Started By
Message
re: Ranking the SEC in terms of BBQ
Posted on 5/25/26 at 5:28 pm to AggieArchitect2004
Posted on 5/25/26 at 5:28 pm to AggieArchitect2004
quote:
Pretty sure Texas has the only barbecue that someone won a James Beard for.
And you would be wrong. Several states have pitmasters who have won James Beard awards.
This post was edited on 5/25/26 at 5:30 pm
1
Posted on 5/25/26 at 5:46 pm to Sus-Scrofa
quote:
Arkansas is probably ranked low from a quantity standpoint, but we have a handful that I’d put up against anyone.
I'm a firm believer in Texas brisket and Memphis pork; however, the best BBQ I can remember was at a little roadside stand near Wynne, Arkansas. My dad and I stopped there after a morning of duck hunting. It was cold as hell, and I was damn hungry. Might have colored my opinion, but that was the best sandwich I can ever remember.
Posted on 5/25/26 at 6:58 pm to KCM0Tiger
quote:
1. Missouri 2. Texas 3. Tennessee
I’m biased but I still haven’t had bbq in KC that reaches the level of best bbq I’ve had in Texas. I’ve been to at least 3 different places in KC recommended by locals (state line, Q39 off the top of my head). Both were excellent but neither get the crown.
Admittedly there are probably some better KC bbq joints than these. Some of the best Texas bbq is in the small towns you’re just passing through.
Of course some of this is subjective but I prefer Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri is 3rd.
Everyone else focuses more on pork which is good, but brisket is king and no one does brisket like Texas.
Posted on 5/25/26 at 8:17 pm to KCM0Tiger
The middle and panhandle are the only good BBQ places in Florida..rest are pretty crap. But they def have good BBQ in places in the middle like Starke..is very weird.
Posted on 5/25/26 at 9:52 pm to KCM0Tiger
KC bbq just throws too much sauce on shitty meat. Texas is king go to Austin and this wouldn’t be a topic.
Posted on 5/25/26 at 10:03 pm to HTX Horn
quote:
I’m biased but I still haven’t had bbq in KC that reaches the level of best bbq I’ve had in Texas
It says a lot when one of the best places in KC used to be called Oklahoma Joe's
Texas is my #1 as well. I am not a huge fan of Memphis BBQ. Most of the places I have had that are good in other states are pretty much Texas BBQ. For example, the best place in my area is Wardlaw's which is pretty much Texas BBQ.
Posted on 5/25/26 at 10:28 pm to Missouri Waltz
Good barbecue in the WKY. Owensboro has pork, beef, chicken and mutton that are outstanding.
I love pork barbecue. It is the southern staple but do like a good brisket too.
I can’t say anyone has the best because it is up to individual tastes but I’d stay out of barbecue places much north of the Ohio River.
I love pork barbecue. It is the southern staple but do like a good brisket too.
I can’t say anyone has the best because it is up to individual tastes but I’d stay out of barbecue places much north of the Ohio River.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 1:28 am to highcotton2
quote:
Several states have pitmasters who have won James Beard awards
quote:
James Beard Foundation Awards have increasingly recognized the mastery of American barbecue, honoring famous pitmasters across "Best Chef" categories and the "America’s Classics" award.Notable James Beard award-winning pitmasters and barbecue institutions include:
Best Chef Winners & Nominees
Aaron Franklin (Franklin Barbecue - Austin, TX): Won Best Chef: Southwest in 2015. He was the first pitmaster ever to win in a main chef category.
Rodney Scott (Rodney Scott’s BBQ - Charleston, SC): Won Best Chef: Southeast in 2018 for his legendary whole-hog cooking.
Tootsie Tomanetz (Snow's BBQ - Lexington, TX): An iconic octogenarian pitmaster and 2018 Barbecue Hall of Famer. She was a semi-finalist for Best Chef: Southwest.
America's Classics Award Winners
This category highlights legendary, locally-owned restaurants with timeless appeal.
Lem's Bar-B-Q (Chicago, IL): Honored in 2025 for its iconic rib tips, hot links, and aquarium-style barbecue pits.
Scott's Bar-B-Que (Hemingway, SC): Won in 2010 before expanding with Rodney Scott.
Louie Mueller Barbecue (Taylor, TX): Won this prestigious legacy award in 2006.
Check out the full list of honorees and nominees on the James Beard Foundation website. You can also track the latest award cycles and regional winners on the James Beard Awards page.
Okay. Well, half are from Texas.
Posted on 5/26/26 at 7:23 am to TheTideMustRoll
quote:
This idea that people have that if you get barbecue in Alabama it is going to come with white sauce on it is ridiculous.
Good white sauce on smoked turkey and chicken is frikkin delicious and anyone who says it’s not is just hating.
From another post…
quote:
Brisket and flanks (fajitas) are the poorest cuts of beef and the hardest to cook. Cooking a tough, fatty piece of meat that falls apart in your mouth, and doesn't need any sauce, is an art form that is appreciated by most people.
I love pork but I also agree with this as well. If you taste a brisket that is just divine, you know someone spent many many years and cumulative hours perfecting it. Great brisket is really hard to do. I’ve tried my hand at it a number of times and, while I’ve gotten some good outcomes, it’s not my specialty and I hella respect those that can do it well. It ain’t easy.
Page 10 of 10
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News