Best Barbecue Towns to Visit this Summer

Barbecue, also known as BBQ, is a beloved culinary tradition that has spread across the United States and beyond. However, not all BBQ is created equal, and some cities are simply better than others when it comes to delivering mouth-watering, slow-cooked meats that are slathered in delicious sauces. In this article, we will rank the top five cities to visit for the best barbecue, taking into account the quality of the meat, the variety of sauces, and the overall atmosphere of the city. We’re not doing this in order though — that would just be too hard a task!

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City has been dubbed the “BBQ Capital of the World” for good reason. This Midwestern city is home to hundreds of barbecue restaurants, each with their own unique style and flavor. The most popular type of BBQ in Kansas City is the slow-smoked, dry-rubbed pork spare ribs, which are slathered in a sweet and tangy sauce. Other favorites include burnt ends, smoked brisket, and pulled pork sandwiches. Some of the most popular BBQ restaurants in Kansas City include Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Arthur Bryant’s, and Gates BBQ.

Austin, Texas

Texas is known for its BBQ, and Austin is the epicenter of this smoky, flavorful cuisine. Texas-style BBQ is all about the beef, and Austin’s BBQ joints are known for their delicious brisket, which is slow-cooked over mesquite or oak wood for up to 18 hours. The result is a tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat that is served with tangy, tomato-based sauces. Some of the best BBQ spots in Austin include Franklin Barbecue, Terry Black’s Barbecue, and La Barbecue.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis-style BBQ is all about the pork, and the city is known for its slow-smoked pork shoulder and ribs, which are coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. The meat is cooked low and slow over hickory wood, which infuses it with a smoky flavor that is hard to beat. Memphis-style BBQ is also known for its dry rubs, which feature a blend of spices that can include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Some of the top BBQ spots in Memphis include Central BBQ, The Bar-B-Q Shop, and Rendezvous.

Lexington, North Carolina

North Carolina is home to two distinct styles of BBQ: Eastern-style and Lexington-style. Lexington-style BBQ is known for its use of pork shoulder, which is cooked slowly over hickory wood and then chopped or pulled before being coated in a tomato-based sauce that has a bit of vinegar and spices. Lexington-style BBQ is also known for its “red slaw,” which is a coleslaw that is made with ketchup instead of mayonnaise, giving it a distinctive flavor. Some of the top BBQ joints in Lexington include Lexington Barbecue, Speedy’s Barbecue, and Smiley’s Lexington BBQ.

Lockhart, Texas

Lockhart is a small town in Texas that is famous for its BBQ. It is home to four BBQ joints, each with its own unique style and flavor. The most famous of these is Kreuz Market, which has been serving up BBQ since 1900. The meat at Kreuz Market is cooked low and slow over post oak wood, and it is served with no sauce, allowing the natural flavors of the meat to shine through. Other popular BBQ spots in Lockhart include Smitty’s Market, Black’s Barbecue, and Chisholm Trail BBQ.

These five cities are some of the best places to visit if you are a BBQ lover. Each one offers a unique style of BBQ that is sure to delight your taste buds, along with a friendly and inviting atmosphere. Make sure to stop by some of the best spots this summer if you’re passing through any of these locations. Do be careful though, a couple of spots on the list have had crime increases over the last few years. Hopefully that doesn’t dampen your BBQ adventuring!