It's Grill Talk

Well hey there. Welcome back to The Meat Platter. We’re officially half way through the month, and honestly can’t believe we are already hearing folks talking about open houses and school supplies.

We “j” chillin and soakin’ in the rest of summer. And think you should, too. Let’s not ruin the moment with worry, okay?

Let’s get into it.

 America’s favorite food to grill was mapped out state-by-state and the South…they’ve got opinions. A new analysis of Google search data from May 2025 through May 2026 looked at what every state is most interested in grilling.

• Burgers, chicken breast, ribeye, and grilled corn rank among America's most-searched grilling foods

• Beef leads grilling searches nationwide, while regional favorites range from California tri-tip and Southwestern carne asada to seafood in coastal states

• Grilled corn is America's most-searched grilled vegetable, and state-by-state search trends highlight regional preferences for vegetables, fruit, and seafood.

Burgers were the overall national winner, but the regional differences are the fun part: wings showed particular strength in Southern states including Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, while South Carolina stood out for grilled oysters.

Is this an exorbitant amount of money for a hand held fan? Ya. It is. But is it incredibly effective and on our Christmas list? Ya. It. Is.

The outdoor-kitchen conversation is increasingly moving from “How impressive can we make this?” to “Does this actually make cooking outside easier?” Current design coverage is specifically pointing toward a shift from aesthetics-first outdoor kitchens to function-first spaces.

What’s really important is: Prep space. Shade. Good lighting. A place for trash. Accessible fuel storage. Somewhere to set a screaming-hot pan. Just to name a few.

1. Function First Design: in a practical sense, this looks like a focus on how we actually cook, with an emphasis placed on workflow. Surfaces that hold up to daily use without constant maintenance, and material choices that prioritize durability and safety over just visual appeal.

2. Year- Round Usability: unlike your typical barbecue setup, outdoor kitchens are increasingly relying on some type of structural coverage, as well as higher-quality, weather-resistant materials.

3. The Need for Entertaining Space: for the ultimate outdoor hosting setup, a bar is practically an essential. They can work with any style, too, from modern designs to romantic, bistro-style outdoor kitchens.

4. Durable Material Choices: people are stepping beyond the purely functional and are finding visually intriguing ways to elevate the look of their outdoor kitchens, while still maintaining maximum durability and functionality.

5. Blending with Your Surroundings: outdoor kitchens can risk overpowering a space if they are not balanced with the surrounding landscape.

The July Playlist is as predictable as it gets in the best way possible- All. American. Summer, Baby! Click over to our Spotify page to check it and all of our other playlists out.

We swear, it’s worth it.

Did you know the loud buzzing you hear from cicadas is produced by specialized organs called tymbals—not by rubbing their wings together?

Some cicada choruses can reach around 90 decibels or more.

In other words, the soundtrack to a Southern summer can be roughly as loud as a lawn mower. When I was little, I thought that cicadas were the sound that hot weather made.

The “dry-zone” cooler backpack. The Ninja Outdoor FrostVault Go Backpack Soft Cooler is an interesting evolution of the backpack cooler because it has a separate cold, dry compartment—so your sandwiches don’t spend the day slowly becoming one with the melting ice.

At about $200, it’s not cheap, but this feels like the kind of practical innovation people understand.

A recent report on the rise of luxury outdoor cooking found growing demand for premium grills and live-fire equipment costing thousands of dollars, with retailers reporting significant growth in high-end barbecue sales.

The broader cultural shift is fascinating: the grill has gone from an appliance to a hobby, status object and entertainment centerpiece.

We hear that the Kamado Joe Konnected is simply the best if you're looking for a new charcoal grill. Its smart display is full of detailed feedback for grilling obsessives but it's also so simple to use that first timers can master it first time.

If you don’t believe us, let Tom tell you.

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My neighbor knocked on my door at 2:30 this morning. Can you believe that?

—Luckily, I was still awake playing the drums.