Texas claims it’s the home of barbecue. But according to a recent list on TripAdvisor.com, the Lone Star state comes in third behind Georgia and North Carolina. CNN affiliate WFAA went to a few well known barbecue joints in Dallas to get reaction from residents.
But the debate wasn't only flaring up in Texas. As soon as word of the list spread across CNN bureaus, our inboxes ignited with passionate missives from editors, anchors, producers and even members of our legal team stumping for their regional favorites.
Advocates for North Carolina (East and West), South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas all made passionate cases - which we'll share in the next few days - but we want to hear from you. Was the TripAdvisor list accurate in its selection of Georgia as the top 'cue destination, or would you suggest another?
Share your top regions and specific barbecue joints in the comments below (they must be open to the public - though surely your cousin Earl makes excellent ribs), and we'll assemble your picks and ours for a follow-up in the near future.
Previously:
Eat This List: 9 tips for judging (and winning) competition barbecue
5 slices of barbecue wisdom
Risk a brisket on the grill
How to cook ribs
Picking the pig, flipping the hog
Busting barbecue myths
Rescue group brings relief in the form of barbecue
See all grilling wisdom on Eatocracy
I have lived in GA for 18 years. I have also lived in Texas, Arkansas, CA, MD and MO. The only world class BBQ in GA is in someones (often my) backyard. Memphis is next followed close by TX – only becuz I prefer pork to brisket. KC and AR do a decent job. MO too, especially in the bootheel. CA? hahahahahaha!
Um, good bbq is about both the meat and the sauce...if your good at one but not the other, then it shouldn't be on a list. Kansas City has the best bbq choices in the world, so obviously the judges hadn't made it there. As far as Texas bbq goes, they are all about the meat, as I compare their sauce to taking an empty ketchup bottle, adding water and shaking really well. When there is no sauce, in my opinion, then it is not bbq, it is just grilling
I agree. the sauce is like the icing on the cake. Some people like pound cake better than iced cake, but not me.
I disagree...sauce is what one uses to mask low-quality BBQ. Good BBQ should stand on its own without a crutch.
Franklin BBQ,Austin,Texas. Don't need sauce,pure Texas BBQ. Nuff said. Give it a try and Thank me later.
Uh no, if you need a bunch of sauce it's not barbequed well. I love good sauce but it shouldn't be crucial to the flavor of the meat it usually means the place overcooked the meat/cooked it too fast and needs to add sauce to mask it.
Umm!!!! I live in Georiga now but born and raised in Texas soooo where the HECK am i supposed to get some good BBQ?
If you are looking for BBQ... Look no further than Black's BBQ in Lockhart, TX. #blacksbbq
Longhorn is not delicious and they have dry Q. I've never liked Texas Q.
Flying around the country affords me the opporutnity to satisfy my palate in nearly every major city. If you want to experience the best "Wet or Dry" BBQ money can buy, pay a visit to "Central BBQ" in Memphis, TN. Simply Amazing!
I'll second that...Central BBQ is my absolute favorite.
Although I'll admit I want to venture over to Marianna, AR and try Jones BBQ. I want to see what about it is deserving of a Beard award.
Kansas city BBQ is the best. With all the renowned BBQ places like Gates, Oklahoma Joe's and Jack Stack's, you get every kind of spin and flavor on BBQ there is. Also, Arthur Bryant's is known across the country as being one THE hot spots for good BBQ. If you've been to KC and you haven't had any of these places than you didn't get what you came for.
Preach it! Jack Stack is my personal fave.
Amen to that! Mine too!
Seriously thought Texas bbq tasted awful. Sorry Texas. I'm from Western KY and I love our style BBQ. If you don't have good Q without the all that sauce you don't have nothing. The meat shouldn't be hidden under all that nasty sauce.
You obviously haven't been to real Texas BBQ. Real Texas bbq doesn't use ANY sauce. In fact, most places wont even allow it in the restaurant.
I agree about Western Ky BBQ. I've lived in GA for 20 years and still have folks up in Ky send me care packages. Nothing beats that slow-cooked hickory flavor.
You know, tastes in BBQ differ among people. What one person thinks is the best ever, another could not care less about. Everyone likes something different. That's what makes America great! We have freedom of choice. Some people think Kansas City BBQ is the best. I was there, had it, it was OK. But I've had good BBQ in many places. This really isn't something to get all worked up about.
The best BBQ in the world is the BBQ I make at home
First I buy the finest Hormel ribs at the store when they hit $2 a pound
Then I start up my $200 gas grill, smoking ribs for 8 hours doesnt add anything to the flavor
I slather the ribs in the finest bottled BBQ sauce from Walmart, I dont skimp, I get Kraft, the good stuff
Grill the ribs for 30 minutes and BAM the best ribs in the world are done
I guarantee that these ribs will beat any restaurant ribs in the world, its funny how much I would destroy them in a BBQ contest
Texas can suck it! – Pork makes the BBQ!
Pork makes good bacon. That's it.