Atlanta Good Food category interest

1 / 50

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Alabama

Saw’s BBQ, Homewood

This hole-in-the-wall barbecue joint makes some of the most delicious ribs and pulled meat in the country. While the pork products made Saw’s BBQ popular, the pulled chicken with white sauce is not to be missed. Be prepared to wait in line!

2 / 50

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Alaska

TaTu BBQ, Anchorage

The owner of TaTu BBQ specializes in Carolina and Texas-style barbecue, but he opened his own restaurant to create old-fashioned barbecue he couldn’t find anywhere else. The food isn’t the only thing that has Anchorage residents talking—TaTu BBQ also smokes barbecue for wounded troops as a part of their program, BBQ4Wounded.

3 / 50

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Arizona

Little Miss BBQ, Phoenix

This is another small but superb place serving barbecue in the style of Central Texas, and you’ll want to get there early for their masterful pulled pork, buttery brisket and smoked turkey. Don’t forget dessert—the smoked pecan pie at Little Miss BBQ is unique and delicious!

4 / 50

Arkansas

Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, Marianna

James Beard awards aren’t handed out willy-nilly, so the fact that Jones Bar-B-Q earned one in 2012 says a lot about its quality. This is one of America’s best barbecue joints! The famous pork sandwiches are dressed with a tangy vinegar-based sauce, and a light, mustardy slaw can be added as the perfect accompaniment.

Find barbecue recipes that will turn you into a famous pitmaster.

5 / 50

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California

Copper Top BBQ, Big Pine

This tiny establishment was named America’s Best Restaurant by Yelpers in 2015, and that many peer reviewers can’t be wrong! Things have only gotten better since then; tri-tip is the star of Copper Top‘s show, and they’ve mastered ribs, pulled pork and chicken, too.

7 / 50

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Connecticut

Hoodoo Brown BBQ, Ridgefield

Named for the leader of the notorious Dodge City Gang of Las Vegas in the late 1800s, Hoodoo Brown BBQ serves a mixture of various barbecue styles from around the country (appropriately dubbed “outlaw barbecue”). Their pork belly is next to none, with crispy skin and a rich, juicy bite.

9 / 50

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Florida

Shiver’s Bar-B-Q, Homestead

Owned and operated by the same family for more than 60 years, it’s no surprise that Shiver’s Bar-B-Q is one of the best barbecue restaurants in America. In addition to great food, you’ll also experience wonderful hospitality. For something different, try the fluffy and fantastic cornbread souffle.

10 / 50

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Georgia

Fox Bros Bar-B-Q, Atlanta

As the name suggests, two Texan brothers run Fox Bros Bar-B-Q in northeast Atlanta. They serve plenty of pork, but since they are from Texas, beef is the star. You can even get a huge beef rib that was named one of Atlanta’s iconic dishes by Eater in 2015.

We found the best fried chicken in every state, too!

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Hawaii

Bob’s Bar-B-Que, Kalihi

Bob’s Bar-B-Que serves up barbecue with a serious Hawaiian twist and influences from all over the world. They offer kalbi ribs (Korean-style beef short ribs) and chicken katsu (Japanese-style breaded chicken), and they make their own teriyaki that can be used to sauce any meat.

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Illinois

17th Street Barbecue, Murphysboro

Featured on Food Network and Travel Channel and the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, 17th Street Barbecue is a landmark establishment. One thing that makes them stand out among barbecue restaurants is their use of their trademarked “magic dust” rub, which you can purchase in their shop.

14 / 50

Indiana

Bombers BBQ, Munster

Burnt ends are the specialty at Bombers BBQ, which boasts that all of their meats are smoked a minimum of 15 hours. The staff is particularly friendly, and visitors should be prepared to be bombarded with military paraphernalia—it’s their entire motif.

15 / 50

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Iowa

Smokey D’s BBQ, Des Moines

Choices abound at Smokey D’s—their championship-level meat offerings include chopped pork, pulled chicken, pit ham and burnt ends, among others. If you doubt that this is one of the best barbecue restaurants in America, look no further than their huge (and full!) trophy case for affirmation.

16 / 50

Kansas

Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City

Consistently on “best of” lists and often at the top, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que was originally a gas station. That doesn’t slow them down at all, as you’ll find world-famous ribs and brisket that always meet high standards. They’ve even earned Anthony Bourdain‘s seal of approval.

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Kentucky

Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, Owensboro

Mutton is on the menu at this revered Kentucky restaurant. Moonlite Bar-B-Q has been serving it, along with more typical barbecue fare, for more than 60 years, and to say that they’ve mastered its proper preparation would be quite the understatement.

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Louisiana

The Joint, New Orleans

This place pays homage to its location with chaurice sausage, a classic Creole pork sausage seasoned with fresh vegetables. Since opening in 2004, their meats, smoked on-site, have only gotten better and more popular. Smoke is so important to The Joint that even the salad comes with a smoked dressing. Try New Orleans-style recipes at home.

19 / 50

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Maine

Salvage BBQ, Portland

Delicious meats of all kinds are served at this hip Maine restaurant. As a bonus, Salvage BBQ offers beef fat fries, stellar mac and cheese and hush puppies that you won’t soon forget! For those who don’t mind sharing, the Meat Coma is a great option—it includes 1/4 rack of ribs, 1/3 pound of brisket and chopped pork, plus a cup of chili.

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Maryland

Chaps Pit Beef, Baltimore

Maryland’s idea of barbecue is a bit different from that of any other state. They’ve perfected pit beef, which is essentially a roast beef sandwich with a bit of charcoal and smoky flavor, and no one does it better than Chaps.

See what other food Maryland is famous for.

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Massachusetts

B.T.’s Smokehouse, Sturbridge

This small-town joint specializes in slow-smoked and dry-rubbed barbecue. The brisket at B.T.’s Smokehouse is thought by many to be the best in all of New England. Literally thousands of pounds of meat are smoked for their customers each week!

24 / 50

Mississippi

The Shed Barbecue andamp; Blues Joint, Ocean Springs

As the name implies, this place is a must-visit for all lovers of barbecued meat and blues. The Shed often features live music to accompany delicious smoked baby back and spare ribs, which you can enjoy seated on picnic tables beneath string lights.

25 / 50

Missouri

Pappy’s Smokehouse, St. Louis

Pappy’s is the go-to barbecue joint in St. Louis (and one of the best barbecue restaurants in America). They favor Memphis-style barbecue, focusing on dry-rubbed ribs sprinkled with brown sugar and cooked low and slow over apple and cherry wood. The resulting meat has a delicious blend of smoky and sweet flavors.

26 / 50

Montana

The Notorious P.I.G., Missoula

A clever name isn’t the only thing this restaurant has going for it. The Notorious P.I.G. serves impressively barbecued meats inspired by St. Louis methods and flavors, including pastrami and tri-tip sirloin, which aren’t often seen on a tour of the best barbecue restaurants.

28 / 50

Nevada

John Mull’s Road Kill Grill, Las Vegas

As you might expect, John Mull’s dishes out some interesting fare. In addition to staples like brisket and ribs, you can also visit their market and walk away with goat, frog legs and buffalo burgers, among other unique selections.

The most iconic foods from every U.S. state might surprise you.

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New Hampshire

Goody Cole’s Smokehouse, Brentwood

The menu is small at this joint, but that means they’re focusing on quality over quantity. The brisket is not to be missed, and the cornbread receives rave reviews. Goody Cole’s uses all hickory wood in the smoker, a fact made evident with one whiff of the air around the restaurant.

30 / 50

via redwhiteandquesmokehouse.com

New Jersey

Red White and Que Smokehouse, Kearny

This patriotic establishment is working hard to engender a spirit of camaraderie, slow-cooking their meats to perfection and creating really tasty sides from scratch. The BBQ Sundae stands out on their menu, consisting of meat and smoked baked beans topped with coleslaw and pickles and served in a Mason jar.

32 / 50

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New York

Hometown Bar-B-Que, Brooklyn

Another rookie, Hometown Bar-B-Que has only been open since 2013 but they’ve already achieved great things. Their smoked meats include lamb belly, something not often seen on barbecue menus, and their plating is elegant with garnishes on the meats.

33 / 50

North Carolina

Skylight Inn BBQ, Ayden

Unless you prefer Lexington-style barbecue (red sauce on pork shoulder), Skylight Inn is the place to go in North Carolina. They favor the Eastern style—they use the whole hog, and they’ve been using it very well since 1947. They also serve a plain and simply perfect vinegar sauce.

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Ohio

Eli’s BBQ, Cincinnati

Patrons rave about this modest joint’s pulled pork and baked beans in particular. For a particularly appetizing twist, customers at Eli’s BBQ can choose to make their side dishes “dirty” by topping them with pork cracklings. Talk about a treat!

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Pennsylvania

Mission BBQ, Harrisburg

Mission BBQ had us at three simple words: barbecue glazed shrimp. The Harrisburg location offers a complimentary piece of cornbread with each entree. Can’t decide which smoked meat to treat? Opt for the sampler and get a little of everything.

40 / 50

South Carolina

Carolina BBQ, Spartanburg

Lexington-style barbecue is on the menu of this cozy restaurant. The ribs leave visitors wanting more and keep the locals coming back time and time again. Carolina BBQ even serves homemade Brunswick stew, which is a barbecue classic that needs a comeback.

47 / 50

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Washington

Jack’s BBQ, Seattle

This is another Northwest restaurant focusing on Central Texas-style barbecue. The brisket at Jack’s BBQ is remarkably tender and flavorful and requires no sauce whatsoever, and Frito pie, a beloved Texas classic, is even on their expansive and straightforward menu.

49 / 50

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Wisconsin

Bob’s Bitchin’ BBQ, Dodgeville

You’ll find all the typical barbecue fare at Bob’s, including smoked pork chops. Since Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland and famous for its cheese, you’d be remiss if you left without trying the battered cheese curds.

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Wyoming

HQ Southern BBQ, Evansville

HQ Southern BBQ smokes its meat daily, and the ribs and pulled pork are both worth a try. But people really seem to love the Epic Mac-n-Cheese, made with a rich three-cheese and cream combination.