In the mood for barbecue, but it's just too hot to light the grill? Thankfully, there are multitudes of restaurants ready to serve up a platter of ribs or put together a pulled pork sandwich to satisfy your 'cue craving. For the best of the best, try one of the smokin' spots GAYOT considers to be the top 10 barbecue restaurants in America.
City Market
Luling, TX
Let the aroma of smoldering mesquite guide you to City Market, a Lone Star State barbecue spot with a near-cult following. Texans don't mess with a good thing, and this one's been smokin' steadily since 1958.
View more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in the Austin area
Daisy May's BBQ USA
New York, NY
This popular barbecue restaurant in New York City serves up Tennessee Whiskey beer can-style half chicken and sides like mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar.
View the Top 10 Barbecue Restaurants in NYC and more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in New York
Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue
Kansas City, MO
Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue in Kansas City offers first-rate crown Prime short ribs of beef and one of the best barbecue sandwiches in town.
View more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in Kansas City and read GAYOT's feature on Kansas City Barbecue
Full Moon Bar-B-Que
Hoover, AL
It's the zingy sauce and crunchy, peppery chow-chow (pickled relish) at Full Moon Bar-B-Que that sets this barbecue haven apart from the others.
View more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in Alabama
Heirloom Market BBQ
Atlanta, GA
Heirloom Market BBQ in Atlanta puts an Asian spin on traditional barbecue with dishes like a spicy Korean-style barbecue sandwich with fresh kimchi coleslaw atop a sweet pile of smoked pork.
View the Top 10 Barbecue Restaurants in Atlanta and more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in Atlanta
Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse
Atlanta, GA
The locals are just nuts about the pork loin back ribs at Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse in Cincinnati. This is not like barbecue in Texas, Memphis or the low country -- these are ribs suited to the sensibilities of the locals, who in turn bring all their out-of-town guests to see what the fuss is about.
View more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in Cincinnati
Smoque BBQ
Chicago, IL
The scents emanating from the open kitchen will immediately clue you in to the appeal of this saucy Chicago spot.
View the Top 10 Barbecue Restaurants in Chicago and more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in Chicago
Urban Bar-B-Cue Company
Rockville, MD
Urban Bar-B-Cue Company struck barbecue gold with their succulent and juicy ribs, house-made sauces, thick slabs of smoky beef brisket, and hot-from-the-oven homemade apple pie with caramel sauce.
View more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in Maryland (near Washington, D.C.)
Wexler's
San Francisco, CA
Wexler's in San Francisco offers a sophisticated take on barbecue with mainstays like short ribs, but chef Charlie Kleinman's creativity shines in dishes such as the moist, smoked sturgeon.
View the Top 10 Barbecue Restaurants in San Francisco and more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in the Bay Area
Zeke's Smokehouse
Montrose, CA
Zeke's Smokehouse outside of Los Angeles is a homespun, casual spot serving up slow-cooked Carolina pulled pork that is pure Southern comfort.
View the Top 10 Barbecue Restaurants in Los Angeles and more of the Best Barbecue Restaurants in Los Angeles
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