Southern Barbecue Chains You Need To Try At Least Once

While it may evoke leisurely pastimes and a laidback culinary experience, barbecue is a very serious matter. That's especially true across the South, where regional styles have developed with delicate finesse and deep-rooted pride dating back generations to the very discovery of this country (via Smithsonian). 

Nowadays, the authentic stuff doesn't just have to come from a run-down shack with a wood pit in the ground. You can find decent barbecue all over the South – in mom and pop shops, fancy fork-and-knife steakhouses, fast-casual joints, food trucks, even drive-thrus. There is an endless supply of potential pitmasters out there, looking to show off their smoking skills and spread the gospel that is barbecue far and wide across the southern states and beyond. The age of the barbecue chain is arguably upon us. 

That's good news for the rest of us, who have a nearly unlimited spread of options when we need to satisfy our primal cravings for smoked meat drenched in spicy sauce. And if you don't know where to start, let Mashed be your guide. These are the southern barbecue chains you need to try at least once.

Florida may not be top of mind among southern barbecue standouts, but 4 Rivers Smokehouse may be on its way to changing that reputation. Founder John Rivers started out serving up barbecue out of his garage for schools, churches, and community organizations. After seeing that people loved his barbecue, Rivers opened his first restaurant in 2009. 

Since then, 4 Rivers has grown to 13 locations across Florida, garnering some serious attention along the way – Southern Living named it the South's best barbecue joint in 2020. Maybe it's because there is something for everyone to love here. They're smoking up every type of meat you might crave, from brisket to pork, sausage, chicken, turkey, and ribs. Beyond a classic barbecue platter with homestyle sides, there's also a menu of decadent signature creations. Things like the Six Shooter, "baked cheese grits piled high with pulled pork, Southern Coleslaw, pickles, jalapeños, and 4R Signature Sauce," or the Longhorn, "Chopped brisket, Texas sausage served on a toasted roll over smokehouse relish, topped with onion rings and melted provolone."

Once upon a time, a father and son from Birmingham, Alabama named Jim and Nick figured out that they could whip up mouthwatering barbecue together, and the pulled pork, rib, and brisket lovers in the South received yet another culinary gift. More than 35 years later, Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q has grown to nearly 40 locations in 7 states across the South, from Colorado to Tennessee to Florida. And the chain has reportedly announced plans to open up to 30 new restaurants over the next three years (via the Birmingham Business Journal).

Fans love their slow-smoked pulled pork, slathered in sauce, of course, and the barbecue chicken, which the pitmaster recommends with white barbecue sauce. And don't overlook the famous barbecue pork mac and cheese, or their famous house-made chili loaded with smoked brisket. Either way, you'll come for the meat, but chances are you'll stay for the absolutely crave-inducing so-called "world famous" cheese biscuits, which come with every meal at Jim 'N Nick's, and which the chain might be most famous for above all else (via Alabama.com). The Alabama Tourism Department even named the biscuits as one of the 100 dishes you need to eat before you die (via Alabama.com).

Another surefire staple if you're looking to try a taste of Memphis-style barbecue is Corky's Ribs & BBQ. You can find Corky's restaurants scattered all throughout Tennessee, as well as in Arkansas and Mississippi. The chain has been perfecting its hickory and charcoal-smoked ribs for more than 30 years, and they're serving up full slabs of them, family-style, plus a full menu of other barbecue favorites and sides. And Corky's claims that locals love this place so much, it's been voted the top BBQ joint in Memphis 22 times. 

While Corky's did have some expansion plans that didn't quite pan out a few years ago, the company did recently name a new CEO (via Commercial Appeal), so there's no telling what's in store for Corky's future. And if you don't live anywhere near a Corky's, but still want to get your Memphis barbecue fix, then you're in luck. Corky's sells and ships its baby back ribs via shopping network QVC.

If you haven't heard of Florida-based Smokey Bones yet, chances are you will soon. The chain is known for serving up cold drinks and good times in an atmosphere that's as comforting as the food. Smokey Bones currently has more than 60 locations across 16 states, and the company is moving forward with all kinds of expansion plans. 

But we don't just mean new restaurants. Smokey Bones opened its first ghost kitchen in 2021 (via FSR News). And it's also serving customers through its two exclusively virtual brands, the Wing Experience and Burger Experience (via Nation's Restaurant News). There's also talk of opening drive-thru locations. And Smokey Bones is even planning to expand its menu – which already features different prominent regional barbecue styles in America – to include new barbecue flavors inspired by international cuisines, like Thailand, China, Japan, and India (via FSR News). And while you're there, make sure not to miss out on Smokey Bones' happy hour specials and signature cocktails.

Sometimes great things can happen when you just give it the good old college try. Just look at Moe's Original BBQ. It was founded two decades ago by three friends who met at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and bonded over their shared love of more than just college football. The journey took the three founders to the mountains of Colorado after graduating, where the dream for Moe's really took shape, first as a catering company, then as a restaurant. The boys started out smoking their meat in the back of a double-wide trailer on the side of a river around 2001 – in a pit they built by hand with junkyard scraps. 

By 2005, they opened their first restaurant in Eagle, Colorado. And today Moe's has more than 50 locations in 14 states, catching the attention of not only fans around the country, but even landing a mention on "The Simpsons" back in 2015 (via Alabama.com). Moe's keeps the menu simple – serving up pulled pork, smoked chicken and turkey, and fried fish, plus a rotation of sides to choose from – but don't forget to check out their daily food and drink specials as well.

At this point, we're starting to see a clear connection between barbecue and football. The culinary custom goes hand in hand with tailgating traditions, and there are a growing number of barbecue restaurants tied to big names on the field: Pat James, Andy Nelson, Isaiah McKenzie, and of course, Billy Sims. 

Billy Sims BBQ may be one of the most famous athlete-owned restaurants brands. It was founded in 2004 by Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims, who rose to fame during a football career with the University of Oklahoma and then the NFL's Detroit Lions before retiring from the game and turning to his second passion, barbecue, into a career. Nearly 20 years later, there are more than 50 locations (mostly franchised) across six states. There's something for everyone on Billy Sims' wide-ranging menu of platters, sandwiches, and sides, but we recommend checking out the famous signature sandwiches – The Heisman, loaded up with bologna, hot links, and pulled pork or brisket, and The Triple 20, piled with pulled pork, secret sauce, melted cheese, and a heap of coleslaw.