# Best Barbecue Near You? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2020, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869 "2020-02-13T11:57:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/21 "2020-02-13T16:57:36Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Those have good ribs (and are Chicago classics), but they’re not really barbecue (i.e. smoked.) More like baked in the oven and then grilled and slathered in sauce. I’m not trying to split hairs here, I honestly don’t think those would qualify for the barbecue list that was linked to. (All those look like traditional barbecue with smoked meats.) > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I live close to Earl’s and Gale Street’s also in the area but, as far as this board goes, we’re neighbors! > > Smoque is my pick, really good and, critically, consistent. I haven’t been to Earl’s but it’s been on my list for a while. The smoked chicken wings sound particularly good. What time of day do you recommend going? > > I agree with Puly, Gale and Anchor (never been to that one) are baked and sauced, not barbeque. Good point, neither Gale Street nor Twin Anchors are really BBQ places. Both have awesome ribs, and I recommend them, but otherwise “not BBQ.” I’m not sure about when to go to Earl’s. I’ve been there a few times and it wasn’t too busy when I was there. I remember being there late morning, early afternoon, and around 6:00 or so on a weekday, so you will probably be OK throughout the day. And to be honest, I think I like Earl’s a bit more than Smoque. Smoque’s great and I want to put it all in my mouth but it’s also a little overhyped. Earl’s is a little more under the radar, imo. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/22 "2020-02-13T16:57:48Z")
In the San Jose area, I really like Smoking Pig BBQ. I especially like their Wolf Turds (smoked jalapenos wrapped in bacon and stuffed with sausage and cream cheese). ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/23 "2020-02-13T17:09:55Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > I have yet to try them but [Texas Jack’s](https://www.txjacks.com/) is supposed to be the best in Northern Virginia. The building was originally occupied by a greasy spoon called Whitey’s, whence the “EAT” sign. Texas Jack’s is one of our favorites. Not cheap, but very tasty. Our favorite Korean BBQ (and my favorite restaurant overall in the NoVA area) is Kogiya in Centreville. All you can eat Korean BBQ’d marinated sirloin, spicy pork belly, and chicken for about 24 per person. If you're adventurous, add about 4 and get all you can eat small intestine, large intestine, and beef stomach (abomasum) as well. We always go for the organ meat option – the pork belly plus the intestines are my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/24 "2020-02-13T17:24:07Z")
You are all making me jealous. For all the variety of great food in northern CA, BBQ is like an ongoing drought. There are a few OK places around, but for whatever reason they do not last long, and they are few and far between. There are some chains but they are BBQ in name only, are horrible and do not qualify as BBQ in my book. I have had proper BBQ in Texas, Virginia, and Kansas City - we do not have that out here. Please send us some life-giving BBQ! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/25 "2020-02-13T17:26:50Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Smoque is my pick, really good and, critically, consistent. Yeah, almost unbelievably so. I’m used to barbecue being somewhat hit-or-miss, so I’ll generally give a BBQ joint three tries to wow me (unless it’s pretty obvious from the first time they don’t know what they’re doing or I don’t like what they’re doing.) Pretty much all the classic South and West Side Chicago aquarium smoker joints are quite variable in the product. When it’s on, it’s on and the best, but when it’s not, you can get stuck with some grisly, chewy meat. Smoque almost always nails it. The first time I went there, I wasn’t particularly impressed, but every time I’ve been there since then it’s been solid, particularly the brisket (which I don’t bother getting anywhere else in Chicago, though I’m sure by now there’s probably some joints who can do it as well as they can. Before Smoque, there wasn’t a single barbecue brisket in Chicago I would go out of my way for.) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/26 "2020-02-13T17:30:43Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Smoque is my pick, really good and, critically, consistent. I haven’t been to Earl’s but it’s been on my list for a while. The smoked chicken wings sound particularly good. What time of day do you recommend going? If you ever find yourself in/near Berwyn and want a good beer bar with smoked chicken wings and an eclectic clientele, try Cigars & Stripes. Especially if you love hot sauces. Ronnie (the owner) makes all sorts of hot sauces himself from mildly spicy to blow-your-head-off. His smoking is on point, and, if you get lucky and pick the right day, he sometimes has smoked Italian beef with homemade giardiniera which I love to bits. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/27 "2020-02-13T17:51:29Z")
They aren’t even close for California. Phil’s in San Diego is the best. They are wrong on Nevada as well. And North Carolina. These sorts of articles are paid puff pieces or are written by people who don’t know shit about BBQ. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/28 "2020-02-13T18:03:00Z")
I have heard good things about their choice - Little Miss Barbecue, but haven’t been there myself yet. But, they would have to be pretty damn good to beat [Danky’s](https://www.yelp.com/biz/dankys-bar-b-q-phoenix). ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/29 "2020-02-13T18:16:10Z")
The only thing I miss about living in FL is the BBQ - there were a couple of really good small chains near where we lived. Here in southern Merrylande, the choices are OK, but not spectacular. There’s [Famous Dave’s](https://www.famousdavesdmv.com/locations/waldorf-md.html?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=organic) in Waldorf, which isn’t too bad. We had a place called Urban BBQ in Leonardtown that didn’t last long - it was pretty mediocre. [Mission BBQ](https://mission-bbq.com/) seems popular hereabouts, but I wasn’t impressed. There was also a hole-in-the-wall place not too far from us that the locals raved about. I never did see what was so great about it - I ordered turkey because I love smoked turkey. I got a turkey cold-cut sandwich with sauce on it. :eek: In summary, the best BBQ near me is my smoker. I’ve made some great ribs, amazing smoked turkey and chicken, and even a smoked meatloaf! ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/30 "2020-02-13T18:34:06Z")
California is a big state, and the one they list isn’t “near me” in any way, nor do I know anything about it. For the Sacramento area I might pick [Smokers Wild](https://www.smokerswildbbq.com/), which is actually a food truck. They do “competition style” like the place **Grrr!** mentioned in Dallas. > [@silenus](#): > > These sorts of articles are paid puff pieces or are written by people who don’t know shit about BBQ. It looks like for this piece they made their determination based solely on their ratings on Foursquare. And I think the publishers of pieces like this figured out that they can get more clicks posting “controversial” picks than the ones that everyone agrees are the best. Clicks from people coming to say “You got my state wrong!” still generate ad views. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/31 "2020-02-13T18:55:34Z")
No doubt. We finally got a decent joint locally. Cornerstone BBQ is in the next town down the freeway and is pretty damn good, all things considered. They also opened a Dickie’s just down the street from me, but I think their entire operation blows chunks. Lousy food, lousy service. ---
**Author:** ![BeeGee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@BeeGee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeeGee)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/32 "2020-02-13T18:58:06Z")
I was surprised. I really thought they’d pick Franklins for Texas. Dog knows they’ve been falling all over that stuff for the past ten years. I’ve never had it. Cause the day I get up and stand in line for three hours in the hopes of getting a lb of brisket is the day you can call the nice young men in their clean white coats with the big nets. No. Nyet. Nuh-uh. I’ve got Blacks (not Terry Blacks) from Lockhart across the street from home and Southside Market opened a new place near work with the Elgin hot sausage. What more could I need? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/33 "2020-02-13T20:22:58Z")
Pleasantly surprised that they picked Fox Bros BBQ for Georgia, which is a fine choice (and 20 minutes away from me). I prefer Community Q BBQ in Decatur, GA, but Fox Bros has always been a solid 2nd for me. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/34 "2020-02-13T20:28:11Z")
I have never had BBQ in St Louis, but I find it hard to believe that Bogart’s would make a top 10 list on the Missouri side of Kansas City (which is ignoring all the good stuff on the Kansas side). Gates, Bryant’s, Q39, Rosedale, Smoking Gun, Hawg Jaw, Jack Stack, and Smokestack just off the top of my head are hard to beat. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/35 "2020-02-13T20:44:30Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > I have never had BBQ in St Louis, but I find it hard to believe that Bogart’s would make a top 10 list on the Missouri side of Kansas City (which is ignoring all the good stuff on the Kansas side). > > Gates, Bryant’s, Q39, Rosedale, Smoking Gun, Hawg Jaw, Jack Stack, and Smokestack just off the top of my head are hard to beat. Joe’s! LCs! Yeah, KC has a treasure trove of good barbecue places. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/36 "2020-02-13T20:53:57Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Eastern NC BBQ is best , made from pork. This is correct. I grew up in South Carolina thinking I didn’t like BBQ. Turns out what I don’t like is South Carolina style BBQ (a.k.a. Piggie Park). I don’t remember the name of the place that had the best. Maybe Wilber’s, maybe Skylight Inn. Maybe something else altogether. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/37 "2020-02-13T21:31:17Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I don’t know of a great BBQ place in DC, but there is an excellent one in Edinburg, VA called Beans. They are only open Thursday through Sunday, but they are great. Just down the block is Sal’s a great Italian bistro, btw. Federalist Pig isn’t bad, and this comes from someone who grew up eating North Carolina (mostly eastern) BBQ. Market Lunch in Eastern Market was serving excellent BBQ sandwiches a few years ago, but I haven’t been there since I stopped working down the street from them. Sligo BBQ in Silver Spring has a wood smoker and is usually good, but I have been there when they didn’t get it quite right. They’ve been good the last few times I’ve been there, though, and I look forward to them reopening in March. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/38 "2020-02-13T21:37:16Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > I have never had BBQ in St Louis, but I find it hard to believe that Bogart’s would make a top 10 list on the Missouri side of Kansas City (which is ignoring all the good stuff on the Kansas side). > > Gates, Bryant’s, Q39, Rosedale, Smoking Gun, Hawg Jaw, Jack Stack, and Smokestack just off the top of my head are hard to beat. Couldn’t agree more. I’m pretty sure I’ve had Bogart’s; I remember being taken to a BBQ place St. Louisians rave about and assume that was it. Don’t recall being impressed. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/39 "2020-02-13T21:40:59Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > As for local BBQ in Houston, there are a few new ones I haven’t gotten to try. Plus, there’s always Chinese BBQ at places like the Hong Kong Food Market. Funny you should mention that; I grew up like 300 yards from the Hong Kong Market on Bellaire @ Boone, and there used to be a pretty good local joint called Sally Jo’s across Boone from there. Anyway, here in Dallas, Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum is FAR and away the best barbecue joint in the city. 10-50 is ok, but doesn’t really compare to Pecan Lodge. I want to try Cattleack one of these days, but their weird-ass hours make it difficult. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869/40 "2020-02-13T22:49:01Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The one listed for Illinois, Smoque, is a good choice for best all-around barbecue. Outside of Chicago, 17th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro is a good choice, as well. > > For Chicago-style barbecue (aquarium smoker, typical dishes are rib tips & hot links and spare ribs; very little choice of sides; usually take-out only), I would have said Uncle John’s years ago, but the pitmaster there died a few years back. I haven’t been to any of the offshoots his family runs to see how they are, but Mack (the “Uncle John”) was an excellent pitmaster and I followed him from Barbara Ann’s to Uncle John’s. These days, I go to Lem’s. Pretty sure 17th Street (and yes, they are very good!) is in Marion. At least, the one I went to was in Marion, next to the Country Inn & Suites. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-barbecue-near-you/847869.md?page=3)