Roughly 40% of the us population lives in “The South,” I think its fair to generalize that southern BBQ is an American staple cuisine.
The word barbeque comes from the Caribbean. I know people associate BBQ with the US, but it seems to have originated outside the US.
However, it originating in the indigenous cultures of the Caribbean and Central America, would explain why it’s so prevalently associated with southern states.
I’m not arguing about its origins, I’m saying you’re playing Family Feud (aka Family Fortune overseas) and the host asks you to name a type of American cuisine.
Is “bbq/barbeque” on the board? I’d say it’s probably #2 or #3 after Hamburgers (arguably bbq), hot dogs (arguably the same), fried chicken / wings (arguably the same), or pizza (arguably not “American” if bbq isnt either)
Others would be, TexMex, gumbo, cheesesteak, Thanksgiving dinner.
Anything else - deep-dish, pie a la mode, eggs benedict, candied yams, new England chowder, NY strip steak, Boston creme pie, a cheeseball… are way more niche than bbq