Travel Souths Best The South's Best BBQ Joint in Every State 2018 By Valerie Fraser Luesse Valerie Fraser Luesse Senior Travel Editor Valerie Fraser Luesse has been associated with Southern Living and its affiliates since 1988 or, as she puts it, "I predate voicemail." After a decade in corporate communications, she moved to Southern Living Editorial as creative development director in 2001 and was later a senior writer in the travel department. Valerie left the magazine to freelance for a while (Valerie hated freelancing) and returned in 2016. Since then, she has had many adventures in storytelling, online and on the road.The Alabama native lives in Birmingham and writes novels on the side, including Under the Bayou Moon, The Key to Everything, Almost Home, and Missing Isaac. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 14, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Courtesy of Fat Pete's 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. 01 of 15 See The Winners 02 of 15 Alabama: Dreamland Bar-B-Que Courtesy of Dreamland BBQ Tuscaloosa, Alabama 03 of 15 Arkansas: McClard's Bar-B-Q Dero Sanford Hot Springs, Arkansas 04 of 15 Florida: 4 Rivers Smokehouse Courtesy of 4 Rivers Smokehouse Winter Park, Florida 05 of 15 Georgia: Southern Soul Barbeque Andrew Thomas Lee St. Simons Island, Georgia 06 of 15 Kentucky: Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn Hector Manuel Sanchez Owensboro, Kentucky 07 of 15 Louisiana: The Joint Mia Reade-Baylor New Orleans, Louisiana 08 of 15 Mississippi: The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint Courtesy of The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint Ocean Springs, Mississippi 09 of 15 Missouri: Arthur Bryant's Hector Manuel Sanchez Kansas City, Missouri 10 of 15 Oklahoma: Oklahoma Joe's Bar-B-Cue Courtesy of Oklahoma Joe's Tulsa, Oklahoma 11 of 15 North Carolina: Lexington Barbecue Robbie Caponetto Lexington, North Carolina 12 of 15 South Carolina: Maurice's Piggie Park BBQ Maurice’s Piggie Park Columbia, South Carolina 13 of 15 Tennessee: Charlie Vergos Rendezvous Robbie Caponetto Memphis, Tennessee 14 of 15 Texas: The Salt Lick BBQ Courtesy of The Salt Lick BBQ Driftwood, Texas 15 of 15 Washington, D.C.: Fat Pete's Barbecue Courtesy of Fat Pete's Washington, D.C. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit