The South’s Best BBQ Joint in Every State 2018

By Valerie Luesse

Is there any food that Southerner’s are pickier about than barbecue? We don’t think so. Try putting North Carolina dip on Texas brisket, and both states will come after you. It’s just not done. And don’t suggest any sauce at all to the dry-rib crowd. When it comes to our ’cue of choice, Southerners aren’t just opinionated—we’re downright fanatical. So our editors knew we were opening the floodgates when we invited readers to pick the South’s best. We also knew we had better give states across the region a chance to spotlight their favorites. And here’s what we learned: The winners not only deliver succulent, smoky barbecue but also have some of the best names you’ll ever see on a place of business, from Fat Pete’s and Oklahoma Joe’s to Maurice’s Piggie Park and The Salt Lick. Ready to hit the road? Tie on your plastic bib, break out the paper napkins, and follow us to the smoke. From Southern Soul to Lexington, here, the best barbecue joints in every state.

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See The Winners

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Alabama: Dreamland Bar-B-Que

Courtesy of Dreamland BBQ

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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Arkansas: McClard’s Bar-B-Q

Dero Sanford

Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Florida: 4 Rivers Smokehouse

Courtesy of 4 Rivers Smokehouse

Winter Park, Florida

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Georgia: Southern Soul Barbeque

Andrew Thomas Lee

St. Simons Island, Georgia

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Kentucky: Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Owensboro, Kentucky

 

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Louisiana: The Joint

Mia Reade-Baylor

New Orleans, Louisiana

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Mississippi: The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint

Courtesy of The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

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Missouri: Arthur Bryant’s

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Kansas City, Missouri

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Oklahoma: Oklahoma Joe’s Bar-B-Cue

Courtesy of Oklahoma Joe's

Tulsa, Oklahoma

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North Carolina: Lexington Barbecue

Robbie Caponetto

Lexington, North Carolina

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South Carolina: Maurice’s Piggie Park BBQ

Maurice’s Piggie Park

Columbia, South Carolina

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Tennessee: Charlie Vergos Rendezvous

Robbie Caponetto

Memphis, Tennessee

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Texas: The Salt Lick BBQ

Courtesy of The Salt Lick BBQ

Driftwood, Texas

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Washington, D.C.: Fat Pete’s Barbecue

Courtesy of Fat Pete's

Washington, D.C.

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