Sauces come in all flavor profiles. Really it reflects the flavors regionally that evolved around the country. In the Carolinas, you have vinegar-based sauces (among others). In Texas, you'll find less of a sauce and more of a flavor mop while cooking. And in Alabama you'll find a mayo-like white sauce. But in Kansas City, it's all about the sweet and slightly spicy tomato and molasses based sauce. The kind that many of us grew up with. The kind that KC BBQ joints tend to toss their famous burnt ends in. If you haven't been to Oklahoma Joe's, or some of the other pit houses in the state, it is worth the trip. You can learn more about other styles of BBQ sauces at this post about BBQ sauce styles.