2024 Best Barbecue Restaurants in the U.S.A.

Pitmasters pile wood-smoked meats onto slices of white bread painted with sauce at Arthur Bryant's Barbeque in Kansas City. All the bases are covered when it comes to traditional sides: Creamy coleslaw made from finely shredded cabbage, meaty beans and fresh-cut, peel-on french fries. See More

In 1925, Bob Gibson nailed oak planks to a large sycamore in his backyard and started cooking barbecue. Later generations of the family continue delighting diners at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama. Part of the fun is saucing the meat as you like from the array offered. White sauce flecked with pepper, first made here, was designed for chicken, but it's tasty on pork, too. See More

Locals and visitors alike flock to Bounty Hunter Wine Bar & Smokin' BBQ in downtown Napa. Dig into St. Louis-style smoked pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket, coleslaw and more, and make sure to sample the three tasty homemade sauces. See More

Owned and operated by the family of Charlie Vergos since the 1940s, this unique Memphis joint is best known for its dry-rubbed pork ribs. Charcoal-broiled lamb riblets and barbecue chopped chicken are always good choices as well. The restaurant's special seasoning and sauces can also be purchased online. See More

Texas natives Jonathan and Justin Fox, identical twins, top Atlanta's leaders in the barbecue genre at Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q. With a moderately spicy rub, St. Louis-style ribs have the slightly pink color at the bone — the so-called "smoke ring" — that implies their being cooked over wood. See More

At Franklin Barbecue in Austin, brisket is slow-cooked for a full 18 hours at a very low temperature. The result is seemingly impossible tenderness. Long lines are an everyday occurrence, and if you're not queued up early, odds are that the food will be sold out before you order. See More

Meat is expertly done at Hometown Bar-B-Que in Brooklyn, New York. Beef rib is a tender specimen, the cracked peppercorn exterior adding extra flavor. Follow it up with the ultra-tasty brisket. Sides include pinto beans and Texas-style queso macaroni and cheese. See More

Patience is a virtue at Little Miss BBQ, as customers jostle politely among the crowds at this tiny Texas-style 'cue joint in Phoenix. You'll find brisket, house-made sausage, pork ribs, pulled pork and turkey breast, along with sides of ranch-style beans, grits, potato salad and coleslaw. See More

Maple Block Meat Company in Culver City pays homage to the traditions of Texas barbecue. The menu showcases carnivorous classics such as brisket and pork spare ribs as well as whole smoked chicken and house-made smoked sausages. See More

The scents emanating from Smoque BBQ's open kitchen immediately clue you in to the appeal of this saucy Chicago spot. Eating the pulled pork sandwich is a satisfying experience, but it's rivaled by bites of crisp-skinned chicken and dry rub-slathered baby-backs. See More