# Top 10 BBQ joints in the US. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 14, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864 "2013-09-14T20:48:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [September 14, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/1 "2013-09-14T20:48:16Z")
[http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/09/12/top-10-barbecue-restaurants-in-us/](http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/09/12/top-10-barbecue-restaurants-in-us/) Proof that Fox doesn’t know jack shit about **anything**! Their #1 is in NYC, and they illustrate it by showing a burger. Any list that doesn’t have Arthur Bryant’s, Smitty’s, Bridge’s, Lexington #1 and Oklahoma Joe’s on it is garbage. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/2 "2013-09-14T21:21:46Z")
New York City? Get a rope… ---
**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:** [September 14, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/3 "2013-09-14T21:32:15Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > [http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/09/12/top-10-barbecue-restaurants-in-us/](http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/09/12/top-10-barbecue-restaurants-in-us/) > > Proof that Fox doesn’t know jack shit about **anything**! Their #1 is in NYC, and they illustrate it by showing a burger. > > Any list that doesn’t have Arthur Bryant’s, Smitty’s, Bridge’s, Lexington #1 and Oklahoma Joe’s on it is garbage. Well, they do say they’re listed in “no particular order.” Still, I’m a bit :dubious:. They did pick a worthy representative from Chicago, but I can’t imagine it’s top 10 in the US. Maybe top 10 in the Midwest. Maybe. Depending on how you define “Midwest.” Probably Top 10 among Great Lakes States, though. Certainly Top 10 of the Chicago Metropolitan Area. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/4 "2013-09-14T21:40:42Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > [http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/09/12/top-10-barbecue-restaurants-in-us/](http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/09/12/top-10-barbecue-restaurants-in-us/) > > Proof that Fox doesn’t know jack shit about **anything**! Their #1 is in NYC, and they illustrate it by showing a burger. > > Any list that doesn’t have Arthur Bryant’s, Smitty’s, Bridge’s, Lexington #1 and Oklahoma Joe’s on it is garbage. Arthur Bryant’s is coasting on some reputation forged long ago. Substandard stuff that hasn’t been smoked enough combined with surly service doesn’t make for a good barbecue experience. (and I’ve been to the 18th/Brooklyn one twice.) But any barbecue list whose entries are primarily East coast, west coast and chicago has definitely missed the point by a long, long way. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/5 "2013-09-14T21:47:33Z")
Montgomery Inn? Isn’t that boiled ribs? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/6 "2013-09-14T21:48:29Z")
Yeah, Arthur Bryant’s, at this point, is at best a distant third of fourth even in KC. I’d take Oklahoma Joe’s, Gate’s, and probably Jack Stack over it any day. ETA: And now I click the link and see at least they did include Jack Stack. But still… a burger? From NYC? ---
**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:** [September 14, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/7 "2013-09-14T21:52:16Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Montgomery Inn? Isn’t that boiled ribs? Say it ain’t so. Say it ain’t so. _shakes head_ If that’s true, then this list lost any little shred of credibility it may have theoretically had. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/8 "2013-09-14T22:03:16Z")
If a list of “Best BBQ Joints” does not include Cooper’s in Llano, TX, there is no point in reading it. The list is simply wrong. Luling’s City Market belongs as well at least they got that right. [http://www.coopersbbqllano.com/index.html](http://www.coopersbbqllano.com/index.html) Sorry for the cheesy jingle but OMG the pork chop is to die for **Capt** ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/9 "2013-09-14T22:05:11Z")
LOL, Fox News can’t even tell the truth when it comes to BBQ. Come on Fox, BBQ is loved on BOTH side of the aisle; no need to lie. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/10 "2013-09-14T22:08:19Z")
I am not a stickler for regionalisms. I acknowledge that Chili can be any number of meat stews. I acknowledge that “Mexican” food is still Mexican despite not being cooked in Texas or New Mexico. But one thing that I _am_ a stickler on is the term barbeque. A hamburger is _never_ barbeque! Anything that you cook over direct heat for a short period of time is _grilled_. Anything that you cook in very hot water is _boiled_. Anything you stick in the oven is _baked_. Anything you stick under a broiler is _broiled_. And anything that you cook in very low heat for a very long time with smoke is _barbequed_. This list is nothing but a sad joke by somebody who has no idea what they’re talking about. But hey, it’s Fox News, they have a reputation of ignorance to protect. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/11 "2013-09-14T22:21:12Z")
Not a single place from Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, or Tennessee? Heck, I’m from New York and I know that can’t be right. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/12 "2013-09-14T22:30:11Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Montgomery Inn? Isn’t that boiled ribs? Yup. Had 'em back in 1981. Maybe the 25th best in Ohio. Sucked. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/13 "2013-09-14T22:31:35Z")
> [@Frazzled](#): > > This list is nothing but a sad joke by somebody who has no idea what they’re talking about. But hey, it’s Fox News, they have a reputation of ignorance to protect. As is obvious by the fact that one of the “related articles” linked at the bottom is “The 10 Best Barbeque Grills” ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/14 "2013-09-14T22:48:36Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Yeah, Arthur Bryant’s, at this point, is at best a distant third of fourth even in KC. I’d take Oklahoma Joe’s, Gate’s, and probably Jack Stack over it any day. …all of which are far behind Woodyard and half a dozen others. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/15 "2013-09-14T23:23:56Z")
If I’m lucky, I’ll have a week in KC this next June to see for myself. Could be I’m remembering it as it was, rather than as it is. But that happens. 6 dinners, 6 lunches. That means I can hit 15 or so BBQ joints within the city limits. I’ll be taking recommendations in May. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/16 "2013-09-15T01:43:22Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Not a single place from Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, or Tennessee? Heck, I’m from New York and I know that can’t be right. Yeah, really. Tennessee and the Carolinas getting shut out? > [@silenus](#): > > If I’m lucky, I’ll have a week in KC this next June to see for myself. Could be I’m remembering it as it was, rather than as it is. But that happens. 6 dinners, 6 lunches. That means I can hit 15 or so BBQ joints within the city limits. I’ll be taking recommendations in May. 😃 Heck, I’m headed for a conference in KC this Wednesday and will be there 'til Sunday. I may have to sneak out into the streets in between meetings to do some recon for ya. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/17 "2013-09-15T01:56:54Z")
No Coopers? Yeah, hmmm. I do agree that Smoque is some of the best Q Ive ever had. ---
**Author:** ![Oedipus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/18 "2013-09-15T02:25:06Z")
Not wanting to hijack the Fox bashing, but when you guys think of NC BBQ, what do you think of? I live in Lexington, the “BBQ capital of the world.” but I honestly and truly think its dogshit and enjoy some east coast BBQ so much more. ---
**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:** [September 15, 2013, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/19 "2013-09-15T03:10:57Z")
I prefer Lexington style, but the best BBQ I ever had in NC was at [Bridges](http://www.yelp.com/biz/bridges-barbecue-lodge-shelby) in Shelby. I still have the menu stapled to the wall of my classroom. Second place was a joint I don’t recall the name of at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains. ---
**Author:** ![catnoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@catnoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catnoe)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864/20 "2013-09-15T05:23:34Z")
Haven’t been to Lexington since I was a kid but living in Greensboro now Stamey’s gets my vote. Once upon a time Fuzzy’s in Madison was a contender but that was in the early 80’s. Think the owner sold his business and took the recipe with him. In Winston Salem Stratford Barbecue is good. And second or third Luling’s City Market…so good you’ll walk through hell to get it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-10-bbq-joints-in-the-us/668864.md?page=2)