The Absolute Best Barbecue Restaurants In The US

There's no denying the fact that one of the most filling and satisfying meals out there is barbecue. As long as you aren't vegan or vegetarian, you can pretty much count on getting a wonderfully complete meal when you head to a barbecue joint. And, in the best places, those meals aren't the meat offerings (though that's typically the focus of the operation and rave reviews), but also the wealth of sides. From baked beans to creamed corn, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and more, most barbecue places have a great selection of hearty sides to fill out your plate of smoked, grilled, and barbecued meats. 

Whether you're a brisket fan, a pulled pork lover, or maybe tend to lean towards sausage, there's something out there for you. And if you happen to be planning a cross-country trip and want to know where to go next, or else could use a hint to find some excellent barbecue in your own state or region, you're in luck. Read on for the absolute best barbecue restaurants in the U.S.

One location that's widely known for its barbecue style is Memphis, Tennessee. Like so many other southern states, Tennessee barbecue is especially beloved by those who are from Tennessee, and of course, diners in Memphis are primed to pump it up. But if you're from out of town, finding the perfect example of Memphis barbecue can be daunting. If you've only got the capacity to check out one barbecue joint, then let it be Central BBQ.

The barbecue at Central BBQ is especially delicious, with tender meat, savory side dishes, and flavors so memorable you'll be thinking about it for days afterward. Reviews of Central BBQ speak for themselves. "Meat is so beautifully smoked, it has enough flavor without sauce," one reviewer wrote. "The pulled pork with the mustard sauce is magic! Mac and cheese, BBQ beans, delish!" another added. Clearly, the ribs, pulled pork, baked beans, and macaroni and cheese are what you should order at Central BBQ, so definitely try it out if you can.

Let's just get one thing straight: The state of Texas is one of the biggest barbecue states in America. And though it's offered at darn near every barbecue joint you could visit, smoked brisket is arguably what Texas barbecue is best known for, according to Epicurious. In Austin, Texas, there is one location known for its amazing brisket (and other meats, too). For its take on the classic smoked brisket, Franklin Barbecue is pretty legendary. It's such a big deal that you might have heard of it even if you're not from Texas.

Reviews of Franklin Barbecue agree with the hype. "Just perfect brisket. Just amazing smokiness, char and tenderness," one person wrote. "In the end, the brisket is the far and away star of the show. It is so ridiculously moist and flavorful, I'm sure it will never be matched. It's worth the whole trip," another added. 

But if, for some reason, you need another sort of barbecue meat, don't worry. You'll soon learn that the brisket isn't the only delicious offering you'll find at Franklin Barbecue. Reviewers also rave about the pulled pork at this joint, reserving special accolades for its perfect level of tenderness. All told, it sure seems like Franklin Barbecue is famous for a reason, so definitely check it out when you're in Austin.

Harp Barbecue in Overland Park, Kansas, is certainly the sort of barbecue joint that can surprise you in more ways than one. Basically, this is a truly authentic barbecue experience, with a down-home flair and some incredible meats in the lineup.

If you're still a bit unsure about heading on over, check out the reviews of Harp Barbecue and you'll be a convert soon enough. Just be forewarned that, because the restaurant is so popular, you'll likely be waiting in a pretty long line to get your food. Still, it's sure to be worth it. "If you're a brisket lover, this is your place! They have some of the best brisket in town. My other two favorite items were the jalapeño sausage and the cheesy corn," one reviewer stated. 

Basically, Harp Barbecue is the barbecue to beat in Overland Park, Kansas. You can pretty much guarantee you'll get full and satisfied when you dine there.

When you think of good barbecue, you probably think of southern states, a bunch of big pits filled with wood and meat smoking all day long, and an assortment of side dishes that just scream "comfort food." You probably don't think of New York City, that's for sure. But don't let the Big Apple fool you. Amongst the many, many wonderful foods that can be had in New York City, there's also some amazing barbecue. To that end, Hometown Bar-B-Que in Brooklyn, New York, might just convince you with its southern-style barbecue.

Reviews of Hometown Bar-B-Que certainly shore up that reputation. Of the brisket, one reviewer wrote, "If there was one reason to come here, it's this (and the cornbread). Love the fatty bits, so tender and lovingly smoked. Goes perfectly with the bbq and hot sauce, both a bit sweet, flavorful, nothing like the typical bottled versions." If you're worried you won't be able to find good barbecue in New York City, worry not. Hometown Bar-B-Que has you covered.

While Florida is definitely a southern state, it's not exactly the kind of folksy southern state that pop culture stereotypes have engrained into many peoples' minds. Though it may or may not be a rightful reputation, the truth is that Florida isn't often known for the same sort of hospitality, charm, and comfort food as Georgia, Alabama, and Texas are. That said, it's still home to excellent barbecue in the form of 4 Rivers Smokehouse at multiple locations. The food is absolutely delicious, with traditional barbecue offerings that will leave you utterly satisfied.

One review of 4 Rivers Smokehouse will convince you to stop in the next time you're in Winter Park. "Simply everything is amazing!!!" it raves. "Everything from pork to brisket to chicken to all of the sides! Meats are always tender, well-seasoned, with the right kick of smoke [...] Even the sauces are pleasantly surprising!"

If you ask most people, the sorts of barbecue joints that are worth their weight in gold are the ones that are most casual. These are the places where you order at the counter, get your meat by the pound, and wipe your face with paper towels instead of some highfalutin' cloth napkins. But that doesn't mean every barbecue spot has to be utterly grubby. Herman's Ribhouse in Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a sit-down restaurant with more than just BBQ on the menu, so you might not expect it to be on this list. But because of one very special menu item, it more than deserves a spot.

As its name would imply, the ribs at Herman's Ribhouse are simply out of this world. Take a look at these reviews, if you need some convincing. "Certainly a must when visiting Fayetteville ... Ribs are the bomb !!! They prepare the Prime Rib different than anyone else ( I won't give away their secret ) and its phenomenal !!" one diner wrote. So, while, Herman's Ribhouse might not be your standard BBQ joint, don't let that turn you away from its clearly delicious barbecue offerings.

Skylight Inn BBQ in Ayden, North Carolina is, to the minds of many of its devoted fans, a stupendously good North Carolina barbecue joint. When it comes to regional styles, North Carolina is known for having a typically acidic vinegar-based barbecue sauce served with its meat, and that's just what Skylight Inn BBQ offers up alongside its savory selection. If you're looking for the epitome of North Carolina barbeque, then this might just be it.

A review of the Skylight Inn mentions that not only is the meat on point, but so are the sides. "The coleslaw is light and a little sweet," they said. And don't be afraid to let some of the menu items on your plate touch each other, either. "Eat it with the pork — it's a great combo. We don't usually love potato salad, but we really enjoyed their mustard base. Like others have said, the cornbread is very dense and we really liked the flavor." 

When you think of Missouri barbecue, you might think of the style that's now enshrined in culinary lore as Kansas City barbecue. But there's one St. Louis joint that really knows what it's doing when it comes to delicious smoked meats, savory sides, and a great dining experience. That would be one Bogart's Smokehouse, a pretty popular joint that should be on your must-dine list the next time you visit the Gateway to the West.

Reviews of Bogart's Smokehouse prove that it might just be the best barbecue joint in St. Louis, Missouri. "Delicious ribs with yummy sauce served on the side. The ribs were tender, flavorful, and had great bark on the outside," one person wrote of their experience at Bogart's. And the sides are especially good, which is pretty impressive considering the meats that they have to go up against. "I don't usually even like potato salad or baked beans but I would go here just to eat them w/o the meat they are that good!" another added. 

It's no secret that just about every southern state has some excellent barbecue restaurants to choose from, not to mention a variety of different regional styles. And, naturally enough, Alabama is no exception. Specifically, one Alabama barbecue establishment is dishing up some pretty incredible eats. Dreamland BBQ, based in Tuscaloosa with multiple other locations, has everything you would want to eat, as well as some unique menu items like homemade potato chips that are perfect on the side of a savory, sauce-heavy barbecue sandwich.

Dreamland BBQ might really be what dreams are made of, as the reviews of its southside Birmingham location state. "Fresh made potato chips were as good as you can get. The rib sandwich was great," one stated. "We enjoyed the fried okra appetizer, my husband and I had the BBQ pork sandwiches, and my kids ordered the ribs with sauce. It was all delicious!" another said. For a true Alabama barbecue experience, it's clear that Dreamland is where it's at.

B.T.'s Smokehouse in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, offers a ton of different meats and side dishes, some of which you might not have ever associated with a barbecue restaurant before. And because B.T.'s Smokehouse isn't in the south, you might be worried that the meat isn't as good as you might find in well-known barbecue stalwarts like Texas, Kansas, or other states. Fortunately for travelers and anyone living on the east coast, that couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, you can travel to Massachusetts and still get some genuinely jaw-dropping barbecue.

Reviews of B.T.'s Smokehouse rave about the flavors in the meat and sides from the barbecue restaurant. "Really good real southern bbq. The best I've had this side of Tennessee! Skip the beans and get the onion rings! Lots of sauces to choose from but good even without sauce!" one person wrote. B.T.'s Smokehouse truly might be the best barbecue in Massachusetts, so if you find yourself on the east coast in need of some delicious barbecue, check it out.

Now, if you're traveling around in the Mount Rushmore State, you may not expect to find an astonishingly good barbecue place waiting for you. But, thankfully, you'd be very, very wrong. JR's Rhodehouse BBQ PIT in Summerset, South Dakota will truly shock you with how authentic, flavorful, and ultimately satisfying its offerings are. The menu, with its Texas-style offerings, is delightfully expansive. What's more, fans will tell you that just about everything on it is perfect. It's clear that JR's Rhodehouse BBQ PIT can prove even the biggest naysayers wrong. 

And reviews agree. "The brisket was perfect Texas style as it should be. No need to cover it up with sauce. The pulled pork was excellent and so were the sides," one review stated. Another added that "The turkey was some of the best smoked turkey we have ever had, the Brisket was very very good and the ribs were just right." 

Head to West Columbia, South Carolina, and you'll find one of the hottest barbecue joints in America: City Limits Barbeque. Originally started as a food truck in 2016, City Limits' brick-and-mortar location was opened by pitmaster Robbie Robinson in 2023. Since then, the accolades have been pouring in. It was named one of the top 50 restaurants in America by The New York Times in 2024, and the Best BBQ in the South by Southern Living in 2025. To top it all off, Robinson was a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast in both 2024 and 2025.

All of that means high demand for something that's in very short supply. According to its website, City Limits Barbeque is only open at lunchtime on weekends, for a total of nine hours a week or less. Guests line up early, sometimes waiting up to an hour for a taste of Robinson's signature brisket, pulled pork, or whole hog pork steaks — and don't sleep on the side dishes. "The collards are like my mama used to make, only 10x better (sorry, Mama)", wrote one reviewer on Yelp. "The green beans are cooked underneath the hog and have all that smoky pork goodness."

At its core, barbecue is the food of the people. When it comes to ranking barbecue restaurants, the opinions of the regular folk who eat there carry a special weight. It's extra special, then, that Wright's Barbecue in Johnson, Arkansas, was named the best barbecue restaurant in the U.S. by Yelp in 2024, because that distinction came straight from the customers themselves. But that's not to say that Wright's Barbecue is short on other accolades. In 2024, for instance, it was named the best barbecue restaurant in Arkansas by Southern Living. What's more, owner Jordan Wright was a 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best Chef: South. 

All of that is nice, of course, but everything comes down to the stellar meat offerings. Wright's Barbecue offers everything from brisket to ribs to smoked turkey by the pound, so you can fill up to your stomach's limit. Throwing a bash or planning a tailgate? At Wright's, you can pick up "Pitmaster Packs" that feed four to 14 people; each includes multiple meats, sides, sauces, and desserts. And according to the fans, this is food worth traveling for. 

"Oh. My. Goodness. If you do anything in this city, it has to be eating here," wrote one devotee on Yelp. "I'm only halfway through my meal and already planning the next time I'll be back. I've never had barbecue like this before. It's unreal how delicious it is."

The story of CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, Texas, is a true American Dream moment. Will Buckman was working as an AT&T lineman when he began smoking meat on the side as a hobby. After co-workers got a taste, they began asking him to make dishes for events. Things snowballed to the point where he decided to give professional barbecue a whirl — and to say it was a success is to undersell Buckman's achievements: CorkScrew BBQ is now one of only six barbecue restaurants in the world to have earned a Michelin star. (That's impressive once you know what it takes to earn a Michelin star.)

Everyday patrons love it as much as the critics do, with CorkScrew being named the second best barbecue restaurant in America by Yelp in 2024. Brisket, turkey, ribs, pulled pork, and sausage — in flavors like jalapeño and garlic — are all sold by the pound or half pound (and there's a quarter pound option available on the kids' menu).

Trying to figure out which dish to order can be daunting. Fortunately, patrons have one clear suggestion for you. "My mouth is literally salivating just thinking about the amazing meal we had here! Honey, I got the brisket with all the fat to go and instantly wished I had dined in so I could order more," one fan wrote on Yelp. "Go. Get. The. Brisket."

Seldom does a new chef arrive on the culinary scene with a more explosive debut than Chuck Charnichart made in the spring of 2023. Fresh out of college, Charnichart opened Barbs B Q in Lockhart, Texas — and a year later, Barbs B Q was nominated for the James Beard Best New Restaurant Award. Bon Appetit named it one of the top 20 best new restaurants of the year, and gave Charnichart the award for Chef of the Moment. And in 2025, the Michelin Guide named Charnichart the Most Promising New Chef in Texas.

Charnichart offers up Texas barbecue with a Mexican twist, which is seen in side dishes like green spaghetti in poblano sauce, and charro beans with queso fresco. Traditional barbecue offerings like brisket are, of course, available, but it's menu items like the Molotov Pork Ribs that showcase a unique talent. Demand for that talent is high, with some patrons reporting they had to wait for over an hour in line for a taste. Once you get your food, though, you won't be disappointed. 

"The turkey may have been the best smoked turkey I've ever had and I could have eaten a dozen of the chicken thigh special," wrote a happy customer on Yelp. "We definitely had us a 5 star BBQ meal."

Lem's Bar-B-Q is an Illinois institution, opened way back in 1954. Lem's has been serving its secret sauce to generations of Chicago families. In honor of this legacy, it was recognized by the James Beard Foundation, which awarded Lem's the title of America's Classics: Great Lakes in 2025.

Despite its recent recognition, Lem's isn't resting on its laurels. Instead, its flavors are as relevant as ever. In the vintage, drive-in style food stand that serves as the restaurant, patrons can get ribs, fried chicken, and sausage links by the literal bucketful. Want to replicate the Lem's experience at home? You can take away with you a gallon jug of its signature barbecue sauce. Just be warned: if you order takeout, make sure you practice safe driving and don't get too distracted by the delicious smells.

"These juicy never dry rib Tips were something made out of dreams," one Yelp reviewer wrote. "I loved every moment of this car meal because it never made it home."

There are few barbecue joints in the world as iconic as Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que in Kansas City, Kansas. It was opened by Jeff and Joy Stehney (and originally called Oklahoma Joe's, believe it or not) in a gas station in 1996. Fast forward three decades, and there are now multiple Joe's locations in Kansas. But you can still stop by the original gas station to get a taste of the Kansas City-style barbecue that earned the Stehneys more than 20 Grand Championship awards on the competitive barbecue circuit.

Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que was named one of the 13 Places to Eat Before You Die by the late Anthony Bourdain, and its menu still spotlights Bourdain's personal favorite: burnt ends. The restaurant's specialty, though, is the pulled pork that you can get on its own, on a sandwich, or as part of a dinner plate.

To hear patrons tell it, there's no bad option on the menu. "Pulled pork? Amazeballs," wrote one diner on Yelp. "Brisket? Fall apart in your face hole. Sauce? Finger licking good. Burnt ends? Best in KC." Amazeballs, indeed.

Where should you go if you want to experience the best Kansas City barbecue in the country? You might guess Kansas City, as that seems reasonable. But according to readers of USA Today, the actual answer is someplace much less obvious: Napa, California. That's where you'll find Stateline Road Smokehouse, the brainchild of acclaimed chef Daryl Bell.

To be fair, Bell is a Kansas City native. But his pedigree is based on more than just geography. He cut his teeth working at a Michelin-starred restaurant under Thomas Keller, winner of the James Beard Best Chef in America award. Those high culinary standards were seen immediately when Bell opened Stateline Road Smokehouse at the end of 2024 — and just a few months later, Bell himself was nominated for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: California.

Browse the menu at Stateline Road Smokehouse and you'll see the term "BBQ+", coined by Bell to describe he innovative and fun twists he puts on his classic KC-style barbecue offerings. Beyond the usual burnt ends, brisket, pulled pork, and ribs, you'll find some things you aren't expecting, like the restaurant's signature cherry wood-smoked maitake salad. As one Yelper put it, "This is hands down the best barbecue I've ever had! The chef's passion for flavor is evident in every dish."

Originally opened as a food truck in 2017, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue in Austin, Texas, made the leap to brick-and-mortar in 2024 — and it's safe to say that move has been a success. LeRoy and Lewis was named one of the top five barbecue restaurants in the South by Southern Living in 2026, and it was also one of the only barbecue joints in the world to earn a Michelin star. 

What's more, owners Evan LeRoy and Sawyer Lewis are doing it their own way. In a state where the only thing more important than football is barbecue, the duo have daringly deviated from old-school Texas barbecue tradition to offer unique standouts like confit beef cheeks, chicken fried beets, and cauliflower burnt ends.

"LeRoy and Lewis is still the best BBQ in Texas and in the world," wrote one football enthusiast on Yelp. "I can't think of anything better that's firing on all cylinders and playing all sides of the ball perfectly. Offense (meats), defense (sides), and special teams (dessert and drinks) are all hitting on a level never done before."

Lewis Barbecue was founded in Charleston, South Carolina, by pitmaster John Lewis in 2016. Since then, Lewis has expanded to add locations in Greenville, South Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia. But it's the original outpost that earned a coveted Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide, landed on TripAdvisor's list of the best hidden gem restaurants in America, and nabbed a top 10 spot in Southern Living's chronicle of the best barbecue restaurants in the South.

Lewis Barbecue is one of the centerpieces of Charleston's thriving and diverse barbecue scene. It offers up traditional, Texas-style barbecue, where the focus isn't on the latest innovations as much as it's on perfection. The restaurant's array of classic meats are fresh cut for you in whatever amount you want, while you watch. And don't sleep on the desserts — if you have room left over, which you probably won't.

"The brisket and ribs were unbelievable!" one Yelp reviewer gushed. "Five stars for the food alone is not nearly sufficient to describe the quality."

Sam Jones is barbecue royalty. As the grandson of Pete Jones, the founder of the legendary Skylight Inn BBQ, Sam could have been content with running the family business. Instead, in 2015, he branched out to open his own restaurant, Sam Jones BBQ, in Winterville, North Carolina.

Sam Jones BBQ celebrates the whole hog style of Carolina barbecue. Its flavors and attention to detail landed the pitmaster a 2018 James Beard nomination for Best Chef: Southeast, and a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand certification, plus an induction into the North Carolina Bar-B-Q Hall of Fame. And while the menu at Sam Jones BBQ spotlights the restaurant's signature slow-smoked pork, offering more than one way to enjoy it, it also includes alternatives such as catfish, turkey, and chicken that you won't want to miss.

"While trying to find the correct words to describe this place of damn near perfectness I decided to keep it simple," wrote one fan on Yelp. "This place is slap yo momma good! The chicken is hands down some of the best ever."

One of the barbecue capitals of the U.S. is Memphis, originator of one of America's regional barbecue styles. Memphis-style barbecue is unique for the way it emphasizes pork over beef, and how it incorporates both sauces and the city's signature dry rub. The choice to use dry rub versus marinade was reportedly pioneered in the late 1950s by Charlie Vergos, owner of the Rendezvous, where top-notch barbecue is still being served by Vergos' descendants today.

Voted the best barbecue in Tennessee by the readers of Southern Living magazine, Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous has an entire menu section devoted just to ribs, which the truly hungry can order by the slab. Not able to make it to Memphis? No problem. Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous offers delivery by overnight mail. Place your order for a massive box of meat, and get a jar of the restaurant's famous seasoning.

"The BEST ribs I have EVER had in my life," wrote one enthusiastic Yelper. "Don't play with me. I dream about these on the regular."

Considered by some to be the best barbecue you can find in Georgia, Heirloom Market Barbecue is physically located in Atlanta. Spiritually, though, it can be found at the intersection of classic Southern barbecue and Korean barbecue. Its heady mix of flavors and techniques has made Heirloom Market Barbecue a favorite among both local diners and industry critics, as evidenced by the fact that the restaurant has earned a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide.

The marriage of flavors on the menu comes from another wildly successful marriage: that of Korean chef Jiyeon Lee and Tennessee pitmaster Cody Taylor. Together, they have created a menu of Korean street food with a Southern barbecue twist. Standouts include the spicy Korean pork, sweet and spicy tofu, kimchi slaw, Korean sweet potato chips, and collard greens in miso broth. And the barbecue sauce? That's made with gochujang chili paste.

"Heirloom is hands down some of the best barbecue I have ever had," gushed one satiated customer on Yelp. "The sides are THE TOP. It doesn't get any better than the greens and the slaw. Wow!"

Austin has a long history of doing things a little bit differently than the rest of Texas. Case in point: KG BBQ, which takes your traditional Texas barbecue and reinterprets it through an Egyptian lens. That's the bold mission of KG BBQ pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh, whose pioneering flavors have brought in numerous accolades. Nominated for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2023, El-Ghayesh won the StarChefs Rising Star award that year. Meanwhile, KG BBQ as a whole took home the top prize at the 2025 FUME barbecue festival, landed a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, and was named one of the best barbecue joints in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine.

Want to try za'atar and pomegranate glazed pork ribs, or smoked kofta? How about lamb shoulder enhanced with the flavors of sumac and cinnamon? The KG BBQ menu has all of this and more, offering a unique barbecue experience that fits right in with Austin's wild vibe.

"The Egyptian twist on Texas BBQ is amazing and makes everything feel unique and exciting," one Yelp reviewer wrote. "The flavors are bold, smoky, and perfectly spiced, and every bite feels thoughtful and different in the best way."

Blood Bros. BBQ began as the shared dream of three childhood friends. It started in 2013 as a popup experience, and five years later, it opened as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Bellaire, Texas. Immediately, Blood Bros. BBQ became one of the most popular and acclaimed barbecue restaurants anywhere. It was named one of the Top 50 restaurants in America by The New York Times in 2021, and it earned a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand designation. Meanwhile, its pitmaster, Quy Hoang, was singled out with a nomination for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas in 2022.

At Blood Bros. BBQ, you can expect to find Texas barbecue set on its head, as Hoang and friends infuse dishes with Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese influences. For instance, the Happy "Nhau"-er menu includes items like Char Siu Pork Belly Fried Bao Buns, Smoked Porkstrami Eggrolls, and Tater Totoyaki, a Japanese spin on tater tots. It all adds up to a unique dining experience you won't soon forget.

"I have no words except you need to go try this place out for yourself and see why I am so speechless. First off, the ribs are to die for," wrote one meat disciple on Yelp. "I really need you to stop reading and get a pound of ribs for yourself cause I promise you that you are gonna eat the whole pound and not want to share any."