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Pulled pork BBQ plate from Smoque BBQ in Chicago
SMOQUE BBQ
Smokin’ Hot Stops
Smoked, sauced and slow-cooked to perfection—these barbecue joints are worth the drive.
By Zachary Laks
The slightly spicy aroma of hickory smoke fills the air as you approach a great BBQ spot. Your mouth starts to water, and you know you’re not far from tender brisket, savory pulled pork and creamy mac ’n’ cheese. A new era of BBQ has elevated what was once niche, regional fare into renowned spots in just about every corner of the country. Savor succulent smoked meat and flavor-packed sides at these spots that could be in your city or town, and if not, then they’re worth stopping by while traveling this summer.
peg leg porker video
Peg Leg Porker
Nashville, Tennessee
A Nashville favorite since 2013, Peg Leg Porker is a stand-out, must-try barbecue restaurant in a city famous for its vibrant ’cue scene. Founded by pitmaster Carey Bringle in 2013, the award-winning spot draws a crowd nightly in The Gulch, a trendy neighborhood on the south side of downtown Nashville. The BBQ hotspot gets its name from Bringle, who lost his leg to an aggressive form of bone cancer at age 17 and later set out to become one of the best pitmasters in the country. You can taste his love of the craft throughout the menu here, most notably in the traditional dry-rubbed ribs, which are smoked over hickory wood and not smothered in sauce—affirmation of West Tennessee’s barbecue traditions. Add to your order the Soul Potato, a fun take on nachos that replaces chips with fries, and the pimento cheese, both of which make great starters. Those in the know arrive early to avoid the long lines, especially on the weekends, as this place can get crowded.
Doenjang (Korean miso)-injected smoked brisket platter, Heirloom Market BBQ
HEIRLOOM MARKET BBQ
Heirloom Market BBQ
Atlanta, Georgia
Founded in 2010 by chefs Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee, Heirloom Market BBQ fuses Korean flavors with traditional Southern barbecue for a flavorful twist on traditional BBQ fare. Couple Lee (born in South Korea) and Taylor (born in Texas) joined together to create the fusion menu after esteemed careers in other restaurants. Located about 20 minutes north of downtown Atlanta, the tiny outpost has become a local go-to, with the couple’s signature gochujang-rubbed brisket as the must-try. (It’s tender, perfectly smoked and has a great bark.) Don’t pass up the spicy Korean pork with kimchi slaw, blending the chefs’ Korean and Southern heritages.
Smoque BBQ’s sliced brisket
Smoque BBQ
Chicago, Illinois
An entrepreneur dedicated to perfecting the art of barbecue, co-founder Barry Sorkin spent years traveling the United States to learn from the best pitmaster masters. Creating his own unique, bold flavors, he, along with four other partners, launched Smoque BBQ in Chicago in 2006, creating a Midwestern BBQ revolution. The menu pulls from traditional Texas and Kansas City styles to develop the flavor-packed meats in the eatery’s Old Irving Park neighborhood. The can’t-miss menu item is the perfectly balanced sliced brisket, known for well-rounded seasoning and tender meat. Pulled pork is another favorite, with a 12-hour smoking process, resulting in pork that is shredded by hand and mixed to ensure the perfect ratio of tender, juicy meat and smoky, crusty meat. The fresh-cut fries here are excellent, as is the creamy mac ’n’ cheese and BBQ beans packed with chunks of brisket. Regulars know the best way to beat the long lines during the dinner rush is to order online ahead of time.
Shiver's Bar-B-Q
Homestead, Florida
About 45 minutes south of Miami, Shiver’s Bar-B-Q is a top destination in Florida for the best hickory smoked barbecue meats. Family-owned and operated for more than 60 years, Shiver’s earned its reputation by serving consistently tasty smoked ribs, pulled pork and beef cuts worth the trip. Today, the rustic roadhouse is a local legend, attracting crowds with its rib trio platter, brisket and smoked chicken. Top starters that share well with the table include fried mac ’n’ cheese bites, corn nuggets and BBQ cheese fries. For the sides, don’t miss the chance to indulge in the cornbread souffle, the cheesy hashbrown casserole or the comforting mashed potatoes with gravy.
OLD COLONY SMOKEHOUSE VIDEO
Old Colony Smokehouse
Edenton, North Carolina
A sizzling-hot Southern culinary revival is happening about an hour south of Chesapeake, Virginia, and it goes by the name of Old Colony Smokehouse. Here, acclaimed pitmaster Adam Hughes has made a name for himself as a third-generation butcher who has mastered wood-fired cooking. The extensive menu features barbecue staples, like traditional whole-hog barbecue, a classic North Carolina-style pulled pork with a smoky finish and Chef Hughes’ flavor-filled smoked turkey. Regional-style additions to the menu include Carolina sweet slaw, collard greens and the indulgent Carolina dog, a beef hot dog smothered in brisket chili, slaw, pickled onion and palmetto sauce (a tangy, sweet Carolina sauce made with mustard, pepper and vinegar.) Plan to arrive here early, as items can run out!
Spitfire Bar & Grill’s ribs and brisket combo
SPITFIRE BAR & GRILL
Spitfire Bar & Grill
West Fargo, North Dakota
A quick 10 minutes from Fargo, North Dakota, you’ll find an authentic barbecue experience at Spitfire Bar & Grill. This full-service restaurant has been attracting travelers since 2007. The expansive menu features many favorites, from the unique walleye fingers (breaded strips of Canadian walleye) to the quesadilla bacon cheeseburger (a towering burger served between grilled quesadillas). The restaurant’s traditional pulled pork sandwiches are tender with a well-seasoned dry rub, and the slow-smoked prime rib topped with smoky provolone cheese makes for an unforgettable sandwich!
Meat tray from Whatcha Smokin BBQ & Brew
Whatcha Smokin BBQ & Brew
Luther, Iowa
An authentic “pit-to-plate” experience 45 minutes north of Des Moines, Whatcha Smokin BBQ & Brew serves fresh-smoked meats. The gas station-turned-roadside eatery is known for its daily, scratch-made menu, which includes a low-temperature and slowly smoked brisket (with an option to choose between lean and fatty cuts), a savory smoked turkey and house-made craft links. Arrive hungry, as starters like breaded cheese curds, pickle fries and jumbo hot box wings are hard to skip. The sides here are all crowd-pleasing, as well, with top picks being cheesy potatoes, jalapeno-creamed corn and a comforting mac ’n’ cheese.
If you are planning a road trip to one of these BBQ restaurants (or all of them!), visit AAA.com/Travel for hotel accommodations and car rental reservations!
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