Southern BBQ spots worth the smoke

Blood Bros. BBQ

Blood Bros. has taken Texas smokehouse traditions to another level by bringing in flavors of the Houston’s many cuisines. They combine classic brisket and ribs with influences from Vietnamese, Chinese, Cajun and Tex-Mex cooking, so you can expect a distinctive barbecue experience.

What to Order: Brisket, Gochujang Ribs, Boudin

Don’t Miss:  Try to catch their Wednesday–Saturday Happy “Nhau”-ers,  inspired by a Vietnamese tradition of gathering over food and drinks. They’re evening sessions with themed menus, steak nights, and off-menu dishes from the chefs.

Bellaire, TX  |  bloodbrosbbq.com

Feges BBQ

Feges BBQ takes a chef-driven approach to Texas barbecue, pairing expertly smoked meats with creative sides and thoughtful flavors. Brisket, ribs and house-made sausage share the menu with dishes that go beyond standard barbecue-joint fare, helping make Feges one of Houston’s most respected smokehouses.

What to Order: Brisket, Pork Ribs, House-Made Sausage, Pork Belly

Don’t Miss: Save room for the loaded baked potato salad. It’s a cult favorite for a reason, packed with bacon, cheese and all the fixings of a loaded baked potato.

Multiple Locations, Houston, TX  |  fegesbbq.com

Truth BBQ

Truth BBQ is all Texas. They started at their original Brenham location using wood-burning offset smokers, and when the lines started going out the door they added another Houston location. They serve brisket, turkey, ribs and house-made sausage, and make their sides and desserts from scratch daily. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, but the barbecue is serious business; it’s a must-visit Texas smokehouse.

What to Order: Brisket, Tater Tot Casserole, Brussels Sprouts Side, House Sausage

Don’t Miss: Don’t skip dessert. Their homemade cakes and pies are baked fresh daily and have become almost as famous as the barbecue itself.

Brenham & Houston, TX  |  truthbbq.com

The Pit Room

The Pit Room serves brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, turkey, chicken and house-made sausage, alongside Texas favorites like coleslaw and mac and cheese. It’s open morning until night, 7 days a week – a neighborhood barbecue joint that works whether you’re grabbing lunch, dinner or even breakfast.

What to Order: Ribs, Black Pepper Garlic Venison Sausage, Brisket Plate with Sausage

Don’t Miss: Order the elote. This smoky Mexican-style street corn is one of their best side dishes and goes great with brisket.

Multiple Locations, Houston, TX  |  thepitroombbq.com

LOUISIANA

Gonzo’s Smokehouse & BBQ

Gonzo’s brings Central Texas-inspired craft barbecue paired with Louisiana specialties like boudin (a Cajun sausage) and other house-made sausage. Open only a few days each week, it’s exactly the kind of place barbecue fans drive out of their way to visit.

What to Order: Smoked Beef Cheeks, Smoked Pork Jowls, Smoked Cherry Cola Brisket Burnt Ends, House Sausages

Don’t Miss: Don’t skip the smoked brisket boudin. It combines Texas barbecue and South Louisiana cooking in one sausage, and it’s a very unique bite.

Luling, LA  |  gonzosmokehouse.com

Blue Oak BBQ

Blue Oak BBQ has become one of New Orleans’ favorite barbecue destinations. The atmosphere is casual and lively, with backyard cookout energy and a menu that blends traditional barbecue with creative Southern sides. Smoky meats, creamy sides and flavorful sauces all come together for a barbecue tray that’s easy to crave.

What to Order: Beef Brisket, Smoked Wings, Green Onion Sausage, Pulled Pork, Smoked Turkey

Don’t Miss: Try the cracklins as a starter. They’re fried to order and dusted with seasoning, and they’ll change whatever you think about cracklins.

New Orleans, LA & Huntsville, AL  |  blueoakbbq.com

The Joint

Tucked into the colorful, historic Bywater neighborhood, The Joint serves pulled pork, brisket, ribs, chicken and sausage in a laid-back setting that feels like an old New Orleans corner bar. The meats are smoky, tender and satisfying, and the creamy slaw brings everything together. It’s the kind of neighborhood barbecue spot every traveler hopes to discover.

What to Order: Brisket, Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich with Slaw

Don’t Miss: Add the mac and cheese when you order sides. It’s not only extra rich ‘n creamy, but also deliciously smoky.

New Orleans, LA  |  alwayssmokin.com

Bourrée Cajun Smokehouse

Bourrée combines smokehouse cooking with spicy Cajun smokehouse flavor. Known for smoked wings, hot boudin links and meat pies, it’s a casual neighborhood hangout with a strong local following. Some weekends they smoke a whole suckling pig Cajun style – it’s called Cochon de Lait, and there’s probably nothing else like it outside of Louisiana.

What to Order: Smoked Wings, Boudin Links, Meat Pies, Cochon de Lait

Don’t Miss:  Their smoked wings have a near-legendary following with New Orleans locals.

New Orleans, LA  |  bourreenola.com

Central City BBQ

Central City BBQ specializes in brisket, ribs, smoked pork belly, pulled pork, turkey, chicken, sausage and boudin (a Cajun sausage). The menu is built for sharing, making it a favorite for game days, family gatherings and hungry groups. The variety is impressive!

What to Order: Hogs for the Cause Award-Winning Smoked Wings, Brisket, Ribs, Smoked Boudin, Smothered Turkey

Don’t Miss: Indulge in the smoked pork belly. It’s rich and smoky, and nobody does it better than here.

New Orleans, LA  |  centralcitybbq.com

MISSISSIPPI

The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint

The Shed is a real barbecue road house that serves up championship barbecue, live blues and a relaxed atmosphere with twinkly string lights and a large outdoor seating area. Great barbecue gets people through the door, and the laid-back vibe makes them regulars.

What to Order: Baby Back Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Smoked Turkey Breast, Sausage

Don’t Miss: Time your visit around the live music. The food alone is spectacular, but this is your chance to combine championship barbecue, cold beer and delta blues in one experience.

Ocean Springs, MS  |  theshedbbq.com

Ubon’s BBQ

Ubon’s is one of Mississippi’s best-known barbecue names, with deep local roots built on generations of family tradition and championship competition barbecue success. Located in the Mississippi Delta, it’s a top-level barbecue destination for serious fans looking for a hearty welcome and authentic Southern smoke.

What to Order: Pulled Pork Plate, St. Louis Ribs, Smoked Chicken

Don’t Miss: Don’t leave without trying the championship ribs. They have won countless competitions, and it shows in every rack they serve.

Yazoo City, MS  |  ubonsbbq.com

ALABAMA

Archibald’s Bar-B-Q

Archibald’s is one of Alabama’s true barbecue legends. Housed in a modest cinderblock building near Tuscaloosa since the early 1960s (now with a second location in Tuscaloosa), it has built a devoted following around hickory-smoked ribs and a distinctive vinegary sauce. It’s simple, authentic and widely considered one of the South’s great barbecue institutions.

What to Order: Hickory-Smoked Ribs, Pork Sandwiches, Vinegar-Based Sauce

Don’t Miss: It’s all about the ribs. This is what they built their reputation on, and for good reason.

Northport & Tuscaloosa, AL  |  archibaldbbq.com

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q

Founded in 1925 by railroad worker Bob Gibson, this legendary barbecue restaurant is the birthplace of Alabama White Sauce – a tangy white sauce that gives Alabama barbecue its own identity and goes great with smoked chicken and classic Southern sides. Families have been stopping here for generations, and it’s an icon in Alabama.

What to Order: Smoked Chicken with Alabama White Sauce, Brisket, Pit-Fired Hot Dog, Dry Rubbed Pork Shoulder

Don’t Miss: Taste a piece of history when you bite into the smoked chicken with Alabama white sauce. It made this restaurant famous and helped create an entire regional barbecue style.

Multiple Locations, Decatur, AL  |  bigbobgibson.com

Full Moon Bar-B-Que

What started at the original Southside Birmingham location has grown into one of Alabama’s best-known barbecue chains. Full Moon serves hickory-smoked pork, chicken and ribs alongside its famous chow chow, a tangy relish that tops many of its sandwiches. The original location in Birmingham still feels like a classic Alabama barbecue stand.

What to Order: Hickory-Smoked Pork, Smoked Turkey, Chow Chow, BBQ Sandwiches, Half Moon Cookies

Don’t Miss: Save room for a Half Moon Cookie for dessert. It’s an oversized iced cookie that’s become nearly as famous as their barbecue.

Birmingham & Multiple Locations, AL  |  fullmoonbbq.com

GEORGIA

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q built its reputation on smoked brisket, pulled pork, wings and hearty Southern sides. The atmosphere is lively and casual, making it a favorite gathering place for groups looking to share a feast. The wings are crowd-pleasers, the brisket is consistently excellent and the sides complete the meal. Choose from a few locations in Atlanta – they won’t disappoint.

What to Order: Brisket, Smoked Wings, Pulled Pork, Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage, Chicken Fried Ribs

Don’t Miss: Their burger topped with brisket is one of Atlanta’s most over-the-top barbecue creations, ever.

Multiple Locations, Atlanta, GA  |   foxbrosbbq.com

Smokin’ Po Boys

Smokin’ Po Boys is the real deal – and it’s where you go when you love Southern barbecue but you want some Louisiana flavor. They serve smoked meats piled high on po boy style sandwiches, and when you walk in the retro cinder block storefront it feels part smokehouse, part sandwich shop and completely Southern.

What to Order: Smoked Po Boys, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Chopped Chicken Sandwich, Wings

Don’t Miss: Ask for a brisket po boy “dressed Louisiana-style.” That gives you the best combination of their barbecue and their Cajun influences.

Winder (Metro Atlanta), GA  |  smokinpoboysbbq.com

SOUTH CAROLINA

City Barbeque

City Barbeque serves up the kind of feast that’s easy to enjoy with a crowd: brisket, pulled pork, ribs and turkey piled onto trays alongside classic Southern sides. Their brisket and ribs are standouts, and so is their classic banana pudding. We stopped in at the Woodruff Road location in Greenville, but you can find their restaurants across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee plus a few “up north.”

What to Order: Brisket, Pulled Pork, St. Louis Ribs, Turkey, Banana Pudding

Don’t Miss: We can’t say enough about the banana pudding. It’s rich, creamy and stands out as a Southern classic.

Greenville, SC & Multiple Locations  |  CityBBQ.com

Sweatman’s Barbecue

Sweatman’s has been serving traditional South Carolina barbecue since 1977, cooking whole hogs low and slow over wood coals the old-fashioned way. Located in a former farmhouse surrounded by beautiful fields between Columbia and Charleston, it’s a true classic and a longtime stop on the Carolina barbecue trail.

What to Order: Whole Hog Barbecue, Mustard-Based Sauce, Fried Okra, Hash on Rice

Don’t Miss: The hash on rice is a Carolina specialty side dish – barbecue meats stewed way down into a thick “gravy” served over rice.

Holly Hill, SC  |  sweatmansbarbecue.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Sam Jones BBQ

Sam Jones carries on one of North Carolina’s most famous barbecue traditions, serving whole-hog barbecue cooked over wood-fired pits. A descendant of the legendary Skylight Inn barbecue family, Sam Jones still uses generations-old barbecue techniques, and you can taste the goodness. We stopped at their Winterville (in Metro Greenville) restaurant, but they’re open in Raleigh, too.

What to Order: Whole Hog Chopped BBQ, Spare Ribs, Smoked Wings, Slow Cooked Chicken

Don’t Miss: Start with the pork skins with pimento cheese.

Winterville (Metro Greenville) & Raleigh, NC  |  samjonesbbq.com

Lexington Barbecue

Known simply as “The Monk” to barbecue fans, Lexington Barbecue has been serving traditional Western-style North Carolina barbecue since 1962, and oh, man is it a classic old Southern barbecue spot, housed in a big barn-like building on a hill. Pork shoulders are cooked slowly over oak and hickory coals, creating the style of barbecue that made Lexington the state’s barbecue capital.

What to Order: Lexington-Style Barbecue, Pork Shoulder, Chopped Pork, Red Slaw

Don’t Miss: Try the red slaw. It’s made with their signature mayo-based Lexington dip, and it’s become a bit famous in the region.

Lexington, NC  |  lexbbq.com

Sweet Lew’s BBQ

Sweet Lew’s brings old-school Carolina barbecue to Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood, smoking pork, ribs, chicken and brisket over wood-fired pits. The restaurant has earned a loyal following by focusing on traditional barbecue, Southern hospitality and a menu built around classic Carolina flavors.

What to Order: Carolina Barbecue, Pulled Pork, Dry-Rub Ribs, Brisket, Red Slaw

Don’t Miss: Order the hush puppies as a side. They’re crispy outside, fluffy inside and better than cornbread!

Charlotte, NC  |  sweetlewsbbq.com

TENNESSEE

Corky’s Ribs & BBQ

Corky’s helped introduce Memphis barbecue to visitors from all over the world, while simultaneously remaining a local favorite. Known for hickory-smoked ribs and pulled pork, Corky’s delivers the smoky, saucy Memphis barbecue experience that travelers come looking for. We stopped in at their original Memphis location, but you can find them going strong in other locations including Little Rock, Arkansas.

What to Order: Memphis-Style Ribs, Hickory-Smoked Barbecue, Wet Ribs, Pulled Pork Plate

Don’t Miss: Go for the wet ribs. They’re slathered with Corky’s famous sauce and give you a taste of classic Memphis barbecue at its best.

Memphis, TN & Multiple Locations  |  corkysbbq.com

Rendezvous BBQ – Memphis

Hidden down a downtown alley since 1948, Rendezvous helped make Memphis famous for dry-rubbed ribs. Their charcoal-grilled ribs are seasoned with a signature blend of spices rather than covered in sauce, giving them a style all their own. It’s an American icon for sure, and a must-stop if you’re headed to Memphis.

What to Order: Memphis Dry-Rub Ribs, Charcoal-Grilled Ribs, Pulled Pork, Barbecue Shrimp

Don’t Miss: It might sound crazy, but start with the skillet of barbecue shrimp. You have to order a day in advance, but it’s worth it!

Memphis, TN  |  hogsfly.com

Tops Bar-B-Q

Tops Bar-B-Q has been around since 1952, so it’s easy to imagine Elvis or Johnny Cash stopping in for a meal. They’ve now got locations all over Memphis, still with that 1950s diner vibe. They’ve served generations of locals with straightforward, slow-smoked barbecue, and they’re known for their famous rib joints, their classic pork shoulder sandwiches – slow-smoked pork piled high on a bun – and their amazing smoky burgers, too.

What to Order: Classic Memphis-Style Pork Shoulder Sandwich, Fresh-Made Coleslaw, Creamy Potato Salad

Don’t Miss: Don’t overlook the burgers. Locals have been quietly arguing for decades that Tops serves some of the best burgers in Memphis.

Memphis, TN & Multiple Locations  |  topsbarbq.com