19 Of The Most Mouthwatering Barbecues In Movie History

Would you rather: Chicken with Vin Diesel or burgers with James Van Der Beek?

1. Poetic Justice (1993)

https://vimeo.com/58827347

http://hellobeautiful.com/2012/05/28/top-5-bbq-scenes-in-black-movies/

The Plot: Depressed young poet Justice (Janet Jackson) is forced to ride with an eccentric mail carrier Lucky (Tupac Shakur) on her way to a convention in Oakland.

The BBQ: Justice and company follow the sweet smell of BBQ to crash a family reunion cookout. Wise and sage Lucky teaches us the importance of sticking together: "We black. We all family. Especially when it comes to barbecue."

2. Varsity Blues (1999)

MTV Films / Via youtube.com

The Plot: In a small, football-worshipping Texan town, an unexpected injury forces second-string quaterback Mox (James Van Der Beek) to step up and lead his team to victory.

The BBQ: At the neighborhood BBQ, Mox's abusive dad–determined to prove his son is the best quarterback in town–gets exactly what he asks for. Cue the red washout!

3. Neighbors (2014)

Good Universe / Via giphy.com

The Plot: A rowdy frat moves in next door to a not-as-chill-as-they-thought-they-were couple and their newborn.

The BBQ: As part of the escalating shenanigans between the neighbors, loud-ass music, shirtless BBQs, and weiner waving ensue.

4. The Kings Of BBQ Barbecue Kuwait (2012)

John Markus / Via thekingsofbbqkuwait.com

The Plot: Five Southern pitmasters travel to Kuwait to feed over 5,000 U.S. soldiers.

The BBQ: The whole movie is one big BBQ wet dream, from prep to meal. But the best moments are when the soldiers finally get to dig in and are reminded of home. 😭 🇺🇸

5. Boyz N The Hood (1991)

Columbia PIctures / Via youtube.com

The Plot: This movie follows a group of childhood friends and their various approaches to life in South Central, LA in the '80s and '90s.

The BBQ: After an enlightening conversation about the effects of AIDS, Tre (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) impresses Brandi (Nia Long) by insisting the ladies get served first. Dough (Ice Cube) uses more colorful vocabulary, but A for effort?

6. Gone In 60 Seconds (2000)

Touchstone Pictures / Via youtube.com

The Plot: Retired car thief extraordinaire Memphis (Nic Cage) must reunite with his crew for one last big job to save his brother.

The BBQ: The gang celebrates a job well done with a BBQ grilled in the hood of a '72 El Camino. Possibly the most badass BBQ in cinematic history.

7. Barbecue: A Texas Love Story (2004)

Electro-Fish Media / Via youtube.com

The Plot: This documentary travels the Lone Star state and concludes that "almost every aspect of life in Texas ties back to barbecue."

The BBQ: The best part of this film is observing the different approaches to the same hunks of meat, from the grillers to the eaters to the politicians hosting fundraisers. And somehow every juicy, smokey meal is better than the last.

8. National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkExpbnjsX8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkExpbnjsX8

The Plot: Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) leads his family on a cross-country trip to the mecca of family fun: Walley World.

The BBQ: The Griswolds make a stop at Cousin Eddie's (Randy Quaid) for a decidedly unconventional barbecue. The menu features ~handmade~ punch (GET IT?), toasted buns, and lots of tomatoes: "Real tomato ketchup, Eddie?" "Nothin' but the best!"

9. Father Of The Bride (1991)

Touchstone Pictures / Via youtube.com

The Plot: George's (Steve Martin) daughter is getting married and he actually cannot deal.

The BBQ: At their family cookout, Annie suggests having her wedding in their own backyard. George envisions a BBQ bonanza with balloons, paper tablecloths, and his "famous guacamole." But no one else seems to think this idea is 'holy matrimony' material.

10. The Fast & The Furious (2001)

Universal Pictures / Via youtube.com

The Plot: Undercover LAPD officer O'Connor (Paul Walker) starts to get pretty close to the street racers he's infiltrated.

The BBQ: Even drag-racing thieves get together to share some BBQ. They even say grace: "Thank you for providing us with a direct port nitrous injection, four core intercoolers, and ball-bearing turbos, and titanium valve springs." Amen. 🙏

11. Giant (1956)

Warner Bros. / Via tmbbq.com

The Plot: When Texan rancher Bick (Rock Hudson) falls for East Coast rich girl Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor), they both must learn how to compromise their very different lifestyles.

The BBQ: When the two get hitched, they celebrate with a real ~Texas BBQ~. So, naturally, amidst the brisket and beef is a straight-up calf’s head. Though Bick assures her that "them brains is sure sweet," Leslie faints on the spot.

12. Chef (2014)

Aldamisa Entertainment / Via netflix.com

The Plot: A chef (Jon Favreau) loses his high-end restaurant gig and returns to his creative roots in Cuban cuisine.

The BBQ: While this movie is overflowing with delicious food, nothing compares to the succulent scene of brisket heaven from real-life award-winning Franklin Barbecue in Austin, TX. Let me get you a napkin for the drool.

13. The Waterboy (1998)

Touchstone Pictures / Via breakdownthatfilm.blogspot.com

The Plot: Bobby (Adam Sandler) is the waterboy for the Florida Gators, but has a knack for tackling the crap out of people. If only his mama (Kathy Bates) would let him join the team.

The BBQ: Bobby invites Vicki (Fairuza Balk) over to meet Mama and she treats them to her specialty: Barbecued alligator. Too bad Mama can't get over her belief that loving relationships, higher education, and football are "THE DEVIL".

14. Primary Colors (1998)

Award Entertainment / Via youtube.com

The Plot: Based on the campaign of Bill Clinton, this movie follows a Southern governor Jack Stanton (John Travolta) running for president.

The BBQ: Stanton frequently holds court at his favorite BBQ pit Fat Willie's, where he bonds with the pitmaster over loving their mamas, while his staff actually plans how to win the election.

15. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

http://www.halloweenforum.com/halloween-props/139312-man-bbqing-his-own-head-hot-coal-effect-wip-pics.html

http://www.aguystakeonfeministfilms.net/blog/archives/12-2014

The Plot: Dissatisfied housewife Evelyn (Kathy Bates) is inspired by the tales of nursing home resident and raconteur Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tindy) to lead a more fulfilling life.

The BBQ: Ninny tells Evelyn of how two young women she knew started the Whistle Stop Café to feature the unparalleled BBQ of their friend Big George. It's the best anyone in town had tasted, but Big George's only tip is that "the secret's in the sauce."

16. Goodfellas (1990)

Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

The Plot: Small-time gangster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) works his way up through the Lucchese crime family in '60s and '70s-era Brooklyn.

The BBQ: These Italians share many a meal, but the BBQ in which Paulie (Paul Sorvino) is established as the taciturn "police department for wise guys" is equal parts mouthwatering and fascinating.

17. Gran Torino (2008)

Matten Productions / Via youtube.com

The Plot: Ornery Korean War vet Walt (Clint Eastwood) decides to reform his teenage Hmong neighbor Thao (Bee Vang), who unsuccessfully tried to steal is '72 Gran Torino.

The BBQ: When Walt is invited to Thao's for a Hmong barbecue, he pretty much shuffles around making snide comments about their traditions. But he comes to realize that he's actually got more in common with Thao's folks than his own "spoiled-rotten family".

18. Vegas Vacation (1997)

Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com

The Plot: The Griswolds are off on another adventure, this time to Las Vegas.

The BBQ: Once again, Cousin Eddie demonstrates that there are no rules when it comes to BBQ, using the Phoenix climate to his advantage by rustling up some chicken hot off the rock. It's probably full of minerals and iron and stuff now, right?

19. House Of Cards (2013-)

Netflix / Via marist.spoonuniversity.com

The Plot: This TV series follows the wheelings, dealings, and killings of Frank Underwood as he climbs the political ladder.

The BBQ: Ok, it's not a movie, but who can deny the delicious role played by BBQ in Frank's rise to the top in D.C.? His complicated relationship with pitmaster Freddy is almost as compelling to watch as those sauce-smothered ribs.