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

3 minute read

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

TripAdvisor

“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

TripAdvisor

“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

TripAdvisor

“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

TripAdvisor

“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

TripAdvisor

“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

TripAdvisor

“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

Hogshead - Hog Dog
TripAdvisor

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

8. Buck’s Smokehouse – Destin, Florida

TripAdvisor

“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

TripAdvisor

“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

TripAdvisor

“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

BBQ Road Trip
Smoked pork hot link with collard greens and mac and cheese at Jim 'N Nicks Bar-B-Q in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Fried chicken at Husk in Charleston, S.C., named "Best New Restaurant in America" by Bon Appétit in 2011.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Catfish with a selection of sides (including large lima beans, fresh green beans, collard greens, boiled cabbage, fresh mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts) from the daily cafeteria menu at Niki's West in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Holeman & Finch Public House in Atlanta infamously serves only 24 burgers a night, at around 10 pm. Get there early; they almost always sell out.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
James Beard award-winning chef Sean Brock holding house-cured meat at McCrady's in Charleston, S.C.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Whole pig ready to be butchered at Husk in Charleston, S.C.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Smoked pork ribs with watermelon pickle at Cochon in New OrleansAndrew Hetherington
Menu display at Gus's Hot Dogs in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Hot dog on the griddle at Gus's in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
The finished product at Gus's in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
All 24 burgers on the griddle at the same time at Holeman & Finch Public House in Atlanta.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
House-cured meat at Star Provisions in Atlanta.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Bread for sandwiches and hamburgers at the soda fountain in Add Drug in Athens, Ga. The store is well known for the best-value lunch in town.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Crawfish boil on the banks of the Mississippi in New Orleans with chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski of Cochon restaurant. The crawfish are cooked with lemons, garlic, and salt, then tossed with Old Bay and Cajun spices before being dumped on a plastic table for eating.Andrew Hetherington
BBQ Road Trip
Lemon meringue pie at Niki's West in Birmingham, Ala.Andrew Hetherington

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