You've gotta factor taste into it. Just because they were farmers from around there doesn't mean they know what tastes good. Having those people for relatives all my life and having tried every restaurant they swear up and down is delicious (and eaten their food at Thanksgiving), I've accepted that they don't have very...let's say complex palates. Sometimes I think that if the food is literally just cooked with any amount of sauce/seasoning they think it's good.

There are a few little holes in the wall that are the life-changing BBQ you've heard about, I promise. I've had them and consider them my benchmarks for good BBQ. Just don't take random small town guy's word for what's good because he might not know shit (could honestly say that for most people). Also, look for it in shacks that look a little sketchy in very small towns. Like <5000 people small.