The South's Best Barbecue Joints 2017

Franklin Barbecue
Photo: Courtesy of Franklin Barbecue

Barbecue: one word can split the South apart or bring it together. Internally we may squabble over the inherent righteousness of our preferred style, whether it be the mustard-based sauce of the Carolinas or Alabama's anomalous white sauce. But if an attack comes from the outside, perhaps a Northerner skeptical of the lines for Aaron Franklin's brisket in Austin or the crowds in the basement of Memphis' Rendezvous waiting for those legendary dry-rubbed ribs, we join arms in defense as Barbecue nation.

01 of 10

1. Southern Soul Barbeque

Southern Soul Barbeque in St. Simons Island, GA
Wynn Myers

St. Simons Island, Georgia

02 of 10

2. Dreamland

Dreamland Bar-B-Que

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

03 of 10

3. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Atlanta, Georgia

04 of 10

4. Lexington Barbecue

Lexington BBQ

Lexington, North Carolina

05 of 10

5. Charlie Vergos Rendezvous

Charlie Vergos Rendezvous

Memphis, Tennessee

06 of 10

6. The Salt Lick BBQ

The Salt Lick BBQ

Driftwood, Texas

07 of 10

7. Central BBQ

Central BBQ
Nancy Nolan

Memphis, Tennessee

08 of 10

8. Franklin Barbecue

Franklin Barbecue
Courtesy of Franklin Barbecue

Austin, Texas

09 of 10

9. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
Rush Jagoe

Decatur, Alabama

10 of 10

10. 4 Rivers Smokehouse

4 Rivers Smokehouse
Courtesy of 4 Rivers Smokehouse

Winter Park, Florida

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