At this point I feel I should mention Australia (especially Brisbane/Queensland) where there are public electric barbeques in all the seaside parks. They're only electric - I assume because Australia has a few issues with open fires - but someone from the local council goes round and cleans them every morning. Brilliant idea.
I agree that a gas BBQ is not the same as a kitchen gas grill, but the difference is pretty insignificant in terms of the flavour, social/smell stuff aside. You get all that with a proper BBQ, plus a different flavour, plus plus PLUS ... playing with fire. It's the stuff of manhood!
While I kinda agree with Jon about the absurdity of the situation, it cannot be denied that there is a simple pleasure to cooking and eating outdoors, expescially (I'm leaving that in cos I have no idea how my fingers, brain and netbook keyboard conspired to make that happen) communally.
