A Texas food expert has revealed the best barbecue restaurants in the country, and the number one spot isn’t in the Lone Star State.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen a proliferation of barbecue joints across the United States, and while some places specialize in Carolina whole hogs, Kansas City burnt ends, or Memphis dry-aged ribs, a significant majority don’t open their doors without offering Texas barbecue.
Daniel Vaughn, reporter for Texas Monthly, has been traveling for a year in search of the best Texas-style barbecue spots outside of the Lone Star State itself.
After receiving the green light from his editors, Vaughn set out to prove his hypothesis that American barbecue had become synonymous with Texas barbecue.
The foodie ate at 149 locations in 37 states, and while travel-worthy barbecue hasn’t made it to every state, Vaughn has narrowed the list down to the top 53 spots, focusing solely on 47 states in the continental U.S., excluding Texas.
A Texas food expert has revealed the best barbecue restaurants in the country, and the number one pick isn’t in the Lone Star State
Texas Monthly reporter Daniel Vaughn has been traveling for a year in search of the best Texas-style barbecue spots outside of the Lone Star State itself.
1. Palmira Barbecue in South Carolina
Hector Garate’s Palmira Barbecue offers a unique combination of flavors from South Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rico. Enjoy whole hog barbacoa, beef cheeks, ribs, beef brisket, and house-made sausages. Don’t miss the guava cheesecake, and consider a digestive supplement like Underberg.
2. Top-notch BBQ in North Carolina
Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, North Carolina offers high-quality barbecue with a variety of proteins, including pork ribs, sausage, beef ribs, and brisket.
Enjoy Puerto Rican-inspired sides like barbacoa rice and lechón, and don’t miss the Texan cobbler.
3. Owens & Hull in Georgia
Owens & Hull in Atlanta offers high-quality barbecue, including prime beef brisket, smoked turkey, and a variety of sausages. Enjoy sides like conch and cheese and Cajun rice.
4. Moo’s Craft Barbecue in California
Moo’s Craft Barbecue in California offers exceptional Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, sausage, ribs, and burnt ends of pork belly. Try the smoked brisket chili burger.
5. Traditional barbecue in California
Heritage Barbecue in California offers high-quality Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, pork ribs and smoked sausages. Try specialty dishes like birria tacos and pastrami Reuben.
6. Southern Junction in New York
Southern Junction in Buffalo offers a unique fusion of Indian and Texas flavors. Enjoy brisket biryani, barbecue foldie, and smoked chicken.
Don’t miss the cornbread with honey and cardamom butter and the banana pudding.
Hector Garate’s Palmira Barbecue offers a unique combination of flavors from South Carolina, Texas and Puerto Rico and is Vaughn’s number one pick on the list.
7. BBQ in Pica Rica, Utah
Pica Rica BBQ in St. George offers homemade tortillas, tacos, and a chopped brisket torta. Enjoy beef sausage, smoked chicken, and delicious desserts like tres leches cake and smoked peach and blueberry pie.
8. Jon G’s Barbecue in North Carolina
Jon G’s in North Carolina offers exceptional beef brisket, smoked turkey, and burnt bacon ends. Enjoy sides like beef brisket fried rice and sweet potato salad.
9. Edge Craft Barbecue in Oklahoma
Edge Craft Barbecue in Oklahoma offers high-quality, homemade sausages and sides like collard greens, brussels sprouts, and red beans and rice. Enjoy brisket and smoked chicken.
10. Nebraska Golden Hour BBQ
Golden Hour Barbecue in Nebraska offers exceptional brisket, sausage, and pulled pork. This classic hometown joint is housed in a historic building and uses Texas oak for its smoker.
