20 Top BBQ Joints In The South, According To Experts

Craving slow-smoked perfection that tells a story with every bite? These Southern barbecue legends have earned their stripes with bark that crackles, sauce that sings, and pitmasters who live by the fire.

You will discover pulled pork that melts, ribs with tug and shine, and brisket that practically whispers your name. Ready to map your next delicious road trip?

1. Franklin Barbecue — Austin, Texas

Brisket lovers, this is your pilgrimage. Franklin Barbecue rewards patience with pepper-crusted slices that jiggle, glisten, and cut like warm butter.

The bark is deeply black, the smoke ring vivid pink, and the fat renders into silky richness you remember for months.

Order by the pound, add ribs and turkey, and keep it simple with pickles and onions. The line teaches reverence while the meat delivers truth.

Sauce is optional, but that espresso-like bark and gentle post oak smoke need little help. It is a masterclass in balance, texture, and time.

2. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ — Charleston, South Carolina

Whole hog is the star here, chopped to order and kissed with Rodney Scott’s signature vinegar-pepper mop. You get crispy bits, tender shreds, and pure pork flavor in every bite.

The balance of tang, heat, and smoke is bright, lively, and wonderfully Southern.

Load up a tray with ribs, smoked turkey, and those addictive cracklins for crunch. Collards and baked beans round out the plate like old friends.

You will find energy in the room and consistency on the pit. It is a destination that sets the standard for whole hog done right.

3. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q — Atlanta, Georgia

Fox Bros. blends Texas roots with Georgia hospitality for a menu that hits every craving. Expect peppery brisket with a solid bark, sticky ribs that pull cleanly, and creative sides delivering comfort without fuss.

Spice pops, smoke lingers, and portions make sharing easy.

The vibe is lively and the kitchen keeps the trays moving. Burnt ends and wings have serious followings, and desserts seal the deal.

You will taste confidence, craft, and plenty of heart in each bite. It is a must-stop Atlanta institution that respects tradition while having fun.

4. Central BBQ — Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis knows ribs, and Central BBQ delivers them dry-rubbed with a fragrant spice crust. Each bite is tender with just enough tug, encouraging a dap of sauce if you like.

Pulled pork sandwiches crowned with slaw deliver crunch and tang in perfect harmony.

Barbecue nachos steal the spotlight, piled obscene and unapologetic. Smoke flavor is clean and steady, never bitter, always inviting.

The atmosphere is casual, the lines forgiving, and the plates generous. You will leave satisfied and plotting your return, napkins in hand, rub on your fingertips, and a grin.

5. Heirloom Market BBQ — Atlanta, Georgia

This small-but-mighty joint marries Korean flavors with Southern smoke for unforgettable combinations. Think gochujang-glazed ribs, kimchi slaw, and juicy brisket sprinkled with sesame.

The heat is playful, the smoke measured, and the textures make every bite exciting.

Lines form quickly, but service moves with purpose. Grab a tray and lean into the fusion without hesitation.

You will taste craft and curiosity in equal measure. Sides bring brightness while the meats carry depth, creating a balanced meal that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly new.

It is a reason to detour across town.

6. Lewis Barbecue — Charleston, South Carolina

At Lewis Barbecue, Central Texas techniques meet Lowcountry charm. Brisket is the headline act, with peppered bark and juicy slices that bend but do not break.

Sausages snap with spice, and ribs are smoky, glossy, and satisfyingly meaty.

Grab a tray and customize with pickles, onions, and white bread. The sides are fresh and thoughtful, letting the meats shine.

You will appreciate the clean post oak profile and meticulous consistency across the board. It is a Charleston staple where big flavors and friendly service make long lines feel like part of the experience.

7. Scott’s Bar-B-Que — Hemingway, South Carolina

Scott’s is a pilgrimage for whole hog traditionalists. The meat is chopped, seasoned with a zippy vinegar-pepper sauce, and served without pretension.

Expect crispy bits alongside silky shreds, a texture journey that keeps you nibbling.

There is a rustic charm here, with pits that speak of decades of skill. You taste the coals, the patience, and the pride.

It is not fancy, just honest and unforgettable. Bring cash, bring friends, and let the sauce wake up your palate.

You will understand why experts consider it sacred ground.

8. The Skylight Inn — Ayden, North Carolina

Eastern North Carolina whole hog shines at The Skylight Inn. The pork is chopped fine with shards of cracklin mixed through for crunch.

The vinegar sauce is bright and uncomplicated, letting the pork’s sweetness and smoke lead.

Get the classic tray with slaw and cornbread and keep the ritual alive. The texture balance is addictive, and the flavor is clean, tangy, and deeply satisfying.

You will taste heritage on a paper-lined tray. It is simple, soulful, and absolutely worth the drive, any day.

9. Dreamland BBQ — Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Dreamland is rib country, and the slabs arrive lacquered, smoky, and unapologetically bold. The sauce leans tangy with a pepper kick that lingers.

Each rib has bite, leaving your fingers sticky and your smile bigger.

Order a pile, add white bread, and swipe up every last drop of sauce. The vibe is lively, with walls that tell stories.

You will leave full and happy, the kind of satisfied that keeps you loyal for years. It is a classic for a reason, beloved by locals and road-trippers alike.

10. Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q — Decatur, Alabama

Alabama white sauce finds its temple at Big Bob Gibson. Smoked chicken takes a creamy, peppery bath that cools the smoke and perks up every bite.

The result is juicy meat with tangy zip, ideal with pickles and a side of slaw.

Ribs and pulled pork also shine, but that dunked chicken is the signature. The restaurant breathes competition pedigree and real-deal tradition.

You will appreciate the balance of smoke, acidity, and richness. It is essential Alabama barbecue with a distinct identity and a flavor memory that sticks.

11. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint — Nashville, Tennessee

Martin’s brings West Tennessee whole hog to Music City with style. The pork is juicy, chopped, and balanced by a tangy red slaw.

Ribs carry smoke and spice with a confident bark that does not overdo it.

The sprawling space makes lingering easy, and the menu encourages sharing. Add wings or brisket for variety and do not skip the sauces.

You will find steady execution and friendly energy every visit. It is the kind of spot that turns friends into regulars and regulars into evangelists.

12. Peg Leg Porker — Nashville, Tennessee

Peg Leg Porker excels with dry ribs that wear spice like a tailored suit. The bark is fragrant, the tug spot-on, and the shine inviting.

Pulled pork sandwiches pack smoke without heaviness, especially paired with tangy slaw.

Order mac and cheese or beans and settle in. Sauces are smartly restrained, designed to complement rather than cover.

You will enjoy straightforward, satisfying plates that respect Memphis tradition with Nashville personality. It is an easy recommendation for anyone chasing dependable ribs and good times.

13. The Bar-B-Q Shop — Memphis, Tennessee

This Memphis classic serves immaculate dry-rub ribs and the city’s cult favorite, barbecue spaghetti. The ribs are balanced with spice, smoke, and tenderness that invites a gentle pull.

The spaghetti is smoky, saucy, and strangely perfect with a rib on the side.

Service is friendly and the pace unhurried, ideal for savoring. A dab of sauce perks things up, but the rub does the heavy lifting.

You will leave with a grin and a new craving. It is a Memphis must for curious eaters and rib purists alike.

14. Bryan Furman BBQ — Atlanta, Georgia

Bryan Furman champions heritage hogs and meticulous technique. The pork sings with clean smoke and natural sweetness, while brisket brings pepper, bark, and buttery texture.

Ribs hit that juicy middle ground, neither mushy nor tough.

Sides stay classic and fresh, supporting rather than competing. You will taste intention in every element, from salt levels to wood choice.

The menu reads simple but eats profound. It is a standout for those chasing purity of flavor and skillful restraint instead of heavy-handed sauce.

15. Archibald’s BBQ — Northport, Alabama

Archibald’s proves small spaces can produce big flavor. The ribs wear a tangy, peppery glaze that clings lovingly, highlighting clean hickory smoke.

Each bite has character and chew, satisfying without falling apart.

The setting is humble, the hospitality direct, and the memories long-lasting. Pair ribs with white bread and let the sauce do its thing.

You will taste tradition and time in every rib. It is the kind of roadside barbecue that defines Alabama’s enduring rib culture and keeps locals fiercely loyal.

16. Jones Bar-B-Q Diner — Marianna, Arkansas

One of America’s oldest barbecue joints, Jones serves humble, extraordinary chopped pork. The sandwich is simple: white bread, tender pork, bright vinegar sauce.

The flavors are honest, smoky, and balanced, a reminder that great barbecue needs no gimmicks.

Go early, because when it is gone, it is gone. The rhythm here is old-school and comforting.

You will feel connected to history with each bite. It is a pilgrimage spot where scarcity adds to the legend and every crumb counts.

17. Hometown Bar-B-Que — Miami, Florida

Hometown Miami brings bold global accents to serious wood smoke. Brisket is textbook juicy with pepper bark, while jerk ribs deliver heat that blooms slowly.

Specials get creative without losing the pit at the core.

The room buzzes and the sides hold their own. You will appreciate thoughtful seasoning and top-shelf sourcing.

It is a place where technique anchors experimentation, letting flavors travel yet stay true. A standout in a city better known for seafood and sunshine.

18. B’s Barbecue — Greenville, North Carolina

B’s keeps Eastern North Carolina barbecue refreshingly straightforward. The whole-hog pork is chopped fine and bathed in a vinegar sauce that crackles with pepper.

Sides stay classic, especially slaw and boiled potatoes that soak up every drip.

Arrive early and bring cash. The smoke tastes clean, the seasoning is bright, and portions are generous.

You will leave scented like the pit, in the best way. It is a beloved local ritual that converts visitors with a single plate.

19. City Barbeque — Lexington, Kentucky

City Barbeque brings consistency and craft to a casual setting. The pulled pork is tender and lightly sauced, brisket shows respectable bark and moisture, and turkey is surprisingly juicy.

Ribs lean savory with a nice glaze.

It is a reliable stop on a road trip through the Bluegrass. Sides are comforting, portions solid, and service friendly.

You will appreciate the balance between smoke and seasoning. Not fussy, just dependable barbecue that satisfies crowds without compromising on technique.

20. Southern Soul Barbeque — St. Simons Island, Georgia

Southern Soul smokes with coastal swagger. Ribs shine with a sweet-savory glaze, pulled pork is plush and well seasoned, and sausages snap with juice.

The smoke is assertive but clean, evoking sunny afternoons and sea breezes.

Grab Brunswick stew and a cold drink, then settle under the palms. Service is upbeat, music easy, and the food consistently craveable.

You will find road-trip-worthy plates in a laid-back island setting. It is a destination that turns vacation days into barbecue memories.