Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food
  • Holidays & Entertaining
  • Home & Garden
  • Style & Culture
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021

      The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Read More Next
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More Next
    • The Right Way to Heat a Pre-Cooked Ham

      It's so easy, trust us. Read More Next
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food

    Lost Cakes of the South

    These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback
    • All Food
    • All Recipes
    • Holidays & Occasions
    • Quick Fix Suppers
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Casseroles
    • Healthy Recipes
  • Holidays & Entertaining

    Holidays & Entertaining

    See All Holidays & Entertaining

    70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart

    Fight writer's block and find ways to express your love with these romantic, funny, and short wedding vow examples.
    • Christmas
    • Entertaining
    • Thanksgiving
    • Southern Weddings
    • Easter
    • Kentucky Derby
    • Valentine's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Mother's Day
  • Home & Garden

    Home & Garden

    See All Home & Garden

    7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020

    ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Before & After
    • Inspired Communities
    • Curb Appeal
    • House Plans & Builders
    • The Grumpy Gardener
    • Plant Names A-Z
  • Style & Culture

    Style & Culture

    See All Style & Culture

    50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime

    Curl up with a classic!
    • Southern Culture
    • Hair
    • Travel
    • Beauty
    • Pets
    • Southern Fashion
    • Healthy Living
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. travel
  3. The South's Best BBQ Joints 2011

The South's Best BBQ Joints 2011

June 22, 2011
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee
Take a culinary trip around the South to discover our favorite stops for each BBQ style.
Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Best Southern BBQ

Credit: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

The South is the most rewarding place in the world for food lovers to road trip: You can measure the distance you've traveled in the flavors you encounter. And no Southern food is more tenaciously regional than barbecue. Here, we dish up what we consider to be perfect plates of barbecue in four major regional styles.

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Carolina Style BBQ

Credit: Chris M. Rogers

Carolina 'cue is pork barbecue, pulled from a shoulder or whole hog, sauced with either a vinegar-, mustard-, or tomato-based sauce, and served with a side of coleslaw. Wilber's, Lexington Barbecue No. 1, Skylight Inn, and Scott's Bar-B-Que are masters of the Carolina craft.

2 of 25

3 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Wilber's, Goldsboro, NC

Credit: Photo: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

In true Carolina tradition, Wilber's has been turning out stellar whole-hog barbecue since 1962. You'll find an open fire out back producing the warmed charcoal that finishes the hogs on their 12-hour turn. The pork is then pulled by hand, chopped, moistened with apple cider vinegar, and seasoned with red chile flakes. The combination of chopped pork, a fried chicken thigh, creamy-tart slaw, potato salad, and hush puppies is the joint's perfect indulgence.

4172 Highway 70 East, Goldsboro, NC; 919/778-5218; wilbersbarbecue.com

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Lexington Barbecue No.1, Lexington, NC

Credit: Photo: Gary Clark, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Pulled pork shoulders are the hero of this Piedmont ‘cue mecca. Ask for your sandwich with a good amount of “outside brown meat”—the flavorful browned bits that form on the surface of the shoulder—and the vinegary, relish-like slaw, on top of the meat.

10 Highway 29-70 South, Lexington, NC; 336/249-9814

4 of 25

5 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Skylight Inn, Ayden, NC

Credit: Photo: Charles Walton IV, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Calling itself “The Capital of Barbecue” is a bold statement (to say nothing of the faux capitol-dome that sits atop the place!), but we think the whole hog here, finely chopped and with a generous amount of crispy bits of skin thrown into the mix, served with thin cornbread, is tops.

4617 Lee Street, Ayden, NC; 252/746-4113

5 of 25

6 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Scott's Bar-B-Que, Hemingway, SC

Credit: Photo: Lesley K. via Flickr, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Most barbecue restaurants order their wood by the tractor-trailer load. Rodney Scott sources, fells, and splits the hardwoods he uses to feed the pits at Scott’s. His whole hog, ordered with a side of skins, is second to none in South Carolina.

2734 Hemingway Highway, Hemingway, SC; 843/558-0134; thescottsbbq.com

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Sweatman's Bar-B-Que, Holly Hill, SC

Credit: Photo: Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Pulled whole hog is the king of the buffet line here—we recommend selecting from the more flavorful sauced dark-meat pan. Other items not to miss: the pork hash over rice, a South Carolina specialty, and the banana pudding.

1313 Gemini Drive, Holly Hill, SC; no phone; cash only

7 of 25

8 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Texas Style BBQ

Credit: Photo: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

The emphasis in Texas-style 'cue is on the meat. Smoky-moist brisket and spicy beef sausage take center stage, while the sauce usually serves as a side dip. Smitty's Market, Black's Barbecue, City Market, Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, and Sonny Bryan's show how it's done.

8 of 25

9 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Smitty's Market, Lockhart, TX

Credit: Photo: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Smitty's Market, a drafty warehouse in historic downtown Lockhart is one-of-a-kind when it comes to involving customers. In this Texas-style joint, eager customers line up in a sooty corridor, and as you get closer to the cash register, you are in the smokehouse. You've got ringside seats to the choreography of the pitmasters as they traffic sausages, briskets, and ribs into and out of two brick pits. After you make it through the line, dive into the deliciousness of a perfect plate: ¼ pound smoked brisket (not the lean), 1 "hot link," ¼ pound pork ribs, white bread, pickle, piece of cheese, and crackers.

208 South Commerce Street, Lockhart, TX; 512/398-9344; smittysmarket.com

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Black's Barbecue, Lockhart, TX

Credit: Photo: Kent Wang via Flickr, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Just a few blocks from Smitty’s Market, but a world away. There’s a delicious spicy-sweet tomato-based sauce for slathering on brisket and pork ribs, and live music on a small performance stage. Specialties of the house are beef ribs the size of dinosaur bones, and more than 20 different down-home sides like cornbread, deviled eggs, and macaroni salad.

215 North Main Street, Lockhart, TX; 512/398-2712; blacksbbq.com

10 of 25

11 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, Austin, TX

Credit: Photo courtesy of Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

When the brisket’s rubbed with coffee and brown sugar and the pork ribs are dusted with coriander and glazed with maple, we know we’re in postmodern ‘cue territory. Still, we adore the contemporary, sophisticated interpretation of Texas-style barbecue here.

401 West Second Street, Austin, TX; 512/494-1500; lambertsaustin.com

11 of 25

12 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

City Market, Luling, TX

Credit: Photo: Joshua Bousel via Flickr; Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

You place your order in a hot, smoky pit room, and get served on red butcher-paper. Sound familiar? City Market resembles Smitty’s in its almost monastic seriousness about the meat, but there are key differences: principally, a mustard-based sauce that must confound leagues of South Carolinians.

633 East Davis Street, Luling, TX; 830/875-9019; lulingcitymarket.com

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Sonny Bryan's, Dallas, TX

Credit: Photo: Jeff Hester via Flickr, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

No Central Texas ‘cue hound will admit that Dallas has decent barbecue, but the brisket, sausage, and pork ribs found at the diminutive original location of a small chain establishment have a deep smoky flavor, and tell tale smoke-ring of correctly done barbecue. Note to groups: seating, in antique schoolhouse desks around the perimeter of the small room, can be antisocial.

2202 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX; 214/357-7120; sonnybryans.com

13 of 25

14 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Memphis Style BBQ

Credit: Photo: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

The Memphis barbecue style is always pork with a sweet tomato-based sauce. The pulled pork sandwich is the top contender of the style, usually topped with coleslaw. We love Memphis masters A&R Bar-B-Que, Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, Interstate Barbecue, Cozy Corner, and Payne's BBQ.

14 of 25

15 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

A&R Bar-B-Que, Memphis, TN

Credit: Photo: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

A&R Bar-B-Que, a storefront a couple miles from Graceland, is the polar opposite of the total pit-immersion in Central Texas–it may just be the most sparkling joint in America. All it takes is a bite of the rib tips–smoky-moist, dry-rubbed, slicked with a tangy sauce–to know you've arrived at the heart and soul of Memphis 'cue. The ribs are textbook with a peppery exterior, but meaty and tender on the inside. And the sandwich, in true Memphis style, has a scoop of coleslaw on top of the pork. If your mouth isn't already watering, the perfect plate of half slab pork ribs, rib tips, and a chopped pork sandwich is sure to do the trick.

1802 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN; 901/774-7444; aandrbbq.com

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, Memphis, TN

Credit: Photo courtesy of Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Since 1948, this basement space crammed with knick knackery has been serving pork ribs dry-rubbed with an oregano and paprika-laden spice crust. ‘Cue cops note that Rendezvous’ ribs are not true barbecue, since they are grilled with direct heat over charcoal, but they’ve become a Memphis landmark and they are undeniably delicious. If you're feeling adventurous, with 24-hours notice, you can enjoy an iron skillet filled with 5-pounds of barbecue shrimp.

52 South Second Street, Memphis, TN; 901/523-2746; hogsfly.com

16 of 25

17 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Interstate Barbecue, Memphis, TN

Credit: Photo: Philip Fibiger via Flickr, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Rib dinners served with slices of white bread are a popular item at this pink-tiled ‘cue institution on the south side of town (where the Neely name first became associated with barbecue), but a large share of the folks who crowd the counter at lunch are after the “big as hell” smoked sausage, a super-bargain at $3. For something a little more out of the box, but equally delicious, try the Neely origina–Bar-B-Q spaghetti.

2265 South Third Street, Memphis, TN; 901/775-2304; interstatebarbecue.com

17 of 25

18 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Cozy Corner, Memphis, TN

Credit: Photo: Southern Foodways Alliance via Flickr, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

There may be a long wait, but a festive, anticipatory mood always prevails at Desiree Robinson’s establishment. We love the Memphis classics here—the ribs and rib tips are finger-licking fantastic—but the house specialty, smoked Cornish hen, is the main attraction: smoky and moist throughout, its skin crispy and lightly glazed with a tangy sauce.

745 North Parkway, Memphis, TN; 901/527-9158; cozycornerbbq.com

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Payne's BBQ, Memphis, TN

Credit: Photo: Southern Foodways Alliance via Flickr, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

The dimly lit Paynes may give the impression of being three decades past its prime, but the barbecue is right up there with A&R for our current favorite pork sandwich. Chopped pork with crispy barky bits is topped with a drippy scoop of mustardy coleslaw on top. It’s extravagantly messy—and scrumptious.

1762 Lamar Avenue, Memphis, TN; 901/272-1523

19 of 25

20 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Kansas City Style BBQ

Credit: Photo: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Kansas City barbecue is pork ribs and beef brisket served with fistfuls of piping-hot fries. The sauces are usually tomato-based with sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. It perfectly compliments one of the style's most popular selections, burnt ends. Our favorite Kansas City joints are Arthur Bryant's BBQ, Gates Bar-B-Q, Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue, and Woodyard Bar-B-Que.

20 of 25

21 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Arthur Bryant's BBQ, Kansas City, MO

Credit: Photo: Chris M. Rogers, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Arthur Bryant's BBQ in the 18th & Vine District is the place for K.C. 'cue. There's a seriousness of purpose to the pitmen and carvers, and their work is on display as they hustle between the pit and where you order. K.C. celebrates its sauce more than any other region, so if you don't want everything sluiced, specify each part of your order. The counterman assembles the meats on red butcher paper, slices of white bread on top, and rolls it into a bundle. By the time you leave, there won't be anything left except a swatch of butcher paper. Order the perfect plate: half slab (short end), burnt ends, ½ pound brisket, and fries.

1727 Brooklyn Avenue, Kansas City, MO; 816/231-1123; arthurbryantsbbq.com

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Gates Bar-B-Q, Kansas City, MO

Credit: Photo courtesy of Gates Bar-B-Q, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

Don’t be turned off by the fast-food trappings in this chain; the pits here are for real, and the stellar burnt ends and ribs, especially when spiked with spoonfuls of cumin-laced, almost marinara-like sauce, make it a must for anyone touring to the heart of K.C. ‘cue.

1221 Brooklyn Avenue, Kansas City, MO; 816/483-3880; gatesbbq.com

22 of 25

23 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, Kansas City, KS

This restaurant, opened by the members of a championship team on the barbecue circuit and housed in a gas-station convenience store, has some of K.C.’s best barbecue. Try the Z-Man Sandwich, with brisket, smoked provolone, and homemade onion rings on a kaiser bun. Take note: burnt ends aren’t always available, and they’re not to be missed, so call ahead.

3001 West 47th Avenue, Kansas City, KS; 912/722-3366; oklahomajoesbbq.com

23 of 25

24 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue, Kansas City, MO

Credit: Photo courtesy of Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

A chef-friend in Kansas City tipped us off to the superb brisket and ribs at “Jack Stack,” as well as to the extensive list of beers and wines. Because sometimes with your barbecue, you want a really good beer or…dare we say it…a nice glass of wine.

13441 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO; 816/942-9141; jackstackbbq.com

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Woodyard Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, KS

Credit: Photo courtesy of Woodyard Bar-B-Que, Article: Matt Lee and Ted Lee

“The Woodyard” began as a purveyor of hardwoods for barbecue restaurants and backyard pitmasters, and its ribs and brisket are—as might be expected—superb. Daily specials will keep you coming back, but our first love on the menu is a Woodyard original: Burnt End Chili.

3001 Merriam Lane, Kansas City, KS; 913/362-8000; woodyardbbq.com

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 25 Best Southern BBQ
2 of 25 Carolina Style BBQ
3 of 25 Wilber's, Goldsboro, NC
4 of 25 Lexington Barbecue No.1, Lexington, NC
5 of 25 Skylight Inn, Ayden, NC
6 of 25 Scott's Bar-B-Que, Hemingway, SC
7 of 25 Sweatman's Bar-B-Que, Holly Hill, SC
8 of 25 Texas Style BBQ
9 of 25 Smitty's Market, Lockhart, TX
10 of 25 Black's Barbecue, Lockhart, TX
11 of 25 Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, Austin, TX
12 of 25 City Market, Luling, TX
13 of 25 Sonny Bryan's, Dallas, TX
14 of 25 Memphis Style BBQ
15 of 25 A&R Bar-B-Que, Memphis, TN
16 of 25 Charlie Vergos Rendezvous, Memphis, TN
17 of 25 Interstate Barbecue, Memphis, TN
18 of 25 Cozy Corner, Memphis, TN
19 of 25 Payne's BBQ, Memphis, TN
20 of 25 Kansas City Style BBQ
21 of 25 Arthur Bryant's BBQ, Kansas City, MO
22 of 25 Gates Bar-B-Q, Kansas City, MO
23 of 25 Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, Kansas City, KS
24 of 25 Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue, Kansas City, MO
25 of 25 Woodyard Bar-B-Que, Kansas City, KS

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Southern Living

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Southern Living
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

View image

The South's Best BBQ Joints 2011
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.