Top 10 Places for BBQ in the United States in 2027
Kory WhiteFractional CRO · 25 yrs · $0→$200MHire a Fractional CRO
CRO Syndicate connects you with vetted fractional & interim revenue leaders — nationwide and across Maryland & DC.
Book a Call
<!--HERO-->
Direct Answer
The Best Overall BBQ destination in the United States in 2027 is Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas, where the legendary brisket — with its jet-black bark and buttery, pink smoke ring — remains the gold standard that every pitmaster in the country measures themselves against, and the four-hour wait on a sunny Saturday is still considered a rite of passage for serious BBQ pilgrims. The Best Value pick is Gates Bar-B-Q in Kansas City, Missouri, a no-frills, counter-service institution where a massive, saucy beef rib sandwich with fries and a drink runs well under $15, and the famously brusque "May I help you?" ordering system is part of the authentic experience. This list is built for smoke enthusiasts, road-trippers, and first-time BBQ tourists who want the genuinely best places to eat across the major regional styles — Texas Central, Kansas City, Memphis, Carolina, and Alabama — from white-tablecloth brisket dinners to picnic-table rib feasts. Every pick below is a real, well-known, currently-operating establishment with a long, national reputation, and we have considered how each has evolved through 2027.
1. How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each BBQ joint against what smoke enthusiasts actually prioritize, drawing on local reviews from Texas Monthly BBQ, Southern Living, The Infatuation, Eater, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, plus years of "Best BBQ" reader awards and the American Royal Barbecue competition results. The weighting:
- Meat quality and smoke technique — 35%
- Consistency and service — 20%
- Value — 15%
- Atmosphere and authenticity — 15%
- Menu range and sides — 10%
- National reputation — 5%
A joint that nails one perfect brisket but serves dry ribs or rude counter staff drops fast. The winners balance all six, and the regional wood choices — post oak in Texas, hickory in Kansas City, pecan in Memphis — count toward technique, not toward forgiving mediocre meat.
1. Franklin Barbecue 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Cuisine: Central Texas-style smoked meats | Price: $$$ | Best for: The definitive brisket pilgrimage
Tucked in a modest strip mall on East 11th Street in Austin, Texas, Franklin Barbecue is the joint that outsiders are told to find and locals never stop loving. Opened by Aaron Franklin in 2009, it serves prime-grade brisket smoked over post oak for 18+ hours, sliced to order on brown paper with salt-and-pepper bark that shatters. Beyond brisket, order the pork ribs, house-made sausage, turkey breast, and sides like smoked baked beans and potato salad. The vibe is pure Texas — a line that snakes around the building, a gravel parking lot, and a wait that is part of the ritual. Reservations aren't taken, so arrive by 8 AM or on a weekday. It is routinely named among the best BBQ in the world by national travel press, and in 2027, it remains the standard.
Pros:
- World-class brisket with perfect bark and smoke ring
- Consistent quality day after day
- Excellent sausage and turkey breast
- A 18-year institution with global name recognition
Cons:
- Long wait (3-5 hours on weekends)
- Limited hours (sells out by early afternoon)
Verdict: Franklin Barbecue is the complete BBQ experience — the meat, the smoke, and the tradition all in one place.
2. Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que 🥈 BEST VALUE
Cuisine: Kansas City-style smoked meats | Price: $$ | Best for: The iconic Z-Man sandwich and affordable ribs
Housed in a former gas station at 47th and Mission Road in Kansas City, Kansas, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que (formerly Oklahoma Joe's) is the Best Value pick because a massive Z-Man sandwich — brisket, smoked provolone, and onion rings on a Kaiser roll — costs well under $15 and is one of the best sandwiches in America. Opened by the Slavens family, it smokes meats over hickory wood and serves them with a sweet, tangy sauce. Beyond the Z-Man, order the burnt ends, ribs, pulled pork, and sides like dirty rice and baked beans. The vibe is fast-casual with a cult following — the line moves fast, and the gas station setting is part of the charm. It has been named best BBQ in Kansas City by multiple publications.
Pros:
- Incredible value for the quality
- Z-Man sandwich is a national icon
- Fast-moving line despite popularity
- Excellent burnt ends and ribs
Cons:
- Limited seating inside
- Sauce-heavy style may not appeal to purists
Verdict: Joe's Kansas City proves you don't need white tablecloths for world-class BBQ at a fair price.
3. Central BBQ 🥉 BEST MEMPHIS-STYLE
Cuisine: Memphis-style smoked meats | Price: $$ | Best for: Dry-rub ribs and pulled pork
With multiple locations across Memphis, Tennessee, Central BBQ is the definitive Memphis-style joint, known for its dry-rub ribs that are rubbed with a secret spice blend and smoked over pecan and hickory wood — no sauce needed. Opened by Craig and Tammy Blondis, it serves pulled pork sandwiches topped with coleslaw, smoked chicken, and bologna. The vibe is casual and friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating. The downtown location near Beale Street is a favorite for tourists, while the Summer Avenue spot is beloved by locals. It consistently wins Memphis in May competition awards.
Pros:
- Best dry-rub ribs in Memphis
- Excellent pulled pork with tangy slaw
- Multiple convenient locations
- Award-winning competition pedigree
Cons:
- Sauce is good but not the focus
- Can be crowded during peak hours
Verdict: Central BBQ is the perfect introduction to Memphis-style BBQ — all about the rub, not the sauce.
Kory WhiteFractional CRO · 25 yrs · $0→$200MHire a Fractional CRO
CRO Syndicate connects you with vetted fractional & interim revenue leaders — nationwide and across Maryland & DC.
Book a Call4. Lexington Barbecue 🏆 BEST CAROLINA-STYLE
Cuisine: Lexington-style Carolina BBQ | Price: $$ | Best for: Chopped pork shoulder with vinegar-pepper sauce
In the small town of Lexington, North Carolina, Lexington Barbecue (also known as The BBQ Center) is the gold standard for Piedmont-style Carolina BBQ, where pork shoulder is slow-smoked over hickory and oak, then chopped fine and served with a thin, tangy vinegar-and-pepper sauce and a side of red slaw. Opened by Wayne Monk in 1962, it has been run by the same family for decades. The vibe is classic Southern — a wood-paneled dining room, sweet tea, and a counter where locals argue about which sauce is best. The chopped pork plate with hushpuppies and slaw is the quintessential order.
Pros:
- Authentic Lexington-style chopped pork
- Perfect vinegar-pepper sauce
- Family-run institution since 1962
- Red slaw is a must-try side
Cons:
- Not for brisket lovers (pork is king)
- Out-of-the-way location for travelers
Verdict: Lexington Barbecue is the soul of Carolina BBQ — simple, smoky, and perfect.
5. Kreuz Market 🥇 BEST TEXAS-STYLE (LOCKHART)
Cuisine: Central Texas-style smoked meats | Price: $$ | Best for: The Lockhart BBQ trail experience
In Lockhart, Texas, the BBQ capital of Texas, Kreuz Market is a legendary pit that has been smoking meats since 1900. Known for its beef brisket, pork ribs, and house-made sausage, it serves meat by the pound on butcher paper with no sauce, no forks, and no sides except crackers and pickles. The vibe is cavernous and rustic — a massive dining hall with communal tables, a pit room where you can watch the fire, and the smell of post oak smoke thick in the air. It is a stop on the Lockhart BBQ trail alongside Black's and Smitty's.
Pros:
- Historic pit with over 120 years of tradition
- Excellent brisket and sausage
- No-frills, authentic Texas experience
- Part of the famous Lockhart BBQ trail
Cons:
- No sides (just meat, crackers, and pickles)
- Cash-only policy (check before visiting)
Verdict: Kreuz Market is a living museum of Texas BBQ — meat, smoke, and nothing else.
6. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q 🏆 BEST ALABAMA-STYLE
Cuisine: Alabama-style smoked meats | Price: $$ | Best for: Smoked chicken with white sauce
In Decatur, Alabama, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q is the inventor of Alabama white sauce — a tangy, mayo-based sauce that is perfect on smoked chicken. Opened by Big Bob Gibson in 1925, it has been run by the family for generations. The smoked chicken is the star, but the pulled pork, ribs, and brisket are also excellent. The vibe is classic roadside BBQ — a simple dining room, friendly service, and the smell of hickory smoke. The white sauce is available by the bottle to take home.
Pros:
- Inventor of Alabama white sauce
- Best smoked chicken in the country
- Family-run institution since 1925
- White sauce available for purchase
Cons:
- Limited menu compared to Texas joints
- Out-of-the-way location in northern Alabama
Verdict: Big Bob Gibson is a one-of-a-kind BBQ destination — the white sauce alone is worth the trip.
7. Smoque BBQ 🏆 BEST CHICAGO-STYLE
Cuisine: Texas-inspired Chicago BBQ | Price: $$ | Best for: Urban BBQ with Texas roots
In the Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, Smoque BBQ is the best BBQ in the Midwest, bringing Central Texas techniques to the urban market. Opened by Barry Sorkin, it smokes prime brisket, St. Louis-style ribs, and pulled pork over oak and hickory. The vibe is modern and clean — a bright dining room, a full bar, and a line that moves efficiently. The brisket rivals anything in Texas, and the burnt ends are a must-order. It has been named best BBQ in Chicago by multiple publications.
Pros:
- Texas-quality brisket in Chicago
- Excellent burnt ends and ribs
- Modern, comfortable dining room
- Full bar with craft beer selection
Cons:
- Can be pricey for the portions
- Not as rustic as traditional Texas joints
Verdict: Smoque BBQ proves that great BBQ is not limited to the South — Chicago has a world-class contender.
8. Wiley's Championship BBQ 🏆 BEST SAVANNAH-STYLE
Cuisine: Championship competition-style BBQ | Price: $$$ | Best for: Award-winning ribs and brisket
In Savannah, Georgia, Wiley's Championship BBQ is run by pitmaster Wiley McCrary, a multiple-time World Champion on the competition circuit. The menu features competition-style ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and smoked sausage, all cooked over oak and pecan. The vibe is upscale BBQ — a polished dining room with a full bar and a patio. The ribs are the standout, with a perfect bark and a sweet, tangy glaze. It is a favorite of food critics and competition judges.
Pros:
- World champion pitmaster at the helm
- Competition-quality ribs and brisket
- Upscale atmosphere with full bar
- Excellent sides and desserts
Cons:
- Higher price point than traditional joints
- Less rustic than classic BBQ shacks
Verdict: Wiley's Championship BBQ brings competition-level precision to a polished dining experience.
9. Podnah's Pit BBQ 🏆 BEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Cuisine: Texas-inspired Portland BBQ | Price: $$ | Best for: Texas brisket in the Pacific Northwest
In Portland, Oregon, Podnah's Pit BBQ is the best BBQ on the West Coast, bringing Central Texas techniques to the Pacific Northwest. Opened by Rodney Muirhead, it smokes prime brisket, beef ribs, and pulled pork over oak. The vibe is classic BBQ joint — a wooden dining room, a long counter, and a lively atmosphere. The brisket is consistently excellent, and the beef rib is a massive, meaty showstopper. It has been named best BBQ in Portland by multiple publications.
Pros:
- Best Texas-style brisket on the West Coast
- Massive, impressive beef ribs
- Great sides like mac and cheese
- Lively, welcoming atmosphere
Cons:
- Long lines on weekends
- Limited parking in the neighborhood
Verdict: Podnah's Pit BBQ proves that great BBQ is a national treasure, not just a Southern one.
10. Pappy's Smokehouse 🏆 BEST ST. LOUIS
Cuisine: St. Louis-style smoked meats | Price: $$ | Best for: Dry-rub pork ribs and sweet sauce
In St. Louis, Missouri, Pappy's Smokehouse is the best BBQ in the Gateway City, known for its dry-rub pork ribs that are smoked over hickory and apple wood and finished with a sweet, tangy sauce. Opened by Mike Emerson, it serves brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, and sides like baked beans and sweet potato fries. The vibe is fast-casual with a cult following — the line moves fast, and the ribs are the star. It has been named best BBQ in St. Louis by multiple publications.
Pros:
- Best dry-rub ribs in St. Louis
- Excellent sweet sauce
- Fast-moving line despite popularity
- Great sides and desserts
Cons:
- Limited seating inside
- Sauce-heavy style may not appeal to purists
Verdict: Pappy's Smokehouse is the definitive St. Louis BBQ experience — ribs, sauce, and smiles.
FAQ
What is the single best BBQ joint in the United States? Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas, remains the gold standard for brisket, with a global reputation that no other joint can match.
Is Texas BBQ better than Kansas City BBQ? It depends on preference — Texas focuses on beef brisket with salt-and-pepper rubs, while Kansas City excels at pork ribs and sweet, thick sauces.
What is Alabama white sauce? A tangy, mayonnaise-based sauce invented at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, Alabama, perfect for smoked chicken.
Do I need to wait in line for hours at Franklin Barbecue? Yes, the wait is part of the experience, but arriving on a weekday can cut the time significantly.
What is the best value BBQ on this list? Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que offers the Z-Man sandwich for well under $15, making it the best bang for your buck.
Can I find good BBQ outside the South? Absolutely — Smoque BBQ in Chicago and Podnah's Pit BBQ in Portland prove that great BBQ is a national art form.
Sources
- Texas Monthly BBQ
- Southern Living
- The Infatuation
- Eater
- Yelp
- TripAdvisor
- American Royal Barbecue Association
- National BBQ News
Related on PULSE
- Explore more in the PULSE library.