Side Dishes for barbecues

When you picture a hearty, satisfying barbecue dinner, smoked meat takes center stage (check out Eater Seattle's guide to The Best Damn Barbecue in Seattle). And for some people, the only thing that could make pulled pork better is another helping of pulled pork. But for most, this kind of down home meal wouldn't be complete without a break from the brisket or a respite from the ribs. Enter the side order. (Check out the Illustrated Guide to Seattle's Best Barbecue Side Dishes, the companion piece to this map.)

The next time you're considering heading out for barbecue, don't overlook the magical morsels that complete the experience, from the cheesiest of mac and cheese to the gooiest of grits — okay, so maybe cheese factors heavily into the barbecue mythos. Still, not all the best accessories are dairy-based; read on to find out what else could pull your attention from the main course.