George Bush Sr. famously hated them. For some reason, people found that funny. I didn't get it then and I still don't get it.

What region if you don't mind me asking. I've lived in a couple of US states on the west coast and I've never encountered Brussel sprouts so casually and definitely never fried. It's usually in a part of a dinner at a 'nice' sit down restaurant and always roasted in the oven.

Where in the U.S.? Lots of people hate them. In fact, I've never seen a side of Brussels sprouts just given to you as a side. Maybe it's an option, but there are always other options.

The word barbeque comes from the Caribbean. I know people associate BBQ with the US, but it seems to have originated outside the US.

https://www.cindersbarbecues.co.uk/cinders/who-invented-the-bbq-the-history-of-barbecues/#:~:text=The%20Origin%20of%20'Barbecue',on%20sticks%20above%20a%20fire.

However, it originating in the indigenous cultures of the Caribbean and Central America, would explain why it's so prevalently associated with southern states.