What States Have The Best BBQ in America?

America's BBQ Capitals: A Guide to the Best Regional Barbecue Styles

This article explores some of the major contenders for the title of "best BBQ city" in the country, highlighting their unique characteristics and iconic dishes.

Kansas City, Missouri: Burnt Ends and Barbecue Society

Kansas City, Missouri, is a strong contender for the BBQ crown. It's home to the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), the world's largest organization of barbecue enthusiasts, judges, and competitors, boasting over 20,000 members worldwide (not 8,000 as stated in the original text) (Source: KCBS website). This demonstrates Kansas City's central role in the competitive and culinary world of barbecue.

• Kansas City Style: Known for its thick, sweet, tomato-and-molasses-based barbecue sauce, Kansas City BBQ features a wide variety of meats, including beef, pork, and chicken. A signature dish is "burnt ends," the crispy, caramelized edges of smoked brisket.
• Key Restaurants: Arthur Bryant's, Gates Bar-B-Q, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que (formerly Oklahoma Joe's), LC's Bar-B-Q.

Memphis, Tennessee: Dry Rubs and Pork Ribs

Memphis, Tennessee, is another major player in the BBQ world, famous for its focus on pork, particularly ribs.

• Memphis Style: Memphis BBQ is typically characterized by its dry rub, a mixture of spices applied to the meat before smoking. While some restaurants offer "wet" ribs (with sauce), the dry rub is the defining feature. Pork ribs and pulled pork sandwiches are the specialties.
• Key Restaurants: Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous, Central BBQ, Payne's Bar-B-Que, The Bar-B-Q Shop. (Note: The original text mentions 142 barbecue establishments, which is a plausible number for a city of Memphis' size.)

Texas: A State Divided (by BBQ)

Texas is so large and its BBQ traditions so diverse that it's best understood as having multiple distinct styles:

• Central Texas: Originating in the meat markets of towns like Lockhart, Taylor, and Elgin, Central Texas BBQ is all about the beef. Brisket, smoked low and slow over post oak wood, is the star. Sauce is typically served on the side, if at all.
  • Key Restaurants: Franklin Barbecue (Austin), Kreuz Market (Lockhart), Smitty's Market (Lockhart), Louie Mueller Barbecue (Taylor).
• East Texas: East Texas BBQ often features chopped beef and pork, served on a bun with a sweeter, tomato-based sauce.
• South Texas: Influenced by Mexican cuisine, South Texas BBQ often features barbacoa (traditionally cooked in an underground pit).
• West Texas: "Cowboy style" BBQ, cooked directly over mesquite wood.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, while having a growing BBQ scene, is not generally considered the epicenter of Texas BBQ. The statement about Danny Meyer being an "American Royal Barbecue Hall of Famer" is incorrect; Danny Meyer is a New York City restaurateur known for Shake Shack and Union Square Hospitality Group, not a Texas pitmaster.

Other Notable BBQ Regions (Beyond the "Big Four")

• North Carolina: Known for its vinegar-and-pepper-based sauces and whole-hog barbecue (Eastern NC) or pork shoulder (Lexington/Piedmont style).
• South Carolina: Famous for its mustard-based barbecue sauce, often served with pulled pork.
• Alabama: Known for its white sauce (mayonnaise-based).
• Orlando: It was stated that Orlando is known for its smoked turkey legs.

The "Best" BBQ city in the United States is a matter of personal preference, regional pride, and endless debate. Kansas City, Memphis, and the various regions of Texas all offer distinct and delicious styles of barbecue, each with its own unique history and traditions. Exploring these different BBQ capitals is a culinary adventure, a chance to savor the diverse flavors and techniques that make American barbecue a true national treasure. While the original text mentions Orlando, it's not typically considered a major barbecue destination in the same league as the others, although it certainly has barbecue restaurants. The key is focusing on the established BBQ regions.