Parisians Embrace American Barbecue

Paris as a destination for American-style barbecue sounds like an oxymoron. But although the Texas-sized nature of brisket and ribs served with hunks of white bread is a far cry from the traditional French palate, that doesn’t mean Parisians aren’t cozying up to the ultimate comfort cuisine—sides included.

At The Beast—aptly named after its custom smoker—dry-rubbed meats are cooked over an oak pit and served naked, in homage to the...