Barbecue

Barbecue is a deli-style meat product, and that is the right frame for it: sliced cold cuts for sandwiches, platters, and quick meals rather than anything like outdoor grilling. By our assessment, its value is in that ready-to-use format, which makes it straightforward in the fridge and on the table. The trade-off is familiar with processed meat in general: the flavor is already decided for you, and the product is not trying to be fresh-cooked meat. In practice, that means convenience, salt, and a very particular texture that sits somewhere between firm and soft. In the category of deli meats, Barbecue sits closer to everyday packaged slices than to a chef’s specialty cut, and the Astrina catalogue’s Isla Délice label places it in a familiar processed-meat family. It suits people who want a simple sandwich filling, and it stops being interesting when they want a product with more room for cooking or seasoning.