I certainly approve of Smoque as being the best in Illinois, although I haven’t tried every one in Illinois.

I love the choice in North Carolina, Allen and Son, but boy, as he says, there are a lot of great barbecue places in that state. Grady’s in Dudley, Lexington No. 1 in Lexington, Original Little Richard’s in Winston-Salem, Jack Cobb and Son in Farmville are among my favorites, and there are so many other good ones I’ve been to.

I’m not saying that Mabel’s BBQ isn’t good but I am skeptical that a place owned by a celebrity chef that has been open less than a year can be the best in the state.  I mean it might be as Ohio isn’t exactly a hotbed of bbq but I just have a hard time believing that this place is immediately the best.

My favorite in Columbus is Ray Rays:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ray-rays-hog-pit-columbus-2 https://www.yelp.com/biz/..rays-hog-pit-columbus-2

Smokey D’s in Iowa is a good choice although I haven’t eaten there in a few years.  I’ve not yet been to Iron Grate in Milwaukee but fellow RFers Gyp and MilwFoodLovers speak highly of it.

Oh, yeah, I’ve done Pioneer Pit Beef.  Good place.

(Although, by itself, I usually don’t consider pit beef “barbecue”)

Pioneer Pit Beef is the choice for Maryland.

I approve of that choice.

Excellent beef, a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ atmosphere (no inside seating at all, one or two picnic tables), and they give you a slice of what you ask for (rare, medium, etc) to be sure it’s what you want.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pioneer-Pit-Beef/153941384645621 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pioneer-Pit-Beef/153941384645621

I’ve been annoyed with Daniel Vaughn since, shortly after taking on his Texas Monthly gig, they changed the Texas Monthly list to being  “The top 50 BBQ Places in the World”

Using  the rational that “Texas BBQ is better than BBQ elsewhere”, so that the best 50 places in TX were automatically better than that anywhere else.

Hey, Texas BBQ is awesome.  But that was going a bit far with the bragging, since I’ve been to many a BBQ joint outside of TX (indeed, many on his current list) that were distinctly better than the bottom half of the TX Monthly Top 50 list.

As far as that current list?  At least for the ones I know, it’s a pretty good list.  Federalist Pig in DC is awesome.  Arrogant Swine in NY is also great.  Goody Cole’s in NH and Curtis’ in VT are…. well, better than the competition 🙂

I follow Daniel on Twitter and enjoy his articles. His friend is quite knowledgeable also.

http://www.robertfmoss.com/p/about.html http://www.robertfmoss.com/p/about.html 

That is a pretty good list too…

I love the choice in North Carolina, Allen and Son,

I have long been a big fan of Allen & Son, but my visit in early 2016 was bad.  Shockingly bad.  Still, I’m not going to give up on them, as there have been too many quality meals there over the years.

Anyone been there lately? 

 Remember my first experience at Lexington # 1 was dismal and my second experience (on the bus tour) was as complete turn around.

Our one and only visit to Lexington #1 was a disappointment. 

As we had driven quite a distance out of our way and had spent the night in Lexington just for the singular purpose of eating there, perhaps a bit of that was due to ‘over-anticipation’ – kinda like Clark and family finally arriving at Wally World.

Thinking back, the best BBQ experiences of my life have most always been an unexpected ‘surprise’ – like my first time eating Eastern Carolina-style ‘Cue (in Staunton, VA; since closed). 

After 11 years in Texas and enjoying many ‘big reputation’ places, the best brisket we ever had was at a (literal) shack in Lubbock:  Tom & Bingo’s.  Again, that was a surprise.

If ever I find my way back to Lexington #1 it’ll be with a bottle of Eastern Carolina sauce in my wife’s purse.  They can keep that watery, ketchup “dip”.

BB, when in Eastern Carolina never order the pulled pork shoulder; that’s for the tourists. 

Instead, order the minced whole hog; that’s what the natives get.[:p][;)]

I would never knowingly order pulled pork.  I ordered the Bar-B-Que Plate and that’s what I got.

Wow.[:(]

Next time stick to places east of I-95.[;)]

Here’s a picture of Allen & Sons pit from Yelp; I guess they are “Western Carolina” pork shoulder purveyors.  And, in leafing through the other pictures I didn’t see any vinegar/pepper sauce.[:(]

Of all the places listed, if I had to choose one:
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[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39ii9LvnDoE[/tube]

I’m headed to Savannah next week but starting in Chapel Hill and Charleston. I’m going to Charleston (there are so many reasons to go to this city!) to try Rodney Scott’s new restaurant which opened recently. I loved Scott’s in Hemingway when I was there last August and can’t wait to try the new place.

David

Loved your post, Jim.

Of all the places listed, if I had to choose one:

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39ii9LvnDoE[/tube]

As for North Carolina, here’s the difference between East([8D]) and West ([V]):

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QJ6_o-csWo[/tube]

Here is the place that should represent NC – clattering cleavers and everything but the squeal:

[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vB2ZCS3mCo[/tube]

Thanks, HBS.