2024's Top 7 Cities With The Best Barbecue Joints

Although Barbeque originated in the Caribbean, these days it is as quintessential to the US as baseball and apple pie. Across the country, travelers will find a wide array of barbequed meats–each prepared differently depending on where you are. In Memphis, saucy, tangy pork will be on the menu, whereas in Texas, you’re more likely to find dry-rubbed brisket.

Between the different ingredients and variety of cooking methods, one thing remains the same across the board–barbeque is delicious. So if you’re looking to get your hands on some, check out these top seven cities with the best barbeque joints.

Kansas City, Missouri

Dubbed The Barbeque Capital of the World, Kansas City has been a hot spot for barbeque since the early 1900s. Even today–over 100 years after Henry Perry first introduced his unique style of smoked meats to the people of KC–the city remains a hub for pit masters and BBQ lovers. Kansas City is also credited with inventing burnt ends, a mouth-watering dish made from brisket trimmings.

Arthur Bryant of Arthur Bryant’s BBQ was one of the first to serve this delicious treat. A 1972 Playboy article by journalist Calvin Trillin praised the burnt ends as the best part of Bryant’s BBQ, describing them as a free snack that diners could enjoy. Nowadays, burnt ends are made from fatty brisket chunks cooked to perfection, but you’ll have to pay for these tasty morsels—they’re no longer handed out for free!

Those looking for places to eat barbeque in Kansas City will be spoiled for choice, as there are over 100 BBQ spots to choose from. Of course, Arthur Bryant’s is a must-visit for ribs and burnt ends. However, places like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que and Q39 are highly reviewed and beloved by both locals and visitors.

Fayetteville, North Carolina

North Carolina barbeque can be broken down into two camps: Lexington style and Eastern style. Both styles favor pork as the preferred meat but differ slightly when it comes to sauce. In typical North Carolina fashion, both styles use a vinegar base, but Lexington-style barbeque includes the addition of tomato (usually ketchup) in their sauce. Eastern style is also known for using the “whole hog” while Lexington style usually sticks to pork shoulder.

In Fayetteville, travelers will find a wide range of BBQ joints serving up delectable Eastern and Lexington-style eats. Those hoping to get their hands on some of the best barbeque in the city will want to check out local hot spot, The Barbeque Hut. The Hut has been voted ‘best barbeque in Fayetteville' for 27 out of 28 years. Spots such as South Side Smoke Shack and Mac's Speed Shop are also worth visiting during a trip to Fayetteville.

Those willing to take a roughly 60-mile road trip outside the city will also have the chance to try Grady's Barbecue in Dudley, North Carolina. Steve and Geral Grady, the founders of the popular BBQ spot were awarded the “first NC Barbecue Revival Lifetime Achievement Award.” Additionally, in 2024 the restaurant owners were inducted into the North Carolina BBQ Hall of Fame.

Houston, Texas

They say everything is bigger in Texas, but what about the barbecue? Unsurprisingly, BBQ has deep ties to The Lone Star State. One notable figure from the state’s past is Matt Garner, the Barbeque Barron. Although Garner passed away in 1945, he was recently inducted into the 2024 Barbeque Hall of Fame as a legacy Member. In the 1920s, Garner ran Matt Garner’s Bar-B-Q and was responsible for combining Creole flavors from his childhood with BBQ techniques used by formerly enslaved people in the South.

This combination is known today as East Texas-style and is a beloved Houston staple. Although Matt Garner’s Bar-B-Q is no longer open, visitors can still find plenty of East Texas-style barbeque to enjoy. Local favorites include Pinkerton’s and Truth BBQ. Unlike other regional styles of barbeque that are commonly slow-cooked over charcoal, Texas uses wood-burning pits to cook their meat (commonly brisket or beef ribs) to sweet, smoky perfection. 

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis-style barbeque leans heavily toward pork and commonly uses a dry rub filled with up to 40 different spices–this is what sets Memphis BBQ apart from its competitors. Henry Perry, who later went on to find massive success in Kansas City, was born not far from Memphis and brought many local techniques and flavors with him to Missouri. Today, visitors will find an abundance of charcoal pits cooking up some of the best pulled pork in The Volunteer State.

Starting with Memphis’s oldest BBQ restaurant–Leonard’s Pit Barbeque originally opened in 1922 and has been a family-friendly staple ever since. A longtime customer on the Leonard’s Pit website shares that after trying barbecue all over the country, nothing compares to Leonard’s Pit BBQ. They reminisced about enjoying their first meals there as a teenager on dates in the early 1960s, and it quickly became their favorite spot, with their boyfriends agreeing it was the best place to go.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Home to former president Bill Clinton’s all-time favorite BBQ restaurant–Hot Springs, Arkansas is a great spot to sink your teeth into some tender, sweet, slow-cooked meats. To start your Hot Springs trip off on the right foot, head to Clinton’s preferred spot, McClard's Bar-B-Q. The award-winning restaurant offers hungry travelers a delectable selection of pork, beef, and their famous family-made tamales.

Although Arkansas doesn’t have one specific style of barbeque to define the state, travelers can expect plenty of brisket or pork sandwiches, piled high with coleslaw, pickles, and onions. Beans on the side are also common here. Other noteworthy BBQ spots in Hot Spring include Smokin' in Style BBQ and Stubby's BBQ. Those hoping to try even more can venture out on the Arkansas BBQ Trail which features over 20 of the best barbeque joints in the state.

Chicago, Illinois

When thinking about the Windy City, most people’s minds head straight to pizza, but Chicago serves up some seriously good barbeque as well. Best known for using “Mumbo Sauce” and cooking their meat in “aquarium-style smokers,” Chicago BBQ has its own unique flavor. That said, it’s easy to find all varieties of BBQ here from Memphis to Texas style and everything in between.

One of the best places in town to eat BBQ is Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern. Open and operating since 1932, Twin Anchors is a favorite among locals and celebrities. The likes of Conan O'Brien, Chris Farley, and Frank Sinatra are among the many famous people who have fallen in love with this storied Chicago staple. Sinatra, in particular, raved about the BBQ ribs and would have them shipped to him while on the road, according to the restaurant's website. While in Chicago places like Green Street Smoked Meats and Lillie’s Q are also worth visiting.

Owensboro, Kentucky

When looking for Kentucky-style barbeque, there’s no better place than Owensboro. Recognized locally as the BBQ Capital, Owensboro is filled with delicious BBQ joints serving up thinly sliced mutton–a staple of Kentucky. Those who don’t love mutton will also find the classics such as pork, chicken, and brisket in town as well. Along the Western Kentucky BBQ Trail, travelers will find three major stops in Owensboro: Ole South Barbecue, Old Hickory Bar-B-Q, and Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn. Open since 1995, 1918, and 1963 respectively, these BBQ joints have been impressing crowds of hungry customers for years and remain staples in the city.

In Conclusion

Between the different methods of cooking, variations on sauces and rubs, and a wide range of meats–the U.S. is home to some of the best barbeque in the world. Whether you’re daring enough to try the BBQ mutton in Kentucky or want to stick to classic pork dishes in Kansas City, the US has you covered. And because this method of cooking has such a long, rich history, there is always something new to learn at these incredible BBQ joints.