These Are the 10 Restaurants Every Barbecue Lover Must Visit

Food & Wine ^ | June 23 2025 | Greg Baker

[texas booster]

From old school to new wave, here are 10 barbecue spots worth waiting in line for.

Chef Ashley Christensen once said, “We don’t talk about politics, religion, or barbecue at the table.” One’s barbecue preferences can end friendships and stress familial relations. But while folks could spend hours arguing about tomato-based sauce vs. vinegar-based sauce, beef ribs vs. pork ribs, and who has the best brisket in all of Texas, there’s one topic that we could all agree on — the restaurants, counters, and stands that have played a role in moving American barbecue forward.

[FamiliarFace]

That’s sort of tragic, but I kind of understand. The restaurant business is so time-consuming and competitive.

[bert]

The best BBQ in the world is served at Ridgewood BBQ near Elizabethton TN.

We toured Texas one April to see the Blue Bonets and eat BBQ.

The best BBQ in Texas is served at Coopers in Ilano Texas. We ate BBQ twice a day for a week and visited all the top 5 in the state.

Coopers is the best and worth the trip there to eat

[dennisw]

“Franklin Barbecue (Austin, Texas)
Louie Mueller Barbecue (Taylor, Texas)”

These are the only two that interest me. I would go to both if someone gave me a 2-3thousand dollars that had to be spent on a BBQ road trip. They are 1200+ miles from me and not worth spending my own money going there. Where I live I can get BBQ that is 80% as good as the best in Texas, and that 80% is good enough for me.

[oldtech]

Only BBQ place I was ever in was Tiny’s Smokehouse in Springfield, Mo. one of those smorgasboard all-you-can-eat places & I thought it was very good.. Doesn’t seem to even be listed there anymore. Most of you experts probably wouldn’t have rated it very high anyway. I thought it was good. Don’t travel anymore & don’t know of any decent BBQ closeby.

[DAC21]

Central BBQ in Memphis was very good, better than Rendezvous for sure which wasn’t bad per say if you like a dry rub finish which I do. You can sauce at the table if you want.

[SharpRightTurn]

“Central BBQ ... in the Memphis area.”

Yes, top notch.

[Lewis9]

Ramey’s Whole Hog BBQ, Parsons Tennessee.

[SharpRightTurn]

“Ramey’s Whole Hog BBQ, Parsons Tennessee”

That’s good to know. Thanks.

[bert]

I posted that Ridgewood near Elizabethton TN is the best in the world.

True story:
We went with my son and his visiting family to Ridgewood for lunch a day or so after Christmas.

Ridgewood is a small place. First of all, a county ambulance pulled up in the crowded parking lot. Then the Rescue Squad. They all came in and went to the nearby table across the aisle. Then a deputy sheriff and then another sheriff showed up.

They brought in a gurney and loaded the elderly (my age)man into the ambulance. His wife went along to the hospital.

At the table where the apparent heart attack occurred, the middle age man and his wife remained and continued to eat their fantastic Ridgewood BBQ. A small event like dad having a heart attack and mom going with him to the hospital could not interrupt the best BBQ in the world lunch

[Tommy Revolts]

Have you ever tried pecan wood?

I have. Pecan is a great choice. It is close to Hickory but not as intense smoke flavor.

[AppyPappy]

Skylight in Ayden NC usually wins NC

[Tammy8]

Rollin Smoke; Anthony, Texas. Only drawback is catering is their priority so their restaurant hours are limited.

[FamiliarFace]

Right. It is milder but is a great choice for us.

[Tommy Revolts]

Excellent.

Yep, we started out going to a small bbq joint in south Kansas City called Smokestack BBQ.

I remember it was by the railroad tracks that ran through the Martin City neighborhood. There was also another legendary restaurant there called Jess and Jim's Steakhouse.

I think his sons took over the joint and it went from Smoke Stack to Jack Stack, and a bit more upscale.

Great Kansas City BBQ.

[Mashood]

Lums, Junction, TX.

[Just mythoughts]

There are now three other Jack Stack restaurants in the KC metro…. Plaza, Lee’s Summit, and Overland Park.. The Martin City restaurant has been remodeled to accommodate more customers.. one can also purchase burnt ends, beef brisket, and pork burnt ends at Price Chopper stores..

[DCBryan1]

Thanks for the thread! Wife, kids, and I just ate lunch at Cozy Corner in Memphis. Good food! 8.5 to me. Very reasonable ! Taking kids to Space camp in Huntsville and will hit Big Bobs in AL. Tommorrow!

[DCBryan1]

Thanks for the thread! Wife, kids, and I just ate lunch at Cozy Corner in Memphis. Good food! 8.5 to me. Very reasonable ! Taking kids to Space camp in Huntsville and will hit Big Bobs in AL. Tommorrow!