I try local barbecue at least once a week while traveling. There are two key things I will look for: a visible stack of wood in Google Street View and a mention on their website that says something like, "Get here early because we tend to run out." 
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Spending my life in two states (Georgia first, then Alabama), and spending a lot of time in Tennessee, I've not even heard of the top picks for those states. Of course, I've been gone from metro Atlanta for decades now, and while their top pick sounds interesting, it can't be that old, or I would have heard of it.
The fact that this is based on reviews only and not actually eating there is kinda sketchy.Comment
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ecowper yeah - at the very BOTTOM of the listing, it describes their methodology, which began with choosing places that had the best reviews already. Even though the article starts by implying "we went out to find" the best BBQ restaurant, they didn't really go there themselves. It's based on online reviews, menu variety, etc.
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Maybe it was a bad night, but my one time at Joe's in KS wasn't a good experience. Brisket was sliced so thin you could see through it, but at the same time it also like eating a rubber band it so chewy.
Haven't eaten at Clark Crew in OK, but I was situated next to Travis at a comp. He is very entertaining and supremely confident in his cooking, which he has right to be considering how well he does in KCBS comps. FWIW, he did divulge that the sausages he serves are a collaboration with The Czech Stop in West, TX that serve the most amazing kolaches.Comment
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Animales is the best I've had in MN. They make great stuff.
I have been to the Notorious P.I.G in Missoula as well and it was the best BBQ I had in MT.Comment
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Delaware certainly isn't the mecca of BBQ, but I've been to a number of places that are better than Limestone BBQ.
When the reviewer has to note that they have good bourbon to prop them up to best status, how good are they really?
I'm wondering if the reviewer never bothered to wander down state to Sussex County. Some of the best BBQ I've ever had was served up at roadside stands near Lewes..Comment
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Well everyone knows New Jersey is a true BBQ destination. My vote would have been Mutiny BBQ in Asbury Park, which is (a) near me and (b) got a shout out in Texas Monthly. I have lived here my whole life (outside of a few years in FL for college) and I've never been to that area of this tiny state - that is Jersey Devil territory.
Also not that familiar with Tasting Table or why anyone should care what they say. I am finding that many of these "best" lists are created with the goal of generating engagement on social media, whether bad or good - like saying Papa John's has the best pizza in NYC.
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Actually, John's Times Square (not Papa John's) has some of the best pizza I've ever had..
Although to be honest, in the 5 years my daughter was in school in NY, we probably had pizza in at least 20 different places, and all but one were some of the best pizzas I've ever had 🤷♂️
I really miss Goodfella's on Staten Island.. 😪
It might be time for a road trip 🤔
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I’ve heard of Podnah’s in Portland, OR but never been. Not sure if we’ll make it there ever being in Portland, but I’ll bookmark it to try.Comment
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ecowper, since you seem determined to flee Washington for disaster prone Florida, you owe the Pit, and your soon to be estranged Washington colleagues, a review of Jakes's, err Jack's.
I can get to both Seattle and Spokane. Step up!Comment
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I was born and raised in Kansas City but now live in Pennsylvania near Philly (Bucks County). PA is not a BBQ Mecca but there are a few spots in the area. I can't speak to Mitch's because it's in Pittsburgh and I'm not driving 400 miles to eat dinner. St. Louis was chosen for Missouri so I can't speak to that but think it's a snub, there are at least 4 BBQ shops in KCMO that would rival any place for sweet KC BBQ in my opinion. The places I know about in KC straddle the state line so it is hard to place them in one state or the other. Joe's is a solid choice but it's not alone. There is Q39, Jack Stack, Slacks, and my favorite, Arthur Bryant's. There is also Gates if you prefer old style not sweet bbq.
I have eaten at Saw's in Birmingham, AL several times and was very disappointed. I think I had brisket and it was dry and tasted like overdone roast beef. That could be what you will get at 3:00 PM on a Wednesday though. My wife said the chicken was great.Comment
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I can't speak to KC bbq, but living in Alabama for 37 years of my adult life, brisket is not common at most BBQ joints here, and I rarely saw it until some of the "new wave" BBQ joints started chasing after it in the past 5-10 years, in an attempt to replicate Texas BBQ. I still don't see it widely, but one place in town - Chuck Wagon BBQ - does a decent job of it. Most places I just shy away, and stick with what I know they do good - pulled pork, or chicken.
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I have never been to Jack's but will think about giving it a try. Two of the 6 Jack's locations are convenient and the other 4 aren't that far a drive depending on traffic. The Fried Chick Shack and the Jacalope Catalina look interesting as well.
Jack's Yelp reviews, depending on location, are not that impressive at 3.9
I tend to BBQ myself though.
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Oregon — Podnah's Pit Barbecue
Podnah's Pit Barbecue/Facebook
This place gets its name from the BBQ-loving, Texas-based grandfather whose life lessons made the Portland favorite possible, and since 2006, Podnah's has been treating the Pacific Northwest to a taste of the South. Not sure what to get? The Pit Boss platter is designed to give you a taste of everything from the scrumptious sides to the brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. Be warned: You might find yourself judging all other BBQ to higher standards after this.
Read More: https://www.tastingtable.com/2031718...very-state/Comment
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Haven’t been to Smōk in CO and have to give it a try. I enjoy the smaller backyard bbq joint, Piggin’ Out Smokehouse in Lakewood when in the area.Comment
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Wisconsin will never be accused of being a bbq destination State. There are plenty of bbq joints around the State. And I have been to many of them including the place picked as #1 in this article, SmokeyJons. It was decades ago so I can’t say it doesn’t deserve it. That fact that they’ve been around over 30 years says something about their quality. But in general terms, I would rate WI bbq as just OK at best.Comment
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I have yet to eat genuinely excellent brisket here in PA. I’ve eaten some mediocre brisket, and a lot of bad brisket. Admittedly I haven’t eaten everywhere in the state.
Almost all the pulled pork I’ve eaten here has been average. I’ve been to a couple fests where it seemed like everyone was serving pulled pork; my worst pulled pork was better than almost any of them. That’s surprising; pulled pork is about as simple as it gets. You could pick stuff off the shelf at any supermarket and make good pulled pork. But to walk around 25 vendors and get serving after serving of bland, tasteless pig… bah. There was a truck in Allentown that made good pulled pork. He moved south, out of state.
I’ve had some decent ribs here. I’ve had some pretty bad ribs, too. But some have been decent. Anthracite Cafe uses a commercial pellet smoker, and their ribs are good. Their pulled pork would be good, except they mix it in with a sauce I don’t like and serve it all mushy.
There’s a place on PA-322, off of I-80, called Gio’s that I remember as pretty good. But last we ate there was maybe 15 years ago.
So, best bbq in PA is Goldbelly.
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Sadly, Fette Sau in Brooklyn, NY just closed. Went one final time. So I am now in agreement that Hometown is deserving as the best 'que joint in New York.Comment
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