VinnieVanGO wants to continue to share his excitement for the 4th of July by providing information about some of his favorite BBQ restaurants. It may be tradition to fire up your own grill on Independence day, but for those who wish to relax ,here’s a list of some of the best BBQ restaurants around the country.
Smoque BBQ bills itself as a neighborhood place. Fugitt says Smoque, home to some of the Windy City’s best Austin-style brisket, is the most recognized barbecue restaurant in Chicago. By combining different barbecue styles from around the country, Smoque serves up a flavor all its own.
- Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (Kansas City, Kansas)
Formerly known as Oklahoma Joe’s, this former gas station has won a slew of awards and honors. Anthony Bourdain named it one of his “13 Places to Eat Before You Die.” Try the ribs or one of the sandwiches, specifically the Z-Man sandwich, stuffed with slow-smoked brisket, smoked provolone, and crispy onion rings.
Franklin is one of the most notable barbecue restaurants in America — and it has the snaking line to prove it. Customers arrive early in the morning and wait hours for the brisket, ribs, and sandwiches at the restaurant, which is open only for lunch. Pitmaster Aaron Franklin even holds a James Beard award for best chef in the Southwest.
This family-owned smokehouse has quite the backstory. Owner John Rivers fell in love with brisket (and his wife) in Texas, and he ultimately decided to travel around the country to create the perfect brisket recipe. So there’s really no question of what to order here
- Hometown Bar-B-Que (Brooklyn, New York)
Owner and Pitmaster Billy Durney spent nearly 20 years in celebrity security and private protection before turning his barbecue hobby into a business. He traveled around the country to hone his smoky craft and opened Hometown in 2013. The restaurant specializes in pit-smoked meats and makes everything (except the locally sourced pickles) in-house. Fugitt suggests the brisket, beef ribs, pork ribs, and beans.
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