Top Louisiana BBQ Joint Lands On Best In America List
Smoke curls through New Orleans’ Bywater like jazz on a summer night, and at the center of it all sits The Joint, a BBQ shrine that just landed on the “Best in America” list.
Ribs hit the pit with a sizzle, brisket melts like butter, and the tang of house-made sauce sneaks into the air long before you reach the door. Locals already knew this spot was legendary, but now the rest of the country is lining up for a taste of Louisiana barbecue magic.
1. Smoke-Kissed Ribs That Fall Off The Bone
Ever sunk your teeth into ribs so tender they vanish before you even finish chewing? The Joint in New Orleans makes that magic happen, filling the air with hickory smoke that clings to your clothes in the best way.
Pork ribs get the low-and-slow treatment on custom pits, each one showing off a smoke ring so pink it makes BBQ diehards grin. Folks whisper about a Cajun-spiced dry rub, but the recipe stays locked tighter than Mardi Gras beads in the trees.
Locals swear up and down these are the South’s best ribs, balancing smoky, sweet, and savory without drowning in sauce.
2. Brisket That Makes Texans Jealous
Texans might claim brisket as their territory, but The Joint’s version has them reconsidering their loyalty. Sliced thick with a peppery bark and that telltale red smoke line, each bite delivers a perfect balance of fat and lean that keeps customers lining up daily.
How do they achieve such consistency? The pitmasters maintain round-the-clock smoking schedules, treating their craft with scientific precision. When available, their limited brisket burnt ends create near-riots among regulars who know to arrive early.
Would you believe they sell out almost every day? Smart customers call ahead to reserve their meat before making the pilgrimage to this Bywater BBQ sanctuary.
3. Homemade Sides That Steal The Show
Plenty of BBQ spots treat sides like background singers, but The Joint turns them into headliners. Mac and cheese rolls out bubbling hot, golden crust cracking open to reveal creamy layers of multi-cheese magic spiked with secret spices.
Coleslaw skips the soggy stereotype, crunchy cabbage popping with a smoked tomato and onion dressing that cuts through the richness like a blues riff. Baked beans soak up smoked drippings until they’re sweet, savory, and filling enough to call dinner on their own.
No surprise critics shout out the sides right alongside the ribs – at The Joint, every plate hits star status.
4. Laid-Back Bywater Atmosphere
BBQ always hits harder with the right vibe, and The Joint nails it. Set inside a converted corner store, the spot feels as unpretentious as the smoky air drifting out back.
Picnic tables crowd up fast, locals and tourists shoulder to shoulder swapping rib stories and wiping sauce off their hands.
No starched linens here – construction crews and celebs kick back at the same communal tables, proof good barbecue doesn’t play favorites.
A full bar slings frozen drinks and cocktails cold enough to cool Louisiana heat and Cajun spice. Even after its “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” cameo, the place stays pure neighborhood soul.
