On its own, smoky, perfectly charred barbecued meats and veggies are a gift to mankind. When covered in a mouthwatering brown sauce, however, barbecue ascends to an entirely new level. As there are numerous varieties of BBQ sauce flavors ranging from tangy, vinegar-based goodness to full-bodied gravy with a kick of chipotle, barbecue can easily transform into countless scrumptious forms. Moreover, if served along with tasty sides like creamy mac and cheese, sweet potato fries, and refreshing coleslaw, barbecue becomes a soul satisfying experience that is made all the better when shared with loved ones. With that said, here are the best BBQ restaurants in the United States:

The Best BBQ Joints in Each State

Alabama
Greenbrier Restaurant
Madison, AL
Montana
Blue’s BBQ
Billings, MT
Alaska
Roscoe's Catfish & Barbeque
Madison, AL
Nebraska
Hartland Bar-B-Que
Omaha, NE
Arizona
Little Miss BBQ
Phoenix, AZ
Nevada
Rollin Smoke Barbeque
Las Vegas, NV
Arkansas
Whole Hog Café
Madison, AL
New Hampshire
KC’s Rib Shack Barbecue
Manchester, NH
California
Phil’s BBQ
San Diego, CA
New Jersey
Hot Rods BBQ
Madison, AL
Colorado
Jabo's Bar-Be-Q
Madison, AL
New Mexico
The Cube BBQ
Albuquerque, NM
Connecticut
Chester’s Barbecue
Madison, AL
New York
Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque
New York, NY
Delaware
Fat Daddy's BBQ
Madison, AL
North Carolina
Skylight Inn BBQ
Madison, AL
Florida
Holy Hog BBQ
Tampa, FL
North Dakota
Spitfire Bar & Grill
West Fargo, ND
Georgia
Southern Soul Barbeque
Saint Simons Island, GA
Ohio
Eli’s BBQ
Cincinnati, OH
Hawaii
Uncle Bobo's Smoked BBQ
Madison, AL
Oklahoma
Iron Star Urban Barbeque
Oklahoma City, OK
Idaho
Pitmaster BarBQue Company
Idaho Falls, ID
Oregon
Podnah’s Pit Barbeque
Portland, OR
Illinois
Smoque BBQ
Chicago, IL
Pennsylvania
Percy Street Barbecue
Philadelphia, PA
Indiana
Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Westfield, IN
Rhode Island
Rick’s Roadhouse
Providence, RI
Iowa
Hickory Park Restaurant Co.
Ames, IA
South Carolina
Southern Belly BBQ
Columbia, SC
Kansas
Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Madison, AL
South Dakota
Big Rig BBQ
Sioux Falls, SD
Kentucky
Old Hickory Bar-B-Que
Owensboro, KY
Tennessee
Peg Leg Porker
Nashville, TN
Louisiana
Johnson’s Boucaniere
Lafayette, LA
Texas
Black’s Barbecue
Madison, AL
Maine
Salvage BBQ
Portland, ME
Utah
R&R BBQ
Salt Lake City, UT
Maryland
Andy Nelson's Southern Pit Barbecue
Madison, AL
Vermont
Bluebird Barbecue
Burlington, VT
Massachusetts
B.T.’s Smokehouse
Madison, AL
Virginia
Dixie Bones BBQ
Woodbridge, VA
Michigan
Union Woodshop
Madison, AL
Washington
Ranch House BBQ & Steakhouse
Olympia, WA
Minnesota
Big Daddy’s Old Fashioned Barbeque
St. Paul, MN
West Virginia
Ridge View BBQ
Madison, AL
Mississippi
Pig & Pint
Jackson, MS
Wisconsin
Smoky Jon's #1 BBQ
Madison, WI
Missouri
Q39
Kansas City, MO
Wyoming
Boomer’s BBQ
Laramie, WY
District of Columbia
DCity Smokehouse
Washington, D.C.

Ask the Experts:

We reached out to each of these BBQ joint to learn which of their specialties they'd most recommend, and the results are in! Check out some top picks below:

Ridge View BBQ, West Virginia

This restaurant recommends trying out their pulled pork, a hybrid recipe of Memphis and Carolina styles. They also offer some french fry side dishes to savor, or you can sample the lot by going for a 4 meat sampler platter.


Old Hickory Bar-B-Que, Kentucky

While you don't see sheep on every menu out there, Old Hickory encourages you to try their award-winning mutton. It also specializes in burgoo, a traditional Kentucky stew that has won Best in Owensboro for 7 of the last 8 years.


Black's Barbecue, Texas

This joint has a dream pedigree for BBQ lovers- opening in 1932, 5 generations of Blacks have been barbecuing in the same custom-built brick pit. Just about any meat you can imagine is available, including hand blended and stuffed sausages.


Peg Leg Porker, Tennessee

The recommendation from this star BBQ joint is simple: dry ribs! Both half and full racks are available.


Big Rig BBQ, South Dakota

The brisket is the star of the show here, with people traveling hours to grab a sandwich. For those who prefer prok, the ribs and pulled pork have also gotten rave reviews.


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This article was written by Justina Tran.