Best BBQ in the U.S.

[viking611]

There is no "BEST" by the way....it's food...it's whatever you like. I prefer Texas, KC, and Memphis.

 

[quantumleap]

:toast:

The people in Memphis and KC might beg to differ with that list. Never ate at Wilbers but will check it out sometime if it is that good. The Eastern NC/vinegar based BBQ is best in Lexington either BBQ Center, Smileys or Backcountry.

Yeah, it depends on what type of BBQ you like. KC has a sweeter sauce while NC is more vinegar based like you say and Memphis BBQ is tangy. I hear Texas has their own type as well.

I'm not shy when it comes to food and BBQ is one of my favorites.

 

[Enfuego]

people who vote on it think differently...
Famous Dave's has won numerous awards in their restaurants through the years beginning in 1995, winning the “Best BBQ Sauce in America” given by the American Royal Barbecue Contest and the “Best BBQ Joint” given by St. Paul magazine. The chain continued to win over 200 awards across the nation, from “Best BBQ ribs” over 50 times to awards like "Best Salad" (Crispy Chicken Jumpoff), “Best Music” or “Best Desserts.” Most recently, Famous Dave’s has won the famous Silver Plate award that is given to “foodservice operators who epitomize the best of class.” Dave's also placed second to Jeff Burnham in the Annual Burnham Rib competition.

Viking, winning awards doesn't mean a whole lot. How many places actually care to enter these contests?

 

[donkeybucks]

Excellent choice. I love Memphis and graded it as my best 'overall choice' for BBQ in Las Vegas which was outbeat by The Rub at the Rio. I never tried Memphis out at Nellis but have at the one on Warm Springs (which I wouldn't think would be much different). Yes! Memphis is my go-to joint for BBQ just because I don't like to go anywhere near the strip and fight the hassle, you know what I mean?. Memphis is great. It's got that southern feel, and they put on this seasoning which they call "Magic Dust" which is very tastey. They do have at my displeasure the Vinegar slaw, which I hate, but their's is "Ok". Meat is very good no matter what you get. The service there outbeats The Rub and the beer is very very cold served in mason jars, which is a nice touch for some reason. It's wierd, the Memphis BBQ on Warm Springs has all these celebrity photos hanging up of the ones who visted the joint but they serve beer in these redneck moonshine mason jars. It's great! Great atmosphere and they play Elvis music and songs from that era. Awesome joint, Glad you mentioned it!

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

Have had my fair share of BBQ in my lifetime...have to agree that the Memphis area is a notch above the rest....

Kansas City is great also and Texas is overrrated...I expected more from Texas, but the hype is greater than the taste...

Kentucky isn't bad also...very underrated

 

[donkeybucks]

Have had my fair share of BBQ in my lifetime...have to agree that the Memphis area is a notch above the rest....

Kansas City is great also and Texas is overrrated...I expected more from Texas, but the hype is greater than the taste...

Kentucky isn't bad also...very underrated

All TIME EVER for me is KC BBQ. Don't care about any other parts of the country. KC kicks ass in so many ways.

* This judgement is premature and I've never been to Texas to try their BBQ. Until then, my judgement remains. Bring it on!

 

[DesertDevil]

Great topic! Yes I'm a fan of BBQ and beer. But out of all these TV shows and shit about the best BBQ ever and BS is just that BS. It all comes down to your own personal preferences and tastes. Living in Las Vegas, when I first moved here about 10 years ago, believe it or not, this town didn't have much for BBQ. It was a big downer since I loved BBQ. Slowly but surely and all of a sudden there's a BBQ joint everywhere. I've tried many, and don't discount the franchise one's like Famous Dave's, but out the ten years I've been on my own personal search for the best BBQ in Vegas and the top of the list right now is The Rub at the Rio Casino. Don't miss this place. However, again, it all depends on your taste buds. Shit, When I lived in Lincoln NE back in the 90's there was this place called Buster's BBQ (in which I'm sure alot of BBQ joints were called all over the nation) but this place was not a franchise. They served feather bones (which is not common in today's BBQ vocabulary) which were to DIE for. I love BBQ no doubt. I've even started grading places on the BBQ beans and coleslaw. I like the creamy slaw, not the vinegar shit. Anywho, that just goes to show ya, it all depends on your taste buds. Try them all and everywhere!

Brisket is my favorite by the way. Some places serve a good piece of brisket where it's meaty, juicy, and awesome. Others serve it fatty which is just terrible.

RUB BBQ at the RIO is no more. Just an FYI.

 

[bigtex]

Great topic! Yes I'm a fan of BBQ and beer. But out of all these TV shows and shit about the best BBQ ever and BS is just that BS. It all comes down to your own personal preferences and tastes. Living in Las Vegas, when I first moved here about 10 years ago, believe it or not, this town didn't have much for BBQ. It was a big downer since I loved BBQ. Slowly but surely and all of a sudden there's a BBQ joint everywhere. I've tried many, and don't discount the franchise one's like Famous Dave's, but out the ten years I've been on my own personal search for the best BBQ in Vegas and the top of the list right now is The Rub at the Rio Casino. Don't miss this place. However, again, it all depends on your taste buds. Shit, When I lived in Lincoln NE back in the 90's there was this place called Buster's BBQ (in which I'm sure alot of BBQ joints were called all over the nation) but this place was not a franchise. They served feather bones (which is not common in today's BBQ vocabulary) which were to DIE for. I love BBQ no doubt. I've even started grading places on the BBQ beans and coleslaw. I like the creamy slaw, not the vinegar shit. Anywho, that just goes to show ya, it all depends on your taste buds. Try them all and everywhere!

Brisket is my favorite by the way. Some places serve a good piece of brisket where it's meaty, juicy, and awesome. Others serve it fatty which is just terrible.

Rub is good but not the best I have had. The burnt ends are very good though.

http://www.kreuzmarket.com/index.shtml
Lockhart, Texas has 2 joints that are owned by the same family. The brother owns Kreuz Market. You won't find BAR BQ sauce in this joint. You simply don't need it and they don't offer it. It has been featured on the food network along with Smitty's BAR B Q that is about 2 blocks down the street and run by the sister. They do offer the sauce.
http://www.smittysmarket.com/

Anyone else eat Q at a place that does not even offer sauce? They don't even have forks.Some good stuff.


The Saltlick in driftwood, texas is very good also. They had one inside the Red Rock in Vegas but it was not as good as the original.

http://www.saltlickbbq.com/locations_driftwood.html

 

[YourAllAmerican]

Funny you should bring up the two Lockhart places, bigtex. Some buddies and I are heading to both Smitty's and Kreuz for lunch tomorrow.

 

[SoCal]

off on a little tangent here... but as far as BBQ SAUCE .... well, we just stumbled into one here in San Diego. "Smokin' Joe Jones" BBQ sauce. He was at CostCo doing sample and we tried a sample bout 3 weeks ago. Since that sampling... we have gone thru about 5 jars and we are BBQing 3 times a week. It is absolutely fantastic. The HOT version is the one we do most. SPICY and HOT seem to taste the same to us... so if you fine either out there... try it. The guy is originally from Mississippi and now resides here in SD with a few restaurants and his awesome sauce at local stores.

 

[bigtex]

Funny you should bring up the two Lockhart places, bigtex. Some buddies and I are heading to both Smitty's and Kreuz for lunch tomorrow.

You will love both places. There is also Blacks and the Chisholm Trail but I would pass on those.
Try Kreuz without the sauce first. Let me know what you think after your trip. Hope you enjoy your lunch.

 

[donkeybucks]

RUB BBQ at the RIO is no more. Just an FYI.

Aww shit. That's sad.

Ok then, I revert to Memphis as being the best 'Overall' BBQ joint in Vegas for me, for others I'm sure the taste bud judgement is different. I love BBQ wars and competitions! No way in hell will you EVER get everyone to agree on the BEST BBQ EVER! May they compete for our tastebuds pleasure!

 

[OJS#32buff]

Neely's in Memphis
http://www.neelysbbq.com/

 

[OAKAS]

All TIME EVER for me is KC BBQ. Don't care about any other parts of the country. KC kicks ass in so many ways.

* This judgement is premature and I've never been to Texas to try their BBQ. Until then, my judgement remains. Bring it on!

Have to agree with donkey here. Everyone knows Gates and Arthur Bryants, but there are so many good places in KC that kick ass.

 

[Betallsports]

I am a HUGE fan of BBQ.....have been all my life....and if I could live on just BBQ & Pizza ......I Would be as Happy as a Pig in Shit ( no pun )

Year ago I had some Memphis BBQ, and I will have to say it probably the Best I ever had.

I have tried Texas, NC, even Florida......and of Course there's BBQ places in NY
( some are pretty good )

Here on Long Island we have a Place that I have had 100's of times, and is the Best around These...Parts http://www.smokinals.com/ordereze/splash/

And I Don't like the Dry Rub.....I like my BBQ Wet

 

[Scoops]

North Carolina for sure!
:toast:

 

[quantumleap]

Viking, winning awards doesn't mean a whole lot. How many places actually care to enter these contests?

Are you kidding??? There are BBQ contests all over the country and Famous Dave's has won their fair share.

 

[quantumleap]

Neely's in Memphis
http://www.neelysbbq.com/

I went to the Neely's on Mt. Moriah and had the beef ribs. Couldn't wait to get back there.

Corky's is good too. I had the best BBQ chicken sandwich I've ever eaten at Corky's.

 

[Enfuego]

Are you kidding??? There are BBQ contests all over the country and Famous Dave's has won their fair share.

Guess you don't understand what I said. Just because there are contests doesn't mean the best BBQ are in those contests. Trust me when I tell you that Famous Daves sucks when it comes to down home BBQ.

 

[quantumleap]

Guess you don't understand what I said. Just because there are contests doesn't mean the best BBQ are in those contests. Trust me when I tell you that Famous Daves sucks when it comes to down home BBQ.

That angle is not working for you. Try another one.