I love to grill too, but the obsession with grills in the south is over the top. Then again, thats probably why there are huge obesity problems in the south compared to the north too.
They say some of the best restaurants are here in NYC, and I will agree there are some pretty good ones. Although, overall I think southern cooking is easily the best.
I will say that Chinese food in the south is like eating dog food though. Even some of the extreme dive Chinese restaurants / take-out are 100x better than what you find in Texas.
Though I will say this. There is a Chinese restaurant off Eastchase Parkway and I30 in Arlington next to the No-Frills Grill. Their food isn't great, but their hot and sour soup is easily the best I've ever eaten. I even told the guy, "Do you know why I come here?" He responded "The soup, everyone does". It doesn't even taste like any other hot and sour soup I've ever tasted. If you're ever in the area, check it out.