With Memorial Day weekend on our doorstep, it is a perfect time to fire up those taste buds + enjoy some of the best BBQ that this country has to offer! Check out these local favorites to discover some of the most sought-after barbecue in the country.
This BBQ joint is credited with being a leader in the revitalization of the once warehouse-dominated River Arts District. Although they have been forced out of two locations to make way for road construction, that has not slowed down the enthusiasm, interest, + BBQ oozing out of the establishment. The location they will occupy until the end of the year, pictured below, is popular for the unique sea of graffiti that adores the outdoor walls. The art of graffiti is not only allowed but actively encouraged to serve as a focal point of connection for their customers. The new location, coming early 2019, will include similar elements of street art as well as a bigger kitchen + dining room, as well as their own brewery!
Ranked as one of the top 50 best BBQ places in the US, this brisket, turkey + pork ribs have been described as “life-changing”. Born out of a love for BBQ, Terry Black passed down generations of barbecue knowledge learned from his experience to his twin sons Michael and Mark Black bring their very own style! The no-frills set up of cafeteria style sitting + serve yourself side dishes allow visitors to create their own casual experience.
Visitors insist Cattleack BBQ is the best in Texas, which is supported by the fact that they can afford to only open from 10:30 am-2:00 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and the 1st Saturday of each month. The exclusivity, and expansive menu, of this lunchtime favorite, can lead to the most delicious indecision you will ever have. Experts say to try their signature sandwich, “The Toddfather”, filled with brisket, pulled pork + a hot sausage link - but locals know there is no wrong way to order!
See a line outside? Don't let that deter you. The wait will be worth the full plates + huge portions you receive once inside. When you stop in, make sure to try the “red sauce” - a hot sauce native to the Nashville region - while you chow down on slow-cooked brisket + pulled pork. Although they’re known for delicious BBQ, their menu is stacked with other crowd favorites like tacos, wings, nachos + fried pickles so everyone can chow down on exactly what they crave!
Blue Oak has been “Vegan Free” since 2012 when they first fired up their smoker. They’ve grown up a lot since then, moving from a pop-up favorite to their current location in Mid-City New Orleans, complete with a full bar and outdoor seating section with misting machines to combat the heat of the Big Easy. The low + slow cooking process allows customers to enjoy meat that falls off the bone and onto a platter of quintessential BBQ sides. Though there may be a line when you arrive, don’t fret - service is quick and the meal will be worth the wait!
Part of the Steven Starr restaurant family, Fette Sau, German for “fat pig,” specializes in locally sourced meats, dry-rubbed, smoked on the premises and sold by the pound for a remarkable take on American barbecue. A collaboration with New York restaurateur Joe Carroll, who opened his original location in Brooklyn, this outpost has a Philadelphia flavor all its own, with cement floors, exposed beams + communal picnic table seating. Brisket, pork ribs, organic chicken + hot Italian sausage are just a few of the meat options, complemented by simple sides and killer beer, cider and whiskey lists.
Classic Memphis Style barbecue can be found in this St. Louis favorite. The smell of smoked meats welcomes you all the way from the parking lot to invite you to enjoy their famous ribs + fried corn on the cob. Four house made BBQ sauces turn each bite into a different flavor experience - tangy, sweet, Texas style or spicy. Stop in for lunch specials or dinner to see what all the fuss is about!
