These Are the Best Places in America to Eat Barbecue This Summer

If you’re planning a road trip this summer, we recommend structuring it around food. Specifically, barbecue food. Because when it’s hot out, you deserve to eat a bunch of meats and complementary side dishes.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the delicious barbecue options across the country, allow TripAdvisor to help. The travel site rounded up millions of reviews to determine the absolute best spots for BBQ.

Here are the site’s top 10 BBQ joints, along with some comments from TripAdvisor reviewers and pictures of the best dishes.

1. Joe’s BBQ – Blue Ridge, Georgia

“The pork and ribs are the standouts. Both were tender and packed with flavor, and smoked perfectly.”

2. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que – Kansas City, Kansas

“Don’t mind the line; it’s so worth the wait. I can’t stop thinking about the simple unadulterated pulled pork.”

3. Bogart’s Smokehouse – Saint Louis, Missouri

“The food is tender, juicy and has just the right amount of smoke in each bite. My favorites are the ribs, brisket and burnt ends.”

4. Reuben’s Smokehouse – Fort Myers, Florida

“The ribs have smokiness in every bite and the bacon wrapped meatloaf was cooked to perfection, not to mention the price is so right and leaves you feeling satisfied.”

5. Andy Nelson’s Southern Pit BBQ – Cockeysville, Maryland

“The best barbecue to be found in the Baltimore area and beyond! Wonderful food served with authentic southern style hospitality.”

6. Captain’s BBQ – Palm Coast, Florida

“The meat was great, but they flat out know how to cook the sides as well. Fabulous baked beans, collards and coleslaw.”

7. HogsHead Café – Richmond, Virginia

“The barbecue ribs melt in your mouth and the pulled chicken was just as good.”

8. Buck’s Smokehouse – Destin, Florida

“The pork ribs and brisket were some of the best I’ve ever had! Great flavor and the meat was extremely tender.”

9. Franklin Barbecue – Austin, Texas

“The wait is worth the best brisket and ribs you will ever have; they just melt in your mouth. It’s enough to make you go to the back of the line and start over.”

10. Pappy’s Smokehouse – Saint Louis, Missouri

“The best ribs I’ve ever had! Beef brisket that has such good flavor it doesn’t even need sauce, but don’t skip the sauce – it’s great too.”

See 15 Mouthwatering BBQ Photos