open the windows

Image: Braden Burson

Yes, you read that right. A sitting US president can’t just get up and open the windows of the White House to enjoy a beautiful day. While there’s no law against it, the protocols state that any action that could pose a security risk to the commander-in-chief must be carefully reviewed and approved by the staff.

2

Go to the cinema

Image: Krists Luhaers

Going to the movies is one of life’s simple pleasures. Unfortunately, if you’re the president, it’s not one of your options. While it’s not officially forbidden, crowded and dark spaces like movie theaters represent serious security risks. Luckily, the White House has its own private screening room, so the president and his family can still enjoy movie night at home.

3

Attend their children’s events

Image: Sincerely Media

You’ll rarely see a president at their kids’ school plays or sporting events. And it’s not because they’re bad parents; it’s because regulations discourage them from attending. With so many people, children, and things happening at the same time, keeping the commander-in-chief safe in those settings is nearly impossible.

4

Buy their own tech devices

Image: appshunter.io

When a new iPhone hits the market, many rush to buy it, but presidents can’t make this decision on their own. Any electronic device, like a smartphone or tablet, could be vulnerable to hacking or espionage. So while presidents can use cell phones, theirs must be secure, vetted, and government-approved.

5

Block people on social media

Image: Julian

And that isn’t the only restriction on cell phones. Presidents who use their social media accounts for official communications are advised not to block people in their official POTUS account, since doing so could be seen as suppressing free speech. On the other hand, they can block users on personal accounts.

6

Go out alone

Image: Warren K. Leffler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The US president can’t just grab the keys and head out for a walk. Sure, strolls around the White House gardens are fine, but stepping beyond the gates is a different story. Anytime the president leaves the White House, even for a quick walk around the block, the Secret Service must secure the area, plan the route, and provide constant protection. Sounds a little overwhelming, right? But when you’re the commander in chief, safety always comes first!

7

Drive

Image: Jerry Kavan

Ever felt the urge to hop in your car and drive somewhere spontaneously? Well, if you’re the President of the United States, that’s off-limits. Security measures strongly recommend that presidents must always travel in a secure vehicle with a driver and a full security detail. In fact, the last president known to drive alone on the open road was Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969).

8

Fly on commercial airlines

Image: The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Just as security protocols strongly discourage the president from driving alone on open roads, flying on commercial airlines is also off-limits. Imagine being hundreds of feet in the air, locked in with strangers; it could be extremely unsafe when you’re the president of the United States. Implementing proper security measures would be too complicated, and with a large presidential staff, there might not even be enough seats for everyone.

9

Accept expensive gifts

Image: Ayana Ames

Presidents receive many, many letters and gifts from the public, but not all of them can be accepted. The US Constitution and federal law require presidents to decline overly expensive gifts, whether they come from foreign leaders or everyday citizens, to prevent any appearance of conflict of interest or corruption.

10

Discard official mail

Image: Wolfgang Vrede

Although it may seem like a harmless, ordinary task, the president can’t just start cleaning out their office or email inbox. All presidential correspondence, physical or digital (even spam!), is considered official government property. It must be processed or archived according to federal records regulations, and discarding anything requires a strict review process.

1

New Hampshire: Seat belts are not mandatory

The invention of the seat belt revolutionized automobile safety, and it is not a surprise that it is a legal requirement for driving in the U.S. and many other countries . However, there is a state where it is not a requirement, provided that you are an adult.

Under New Hampshire state law, only minors are required to have a seatbelt —or a safety seat in the case of infants. Adults can do as they see fit in this matter , which follows the state’s stance on personal issues, reflected in its motto "Live Free or Die". However, while you will not be pulled over for driving without a seat belt, it can be used against you in the case of an accident or an injury lawsuit.

2

New Jersey: No pumping your own gas

A few decades ago, New Jersey was no exception in this matter, and it was just one of many states where self-service gas stations were banned due to safety concerns and pressure from full-service station owners.

Most states have repealed the ban since then —Oregon was the last state to do so in 2023; however, New Jersey still requires gas to be pumped by a trained attendant , imposing fines of up to $500 on any customer found pumping their own gas.

3

Nebraska: Unicameral legislature

49 of the 50 states have a government comprised of two chambers, a Senate and a House of Representatives, and the state of Nebraska originally followed the same structure. Still, a mere 50 years after gaining statehood in 1867, Nebraskans had grown tired of both chambers disagreeing on most laws and started pushing for the creation of a unified chamber.

This idea became a reality in 1937, when a referendum abolished the dual-chamber system and established a single-chamber system in its stead. But it was not just that: the newly instituted Nebraska Legislature reduced the number of representatives from 133 to 49 , elected without affiliation to a political party, to ensure that state affairs and interests would be at the forefront.

4

Texas: Right to create new states

Although the federal system gives states the authority to create their own laws and regulations, some major changes, such as a territorial division, require the explicit approval of both the state’s legislature and the U.S. Congress . That is, unless you are the State of Texas.

At the time of Texas annexation in 1845, a special clause regarding this matter was included in the annexation resolution, granting Texas the right to create up to four new states —while maintaining the State of Texas— out of its territory and population without interference from the U.S. Congress, though it would need approval from the state’s legislature. This clause has been invoked several times, citing administrative, political, or economic reasons to divide the territory, but it has never been put to use.

5

Alaska: Annual payment to residents

Out of all American states, Alaska has historically been considered one of the most difficult to live in due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle, its limited daylight, and its isolation. These physical difficulties also result in economic hardships, which means that many Alaskans rely on federal assistance.

In 1976, the state government established the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to ensure that residents of Alaska would benefit from the territory’s natural resources. Through this fund, the government invests a percentage of the state oil and mineral royalties and pays permanent residents —children included— an annual benefit. Part of the investment is also used to fund essential public services such as education, infrastructure, and safety.

6

Louisiana: Napoleonic Code system

As a consequence of its past as a British colony, America operates under a common law system . This means that, despite the enactment of new laws, past court and judicial decisions are extremely relevant and create a precedent.

Many states were never part of the British Empire, having belonged to France or Spain in the past, but only one has inherited a different legal system because of it. In the state of Louisiana, civil law is codified following the system of the Napoleonic Code . This means that decisions are not based on judicial precedents, but must follow the systematic laws collected in the code.

7

North Dakota: No voting registration

Voting registration is a huge part of America’s electoral system, with campaigns focusing on registration deadlines and requirements. Although voting is not mandatory, the registration system is intended to ensure that those who desire and are eligible to vote can do so.

The state of North Dakota is the sole exception to this prerequisite, having abolished voting registration in 1951. Does this mean that anyone can vote in North Dakota? Of course not. North Dakotans are required to show proof of ID at the polls before voting . If you have been a resident of the state for more than 30 days and fulfill the general requirements, you can vote.

8

Hawaii: No independent or incorporated cities

Not all American cities work in the same way when it comes to their governments . Cities and towns can be consolidated —meaning the city and county government is the same—, incorporated —having their own government but operating under county law—, or independent —not belonging to a county. Most states have a mix of these, but Hawaii is an exception.

The state of Hawaii is divided into four counties: Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi, and Kauaʻi. While the city of Honolulu has a municipal government, it is a consolidated city, meaning that there are no cities, towns, or jurisdictions in Hawaii that have a government of their own, and all issues, public services, and regulations are handled by the respective county.

9

Washington, D.C.: Laws have to be approved by Congress

Washington, D.C., is unique in itself because it is neither a state nor a territory, despite sharing characteristics with both. As a federal district, Washington, D.C., is part of the U.S. like the states are, but unlike them, it does not have legislative autonomy.

According to the Constitution, the jurisdiction over the city belongs to Congress, making it the de facto legislature of Washington, D.C. After the passing of the 1973 Home Rule Act, the city can elect a mayor and a city council, but all laws and regulations are ultimately subject to approval by Congress.

10

Montana: No "at-will" firing of a permanent employee

Employment laws vary from state to state, except for issues already defined by federal law. Despite the differences, most states follow the "at-will" doctrine, meaning that employers and employees can terminate the employment relationship at any time , for any legal reason, without notice, unless otherwise specified in a contract. While prohibiting discriminatory or unlawful terminations, this mode of employment gives flexibility for everyone involved.

The state of Montana, however, has a different approach to employment. State laws require a probationary period (usually 12 months), during which "at will" principles apply. After this period, employers must provide a "good cause" for termination , such as performance failures, disruption of operations, or other reasonable job-related issues.