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Curated guide · Trailwind

Definitive American BBQ

The regional icons, coast to coast. 14 places, mapped and ready to build a trip around.

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SelectionTrailwind's picks, in no particular order
14Spots
2James Beard
1925Oldest, est.
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  1. Central BBQ

    United States
    Climate36–91°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglish

    Memphis, and the dry-rub ribs that made its name. The Summer Avenue original still has the best patio.

  2. Arthur Bryant's Barbeque

    United States
    Climate23–88°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglish

    Kansas City institution going since the 1920s. Burnt ends, and a gritty paprika-thickened sauce people either love or argue about.

  3. Pappy's Smokehouse

    United States
    Climate27–88°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglish

    St. Louis doing Memphis style, dry-rubbed and smoked over apple and cherry. They sell out and close.

  4. Rendezvous

    United States
    Est. 1948
    Climate36–91°FCurrencyUSDLanguageEnglish

    Down an alley off Second Street since 1948. Charcoal ribs, dry rub, slaw, and very little else.

  5. Snow's BBQ

    Lexington, TX
    Climate43–99°F

    Open Saturdays only. Pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz's brisket is the stuff of pilgrimage.

  6. Franklin Barbecue

    Austin, TX
    James BeardIconic
    Climate43–97°F

    Aaron Franklin's brisket: the James Beard-winning smoke that people queue hours for.

  7. Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ

    Charleston, SC
    James Beard
    Climate45–88°F

    James Beard-winning whole-hog pitmaster: smoky, vinegar-kissed pulled pork.

  8. Skylight Inn BBQ

    Ayden, NC
    Iconic
    Climate37–90°F

    Eastern North Carolina whole-hog royalty: chopped pork with cracklin', a Jones-family legacy.

  9. Lexington Barbecue

    Lexington, NC
    Iconic
    Climate34–90°F

    The definitive Piedmont/Lexington-style chopped shoulder with red dip: a Carolina landmark.

  10. Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous

    Memphis, TN
    Est. 1948Iconic
    Climate36–91°F

    Memphis's cavernous downtown legend: charcoal-grilled dry-rub ribs since 1948.

  11. Payne's Bar-B-Que

    Memphis, TN
    Climate36–91°F

    A converted gas station serving what many call the best chopped-pork sandwich in Memphis.

  12. Arthur Bryant's

    Kansas City, MO
    Iconic
    Climate23–88°F

    The Kansas City temple of burnt ends and brick-red sauce: a bucket-list pilgrimage.

  13. Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que

    Kansas City, KS
    Iconic
    Climate23–88°F

    A gas-station BBQ joint whose Z-Man sandwich and burnt ends draw national acclaim.

  14. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q

    Decatur, AL
    Est. 1925Iconic
    Climate36–90°F

    Home of Alabama white sauce and championship smoked chicken since 1925.

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