First off let me say, this is not my list, so don't crucify me if your favorite BBQ places isn't on here. I understand. I am just the middleman, reporting what a well-respected magazine published in the last week.
We all know what Southern Living is. I dare say that most of the people who read this blog have/had mothers who were faithful subscribers to the magazine. I know my mother was, and I know M is. It truly is the magazine of the South.
On my Instagram account, I follow Southern Living. They will have interesting stories and the like and frequently will publish articles on food or have lists of some of their favorite places. That is the purpose of today's blog.
This (Wednesday) morning, one of their stories popped up and caught my eye. It was entitled "The No. 1 BBQ Joint in the South is in South Carolina. See the list of the top 50."
Well, don't have to ask me twice, I love lists, and if they involve food, I am twice as interested. To me, in the summer, BBQ is one of the food groups. Two or three months ago I wrote a blog on my favorite types of BBQ, and that list hasn't changed, pork steaks are still on top. But this was a list of the Top 50 BBQ restaurants. You know what I was anxious to see? How many of the top 50 places I had been to. The answer was more than one but less than ten. I'll give you my list in just a bit.
The folks at Southern Living did their homework. Not only did they name their top 50 BBQ restaurants, there in depth reviews of each one, talking about why they are special, their location and what cuts they are famous for, but some of the reviews also tell you what kind of wood they burn. It's great culinary reading.
The top 50 are spread across nine southern states. As you might expect, Texas, with 17, has the most. South Carolina is second with 11, followed by North Carolina with six, and Tennessee with five. Alabama, Georgia and Virginia each have three restaurants listed, followed by Kentucky and Maryland, who each have one.
One thing I found amazing is 14 of the 50 are found in just four cities. Charleston, South Carolina, which may be the culinary capitol of the South leads the way with five restaurants on the list. Auston, Memphis and Lockhart, Texas each had three restaurants listed. To be honest, I'm not real sure where Lockhart, Texas is. I think it is near Austin.
Since most of you are from Alabama, you are probably wondering who the three BBQ joints are they made the list. They are...
No. 21 - Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur
No. 18 - Archibald's in Northport
No. 11 - Dreamland in Tuscaloosa
Now the three I have been two m I would guess you have heard of all three
No. 50 - Rendezvous in Memphis
No. 41 - Rodney Scott's in Charleston, SC
No, 21 - Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur.
The Top Three in Southern Livings's countdown of the Top 50 BBQ Restaurants in the South is as follows.
No. 3 - Fresh Aire BBQ in Jackson, GA
No. 2 - Snow's BBQ in Lexington, Texas
No. 1 - City Limits BBQ in West Columbia, SC
Of course we all have our own favorites that we feel are worthy of recognition, and I certainly am no exception. My faves not listed include...
Nick's in Carlisle, AR
The BBQ Hut in Sulligent, AL
OK Corral BBQ in Muscle Shoals
Pappy John's Original BBQ in Selmer, TN
Michelbob's in Naples, FL
Wright's BBQ in Fayetteville, AR
Dexter BBQ in Dexter, MO
Sugarfire in Washington, MO
Whole Hog Cafe in North Little Rock, AR
The point is, almost all BBQ is good. I have no doubt if you go to any of the places listed, on Southern Living's list, or my list, you are going to have a wonderful experience.
One final thing, when eating BBQ in the South, it is ok, even considered a compliment to lick the sauce off your fingers while sitting at the table.
Have a great rest of the week. Hopefully you can fire up your grill at some point. Be kind to each other, see you down the road.
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