GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Starting Memorial Day weekend and continuing long past Labor Day, myriads of Americans light up the briquettes and treat their tastebuds to shared feasts centered around grilled chicken, pulled pork, and barbecued ribs. But for many, the time, patience, and skill required to get the right flavor and tenderness can feel a bit daunting. If you are one of the many—or you’re looking for great food that’s ready to go without all the fuss—Momma Lo’s BBQ in Great Barrington is here to help.
According to FOOD52 writer Arlyn Osborne, in “A Brief History of the American Cookout,”the origins of American barbecue date back to the late 1400s, when Spanish explorers landed in the Caribbean, “where they came across an indigenous tribe known as the Taíno slow-cooking on wooden frames.” Traveling north, they took the new cooking technique (called “barbacoa,” which later became “barbecue”) with them.