Where to discover the finest BBQ in the USA

No cuisine embodies American culture quite like barbecue. Much like the diverse landscape of the USA, each region boasts its own unique styles and flavors, fueled by local pride. From sauce or no sauce to the choice of meat and cuts, debates over the best BBQ can really spark lively discussions.

Which state reigns supreme for BBQ? Choosing just one could ignite another barbecue rivalry, but the U.S. is home to four primary regional barbecue styles: Kansas City, Texas, Memphis, and the Carolinas. While BBQ restaurants are found in every state, the quality often improves as you approach these culinary hotspots.

Are you ready to indulge in a flavorful plate of smoked meat with a side of tradition? Here’s where to uncover the best barbecue across the USA.

1. Kansas City

I admit I have a bias – having grown up in Kansas and now residing in Kansas City, Missouri, the local BBQ style, which is rich in sauce and famous for its burnt ends, will always be my top choice. Enjoying barbecue is among the must-do activities when visiting KC, and BBQ spots on both sides of the state line are considered some of the finest restaurants in Kansas City.

Remarkably, you don’t even have to exit the airport. When the new Kansas City airport terminal launched in 2023, it featured a designated area for a barbecue smoker. However, KC couldn’t choose just one from its many BBQ eateries for this prime spot in the travel hub. Instead, an annual contest designates one restaurant to highlight each year.

Burnt ends, a unique Kansas City creation, are an essential order. These delectable bites originate from the fatty 'point' end of a beef brisket, a cut from the lower section of the animal, and were initially discarded during preparation. However, customers fell in love with these smoky, crispy, caramelized morsels, prompting some restaurants to either offer them for free or add them to their menus instead of discarding them.

Where to experience Kansas City barbecue: How do you pick your favorite child? Much of Kansas City's legendary barbecue heritage can be traced back to Henry Perry, a Black pitmaster who launched a restaurant here in the early 1900s. While Perry's establishment is no longer operating, he trained apprentice pitmasters who continued his legacy at Arthur Bryant's – regarded as the first spot to serve burnt ends – and Gates Bar-B-Q.

Next-generation pitmasters are firing up their smokers, crafting their unique interpretations of this classic dish. One standout creation from Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, the Z-Man sandwich (sliced brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings on a Kaiser roll) has achieved legendary status, best enjoyed at the original Joe's located in a gas station on the Kansas side of the border.

2. Austin, Texas

Head south to Texas, where brisket reigns supreme in the barbecue world, complemented by sausage links and pork ribs as part of the state's holy trinity of smoked meats. Each region in Texas has its own style variations, but the capital city is the ideal starting point for a barbecue journey.

Numerous Austin BBQ establishments serve the state's classic fare: brisket, links, and ribs that are dry-rubbed with simple spices and typically served with little to no sauce, all slowly smoked over oak or hickory wood. Texas Monthly magazine has released a list of the top BBQ restaurants in the state every four years since 1997, with Austin frequently appearing, especially in the top 10.

Be ready for long lines and limited hours at many popular BBQ spots – some open only for lunch (around 11am) and close once they sell out of the best items (usually by 2pm).

Where to enjoy barbecue in Austin: You'll have ample time – at least a couple of hours – to plan your day in the city while you wait in line at Franklin Barbecue, recognized as one of the finest BBQ spots in Texas. The fatty brisket, simply seasoned with salt and pepper, is smoked to perfection and served to eager customers who line up hours before the restaurant even opens.

Female-led La Barbecue is in pursuit of Austin's title for 'best barbecue,' making significant strides with its central Texas specialties and equally delicious and innovative alternative dishes, such as chipotle sausage.

3. Lockhart, Texas

Situated about 35 miles from Austin, Lockhart proudly holds the title of the BBQ capital of Texas, and that’s not just a tourism gimmick. The state House of Representatives officially recognized this central Texas town in 1999. Lockhart’s barbecue heritage spans generations, with some establishments serving BBQ for over a century. This rich tradition is complemented by new arrivals eager to innovate and establish their presence in the scene.

Where to sample Lockhart's finest barbecue: Founded in 1900, Kreuz Market is a cornerstone of the barbecue culture. Brisket and ribs are sold by the pound, and you can order any amount you desire. Don’t even think about asking for barbecue sauce, as it simply doesn’t exist here.

Black's Barbecue was established in 1932 and is the oldest barbecue restaurant in Texas still operated by the same family, now in its fourth generation. Be sure to try the smoked beef ribs and the sausage, which former president and Texas native Lyndon B. Johnson famously served at parties in Washington, DC.

Founded by women and operating only on weekends, Barbs B Q opened its doors in 2023, quickly attracting long lines of eager customers. The founders are from South Texas, and the menu features flavors from the borderlands, including fajita sausages and pork ribs topped with lime zest and drizzled with serrano pepper syrup.

4. Memphis, Tennessee

Pork ribs are a staple in Texas, but they truly shine in Memphis, where you can choose between a 'dry' rub of spices or a 'wet' slathering of sauce. Memphis-style barbecue sauces are a harmonious blend of tangy, smoky, and sweet flavors—akin to Kansas City styles—enhanced with vinegar, mustard, and sometimes a spicy kick.

Memphis sauce has a thinner consistency than that of Kansas City, making it perfect for marinating pork cuts that are cooked low and slow over a hickory or pecan wood fire. Memphis BBQ joints also offer unique menu items you won’t find elsewhere, like barbecue spaghetti (pasta topped with smoked or pulled pork and red sauce) and BBQ bologna sandwiches.

Where to experience Memphis barbecue: Central BBQ serves some of the finest pulled pork in several locations around Memphis, while Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous has been dishing out dry rub ribs from its basement restaurant down a side alley since the 1940s. The building's old coal chute was repurposed to create the firepit.

Cozy Corner offers classic Memphis dishes, including barbecued Cornish game hen, which is their signature dish. In 2020, Desiree Robinson, the restaurant's co-founder, became the first Black woman inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame.

5. North Carolina

Carolina BBQ is a true celebration of the whole hog, and it's no wonder since North Carolina ranks among the nation's top pork-producing states. The barbecue styles differ from east to west: the eastern method involves slow-cooking an entire pig for up to 24 hours, mixing the tender meat and crispy skin with a thin vinegar and pepper sauce, while the western style focuses on pork shoulders, typically accompanied by a sweeter ketchup-based sauce.

Where to experience North Carolina BBQ: The North Carolina Barbecue Society has created the informative North Carolina Historic Barbecue Trail, guiding you to some of the best barbecue spots in the state. In Ayden, Skylight Inn—also known as Pete Jones' BBQ after its founder—offers a fantastic stop. Established in 1947, Skylight Inn continues to prepare whole hogs over a wood fire and serves them with coleslaw and cornbread.

If you're in the mood for a western-style Carolina BBQ experience, head to Lexington, where the pork is typically served sliced or chopped rather than pulled. Barbecue Center began as an ice cream parlor in the 1950s, and you can still savor their delicious sundaes and banana splits alongside barbecue chicken and chopped pork. Their 'red slaw'—coleslaw made with vinegar and tomato BBQ sauce instead of mayonnaise—is a must-try side dish.