Texas food expert reveals the country’s best BBQ restaurants – and no.1 pick isn’t in the Lone Star State
A Texas culinary expert has revealed the best BBQ restaurants in the country, and number one isn’t in the Lone Star State.
Over the past decade, barbecue restaurants have been popping up all over the United States. Some restaurants specialize in Carolina whole hogs, Kansas City burnt ends, or Memphis dry-rub ribs, but the vast majority won’t open without offering Texas BBQ.
Daniel Vaughn, a reporter at Texas Monthly, spent a year searching for the best Texas-style barbecue restaurants outside of the Lone Star State itself.
After getting the green light from his editors, Vaughn set out to prove his hypothesis that American BBQ has become synonymous with Texan BBQ.
The foodie ate at 149 restaurants in 37 states. While on-the-go BBQ fare isn’t available in every state yet, Vaughn narrowed it down to 53 of the best restaurants, focusing exclusively on 47 continental states, excluding Texas.
A Texas food expert has revealed the best BBQ restaurants in the country, and the number one pick isn’t in the Lone Star State
Texas Monthly reporter Daniel Vaughn spent a year on the road finding the best Texas-style barbecue restaurants outside of the Lone Star State itself
1. Palmira Barbecue in South Carolina
Hector Garate’s Palmira Barbecue offers a unique blend of flavors from South Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rica. Enjoy whole pork barbecue, beef cheeks, ribs, brisket, and house-made sausages. Don’t miss the guava cheesecake, and consider a digestive aid like Underberg.
2. The Best BBQ in North Carolina
Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, North Carolina, offers quality barbecue dishes featuring a variety of proteins, including pork ribs, sausage, beef short ribs, and brisket.
Enjoy Puerto Rican-inspired sides like barbecue rice and lechon, and don’t miss the Texas cobbler.
3. Owens & Hull in Georgia
Owens & Hull in Atlanta offers top-notch barbecue, including Prime-grade brisket, smoked turkey and a variety of sausages. Enjoy sides like scallops and cheese and Cajun rice.
4. Moo’s Craft Barbecue in California
Moo’s Craft Barbecue in California offers exceptional Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, sausage, ribs and pork belly burnt ends. Try the smoked burger with brisket chili.
5. California Heritage BBQ
Heritage Barbecue in California offers top-notch Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, pork ribs and smoked sausages. Try specialty items like birria tacos and pastrami Reuben.
6. Southern Crossing in New York
Southern Junction in Buffalo offers a unique blend of Indian and Texan flavors. Enjoy brisket biryani, barbecue foldie, and smoked chicken.
Don’t miss the honey butter cardamom cornbread or the banana pudding.
Hector Garate’s Palmira Barbecue offers a unique blend of flavors from South Carolina, Texas and Puerto Rica and is Vaughn’s number one choice on the list
7. Pica Rica BBQ in Utah
Pica Rica BBQ in St. George offers homemade tortillas, tacos, and a signature chopped brisket torta. Enjoy beef sausage, smoked chicken, and delicious desserts like tres leches cake and smoked peach and blueberry pie.
8. Jon G’s Barbecue in North Carolina
Jon G’s in North Carolina offers exceptional brisket, smoked turkey and bacon burnt ends. Enjoy sides like brisket fried rice and batata salad.
9. Edge Craft Barbecue in Oklahoma
Edge Craft Barbecue in Oklahoma offers high-quality house-made sausages and sides like collard greens, Brussels sprouts and red beans and rice. Enjoy the brisket and smoked chicken.
10. Golden Hour Barbecue in Nebraska
Golden Hour Barbecue in Nebraska offers exceptional brisket, sausage and pulled pork. The classic small-town joint is housed in a historic building and uses Texas post oak for its smoker.