Barbecue

And now a word about barbecue.

As the “The BBQ Song” by Rhett and Link suggests, “Barbecue is not a verb. Barbecue is not a grill. Barbecue is meat prepared in a very special way.” I couldn’t agree more!

As we’ve travelled through the states, we’ve sampled barbecue all over. Everyone has their own style and each spot has its own star. So, it's hard to pick favorites!

Here are a few of our most notable barbecue spots in the US:

North Carolina

Home to various styles from Whole Hog on the coast to pork shoulders in the West, North Carolina offers the best of pork barbecue.

Gary's BBQ - China Grove, NC

Gary's front door

Gary’s BBQ has some of the best chopped pork, or “Piedmont-style”, I’ve had. Sadly, we didn’t get to have it on our last trip through the South, since their annual vacation week coincided with ours. I’d grown up coming to Gary’s, so I am partial to their vinegar-pepper sauce and mounds of chopped pork that has a chance to shine with such a simple concoction. They do offer other more traditional sweet, smoky tomato barbecue sauces and the South Carolina golden mustard sauce, and either red or white slaws. I’m partial to the red slaw with Gary’s chopped pork and vinegar sauce.

Gary's BBQ sign

Yet you can’t beat good North Carolina white slaw either! It goes well on Gary’s foot-long hot dog all the way. Tons of nostalgic decor to admire as you chomp down on their tasty fries, hush puppies, and sip on Cheerwine, the local soda. "It's full of good cheer!"

Cheerwine mural in nearby Salisbury, NC

Lexington #1 - Lexington, NC

No doubt a popular spot, "The Honeymonk was packed when we visited, but don’t be fooled. Due to the limited menu and clockwork tradition, you can be fed and soda’d within 20 minutes tops. Fast food, indeed!

"Honeymonk" menu

As a fan of Western-style NC barbecue, I am a huge fan of red slaw. That’s what makes Lexington #1’s sandwich work for me.

NC-style red slaw at Lexington #1

Lexington #1 Barbecue sandwich minus one bite

Pedalin’ Pig - Boone, NC

After winding our way down the Blue Ridge Parkway , we stopped in Boone for their High Country take on Western NC-style BBQ.

Our table destroyed a side order of okra, which quickly arrived on our table after super attentive service. I found their sweet tea was some of the best we had during this trip through the South.

BBQ plates and an empty basket where fried okra used to be

Pedalin' Pig's ribs and tasty pulled pork came our way next. They had all sorts of regional sauces to drizzle over the meat, if you desired.

A great pit stop on your next trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Texas

Beef is king in Texas. Find brisket and meats smoked to perfection in the Lonestar state!

Franklin's - Austin, TX

I had noted Austin's own Franklin’s barbecue on our itinerary during our "Haslem Escapade" excursion, but the timing didn’t work out due to their popularity and limited hours. Hence, heading over to Louie Mueller’s in nearby Taylor (as listed below). Franklin’s has award winning brisket and other smoked meats available on Goldbelly! We love his PBS show “BBQ with Franklin”. His brisket is said to be devine as seen in one of my favorite movies "Chef".

Louie Mueller - Taylor, TX

I must make a shout out to Louie Mueller in TX for the best brisket. Nothing was bad here, and the ambiance is “Central Texas ambiance”. The sweet tea will cool you down and the meat will fill your tummy on your way through this Texas star !

Texas sliced brisket sandwich

Their ribs were so good, we considered going back to get an extra order “to go”. However, they were closing up for the day, so we moved on down the road.

Central Texas Barbecue Tray

Louie Mueller's James Beard Award

Buc-ee's - Texas-based Gas Station Chain

Buc-ee's Brisket sandwich is pretty decent. Especially given its sliced brisket from a gas station! From now on, every time I’m in a Buc-ee's, I’m going to grab one of these sandwiches from the hot station, and you should, too!

Look for the Texas Round Up station at Buc-ees

Tennessee

Memphis’s dry rub ribs in the West to Whole Hog low and slow pig to the East, Tennessee has volunteered your taste buds for it all.

Memphis-style Ribs

On one of our trips, we made it through Memphis, TN. Yet, the timing did not work out for authentic Memphis barbecue including their dry-rubbed ribs. More about the history of Memphis's-style evolution here.

Pyramid in Memphis on the banks of Mississippi River

I had noted A&R Barbecue and Interstate Barbecue on our itinerary. Yet we ended up having a few Krystals , another Tennessee delicacy, after our arrival after a long drive after sampling Dreamland’s ribs in Alabama earlier that day.

We stayed near Marlowe’s as seen on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”. Their iconic pig's smile should be enough to convince you to try their pork.

Marlowe's pink pig

Martin’s - Spring Hill, TN

Martin's Whole Hog barbecue is highly recommended if you’re outside Nashville, TN. Their pulled pork proved moist and delicious after their renowned low and slow process. The ribs are delectable, packed with flavor, and not dry. You don’t even need sauce!

Martin's barbecue tray with their dry-rubbed ribs, pulled pork and sides

Highly recommend grabbing a cold bottled soda from their cooler and their homemade chips.

Martin's decor

Missouri

Missouri is home to the BBQ delicacy: burnt ends, originating from the "burnt ends" of beef brisket. The Kansas City area is a great place to sample these taste bites!

LCs - Kansas City, MO

Back in the day, I drove through Kansas City, MO on a road trip and stopped at LCs. All burnt ends are in comparison to LCs. These are top notch!

They had brisket that was saucy, but I have no complaints!

LC's Brisket

Stop by this underrated spot if you’re passing through the “Gateway to the West”.

Gateway Arch

Kansas

Kansas is home to hearty cheesy corn and beef burnt ends. You can’t go wrong with Kansas barbecue.

Jack Stack - Overland Park, KS

Fioretta’s Jack Stack Barbecue has one of the best pieces of meat in a barbecue restaurant that I’ve ever tasted: the crown prime beef rib. Overland Park, KS has the feel of an upscale barbecue spot. However, it’s well worth a stop if you’re on your way through the Sunflower state for this delectable cut of meat.

Every few seasons, we order Jack Stack’s “Poor Russ” mix, burnt ends, and brisket via their online shop for delivery. They also ship the crown prime beef rib! However, I’d suggest trying it in person if you ever get a chance.

Kansas City also has a specialty: cheesy corn. This hearty side usually has meat, often bacon, and is worth a try anywhere you can find it. Jack Stack’s is definitely worth the try since they’re the innovators of this cheesy goodness. Read more on KC cheesy corn here.

Jack Stack's burnt ends served at home with rice and broccoli

Alabama

Alabama knows a thing or two about barbecue’d meats. From well-seasoned ribs to poultry perfection, Alabama meats your barbecue needs.

Alabama White Sauce

If you have heard of Alabama White Sauce, understand this is intended for chicken. Duke’s has a version great on rotisserie chicken for a BBQ sandwich with a different kick. Note: Alabama White Sauce is not simply mayonnaise. Read up on the unique sauce's history here.

Dreamland - Tuscaloosa, AL

The original Tuscaloosa Dreamland location has some of the best ribs in the country. Their sweet tea will cool you down as you devour rib after rib with slices of white bread between. This joint doesn’t have a full menu, but all you really want is ribs and tea, anyway.

Dreamland neon sign

See why they rightly earn the slogan: Ain't nothing like 'em nowhere

Boxed lunch of Dreamland Ribs, sauce, and white bread

Dreamland sign

South Carollina

Pig is where it’s at in the Palmetto state. Coastal Whole Hog and tangy mustard-style sauces highlight pork in its highest form.

Whole Hog Barbecue

I drove by a South Carolina-based Rodney Scott’s location on the way to an airport in Atlanta, and wished I’d gotten a chance to try this ”low and slow” Southern delicacy. So, it’s still high on our list as it's been recommended on numerous occasions for its renowned Whole Hog Carolina-style experience.

We tried Martin’s which is Tennessee-style Whole Hog, and it’s some of the best pork we’ve ever tasted due to its moist nature and ability to shine in its own simplicity.

So, I couldn’t imagine how delectable Rodney Scott’s could be given he's an expert of Whole Hog. Also, he's a James Beard award winner , along with Aaron Franklin and Louie Mueller, both of Texas, as well as Lexington #1 in NC.

Read more about the Whole Hog style history here.

Pompous Pig


While researching pit stops during our “Scenic Tour”, I ran across a helpfully humorous video to help in deciding which barbecue spots are worth patronizing or not.

Pompous Pig sign

Taking their advice into consideration, I narrowed the choices between two locations in Anderson, since it looked like we were going to stop in that area on our way through. There was a Yelp review stating how one place isn’t as pompous as “that other place”. So, that tipped the scale in favor of Pompous Pig.

Pompous Pig decor

They did not disappoint! They had my preferred South Carolina-style mustard sauce, among other regional sauces available for their moist pulled pork and meaty ribs. Their crispy fried okra was a hit as well! Highly recommend getting your pig on at Anderson’s “Pompous Pig”.

SC-style mustard sauce on a pulled pork sandwich and sides

California

After being in the San Francisco Bay Area for over a decade, I’ve been hard-pressed to find good BBQ. However, if you find yourself hankering for ‘cue, the following places are worth checking out in The Bay.

The closest style of regional barbecue is the Santa Maria style tri-tip. There are many who advertise their tri-tip, yet for authentic Santa Maria style, you have to visit the origin down the coast to the Santa Maria Elk Club. Anyone else is serving you tasty tri-tip. Check out more in an article by SFGate.

Lombardi’s - Petaluma, CA

We were recommended to sample the tri-tip sandwiches at Lombardi’s by some locals. They specialize in “gourmet barbecue” such as tri-trip and ribs. The smoke billows around you, greeting you like a warm hug before you head into the bustling deli environment.

Lombardi's smokers

I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. There are plenty of picnic tables outside to scarf down your choice of either made-to-order deli sandwiches, barbecue plates, or hot dogs.

I found the tri-tip sandwiches to be too saucy for my taste. I love to taste the flavor of the meat and prefer less sauce. We will update after properly sampling their tri-tip a la carte and pork ribs, one of my favorite barbecue stars.

Roy’s Chicago Dogs & BBQ at The Yard - Petaluma, CA

For a great hot dog fix, head to Petaluma. From Chicago to junkyard dogs, Roy’s has a dog for you!

Roy's hot dog, fries, and an RC Cola

There is barbecue available, yet it’s only on certain days (any great BBQ spot has spotty hours). We will update once we’re able to sample their ‘cue.

Sweet Tea’s - Windsor, CA

I am a big fan of spare ribs and Sweet Tea’s has the romantic entree “Ribs for 2”. We went up to Windsor for an anniversary meal, and highly recommend Sweet Tea’s for a date night. It runs a bit upscale, but the food and craft cocktails are a legit treat. They love kids and offer their favorite side: fried okra. With a name like “Sweet Tea’s”, they’d have to have proper sweet tea: they do!

Sweet Tea's ribs for 2

My only note is the greens ran sweet. As a Southerner, I’ve never had greens with a sweet profile. All the other menu items that we have sampled are tasty, making this haven well worth a visit to Sonoma County!