A number of years ago, we asked Sky readers: Where’s your favorite barbecue joint?
It seemed like such a simple question. . . . But the answers! The torrent of tips! The cascade of ’cue! The bonanza of buns, slaw, hot sauce, cobbler and sweet tea.
Traveling this holiday? You might want to check out the reader recommendations below or click on Sky’s hundreds of reader recommendations, organized state by state and available online. To see even more barbecue recommendations—or make one—visit my Barbecue Blog, Cue Confessions, where you’ll find not one, but two posts on the subject.
- I’m a pilot for Delta and get a chance to try barbecue places all over the country. Here are my absolute favorites (in order): Whole Hog Cafe—Little Rock, Arkansas, Corky’s BBQ—Memphis, Tennessee, Dinosaur BBQ—Syracuse and Rochester, New York, Jim and Nick’s—Birmingham, Alabama, Neely’s BBQ—Memphis, Tennessee
- Your list is missing the best BBQ in Los Angeles—Dr. Hogly Wogly’s Tyler Texas BBQ. They say the beef ribs here come straight out of Jurassic Park.
- Vandy’s in Statesboro, Georgia, where the ’cue is smoked over an open pit until the outside is burnt and crispy, and the inside is tender as pork can ever be. The two contrasting textures are then chopped into a succulent mixture, drizzled with a tangy, vinegary-sweet sauce worthy of drinking by itself, and served—as it should be—on plain white bread.
- The completely authentic Cooper’s Country Store in Salters, South Carolina, is without dining room, but you can step over the dog on the front steps and go on in to get you a sandwich and a Yoo-hoo to go.
- If Jim Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que (with not 1 but 2 locations in Terminal B of the Memphis airport) is not on your list, it should be. The chopped shoulder sandwich with a smidgen of slaw and a dollop of their special sauce was just the ticket for two weary travelers on their way home from California.
“When you meet someone else who loves BBQ—It’s like talking to an old friend right away!”—Bob Herndon, President Atlanta BBQ
David
Delta Sky Magazine
December 24th, 2008 at 11:55 am
I noticed this wasn’t mentioned anywhere: when my dad was traveling to Chicago for business, every few weeks he would bring home ribs, chicken, and a lot of other stuff from a restaurant named Carson’s. It is easily the best BBQ I’ve ever had. Here’s their website: http://www.ribs.com.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Oh man, I don’t see E&L Barbecue on your list. I was just in Jackson, MS and this place is fantastic. Excellent ribs and chicken. Mmm, it sounds good right now . . .
January 5th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
I’m going to throw Corky’s BBQ into the mix. Everything there is delicious and have both dry and wet ribs!