After we thoroughly derailed the discussion of where to have lunch next month with the Top Hat discussion, I thought I would start a discussion, where else, in the Bar and Grille, to solicit everyone's favorite BBQ haunts. As someone who owns two smokers, has entered multiple competitions and placed several times (though I'm still seeking my first win), I guess I'll go first.
But first, some quick definitions and rules:
Barbecue, BBQ, Bar-B-Que (choose your spelling, the AP uses the first): Slow cooked, over indirect low heat, preferably between 200-250 degrees, for whatever time is necessary (salmon I can do in an hour or two; ribs about 12, whole hog 24-36 hours).
Grilling: What most people do at home, over direct high heat. Best for hamburgers, hot dogs and steaks. Little else.
If the only place you've ever eaten barbecue is Pat's Full Moon or something along those lines, don't bother to vote. Their barbecue is adequate, but no where near the quality of the places listed below. In fact, unless something has dramatically changed in Birmingham in the past few years or so, no one in the area makes quality competition-ready barbecue.
And now, my nominations:
Best restaurant BBQ I've ever had: Huntsville (Texas) New Zion Missionary Baptist Church BBQ. Not only is it a barbecue joint in a church, it's staffed entirely by church volunteers. All you can eat is just $7, and it's top notch quality Q. Their ribs literally melt in your mouth. Close second: Virgil's BBQ, Times Square in New York. This guy traveled across the country to more than 1,000 BBQ restaurants before he opened the place. He has maps of the U.S. for placements with BBQ places on them he's heard of but never visited. One is Dreamland. I took him a bottle of dreamland sauce and an apron one time on a visit, and he gave me my meal for free. Virgil's a nice guy. Has has six cooks who man his smoker 24 hours a day, taking the meat off only when it's "perfect". Close third, Sonny Bryan's, Dallas, Texas.
Best competition BBQ I've ever had: A competition team called "Asleep at the Grille." Their ribs and pork are the best I've ever had -- and given the number of wins they have in those two categories, lots of others agree with me. Buffalo's BBQ is one of the best at chicken. I personally don't think anyone makes a better brisket than do I, but sadly, I've not yet found any judges who agree.
One of the best BBQ sandwiches Ive ever had was from Reggi's in Jackson TN. They are NOT open on Sunday when I'm usually coming home from my Uncle's house in Missouri.
<a href='http://local.yahoo.com/details;_ylt=AiOX1Hz1X.kQwg3P3Y2wmXyHNcIF;_ylu=X3oDMTBpZzIyMjd0BF9zAzk2NjEzNzY5BHNlYwNzcg--?id=15085679&state=TN&city=Jackson&stx=Reggi%26%2339%3Bs&csz=Jackson%2C+TN&fr=FP-tab-lcl-t&uzip=38301&ed=7KDE_K131Dw9eMlnc.8B6RcF9H181_nq9w9hXbgrESc48c7A1D30u3S2&lcscb=' target='_blank'>Reggi's</a>
When my wife and build our new house, I will make sure there is enough brick ordered for me to build my own pit. Here are some good plans I found on the net.
<a href='http://www.ibiblio.org/lineback/bbq/wdh.htm' target='_blank'>Wilbur D. Hog BBQ pit</a>
Two come to mind for me...
One is Witt's (I believe that's the spelling) in Nashville.
The other is a place in Newnan, Georgia. The name escapes me right now, but it was outstanding.
when i was in high school our baseball team would sell boston butts that were cooked by our elks lodge. those things were juicy and tender.
chuch's bbq in opelika aint too shabby either.
Interstate BBQ in Memphis
Gates BBQ in Kansas City.
Bozo's BBQ in Mason TN
I like Rendevous & Corkys in Memphis
Smokehouse in Millbrook is real good also. The beans are loaded with BBQ meat. Tasty
Full Moon BBQ's downtown location is the best I've tasted.
In Birmingham, I prefer Jim N' Nicks.
Is Costas still around in Bham? I think that was the name. There was one on Lorna Road where the theatre is (was?)
^ Jim N Nicks is my favorite BHM barbecue as well. And yes, Costas is still around as well.
Memphis, the one on Lorna Road is now called Costas Meditteranean Cafe.
The barbecue restaurant off Finley Boulevard and the one on Springville Road are still there.
The Pit is damn good.............and the green top isn't too shabby either. The best bbq in Bham comes from yours truely. My ribs and pork collar can rival any bbq in bham, all I need is my fathers smoker (which is on 15 inch wheels).
zlcuab Wrote:The Pit is damn good.............and the green top isn't too shabby either. The best bbq in Bham comes from yours truely. My ribs and pork collar can rival any bbq in bham, all I need is my fathers smoker (which is on 15 wheels).
ill give him that. zlc only knows 2 things, cooking and investing. his dad's grille/smoker comes on its own trailor. he also cooks some decent crawfish.
Mmmmmmm. Riga's BBQ. BITD. Large BBQ tenderloin plate. Damn Palisades half empty mall bought it out and tore it down.
I remember Riga's. It was good. As a kid, I got my hair cut at the barber shop next door and the smell would make me starved by the end of the haircut.
Memphis Blazer Wrote:In Birmingham, I prefer Jim N' Nicks.
Is Costas still around in Bham? I think that was the name. There was one on Lorna Road where the theatre is (was?)
Costa's for BBQ? Eww...
But I would go there for their Chicken Marsala...YUM!
MB, did you ever eat at Arthur Bryant's in Kansas City? I much prefer it to Gates, especially now that Gates has gone so commercial, and actually pre-cooks its BBQ off site at several of its locations and just re-warms it in the restaurant.
I worked in Kansas City in 1991 for about three months. I had heard of Arthur Bryants as the best in town, but could never find it. Gates was pretty good then as was KC Masterpiece. (I think this was before they started bottling their sauce and became famous for that)
LJBlazerFan Wrote:Memphis, the one on Lorna Road is now called Costas Meditteranean Cafe.
The barbecue restaurant off Finley Boulevard and the one on Springville Road are still there.
There's a Costa's on Lakeshore and in Trussville as well.
I live out that way, and, if I'm in the mood for Costa's I go right past the one in Trussville to the one on Old Springville Road.
Food, as good as ever. Survice, stunningly bad.
I'll still take Top Hat. Either location. For those who don't know they now have two locations. The original and now one in Cullman. They still cook the meat in Blount County and bring it up to Cullman.
We have watched several UAB basketball games there this past year. One of the waitresses knows my buch as those UAB people. This may end up being where the Cullman Alumni chapter watches the Memphis game this fall. If they only had beer....
Is that a Costas in that old Hot & Now location at Wildwood?
BlazerPhil Wrote:When my wife and build our new house, I will make sure there is enough brick ordered for me to build my own pit. Here are some good plans I found on the net.
<a href='http://www.ibiblio.org/lineback/bbq/wdh.htm' target='_blank'>Wilbur D. Hog BBQ pit</a>
Wow, I may be making one of those pits here in Puebla... that looks cool! Then I could get some BBQ here! When I first came into town, I saw signs that said barbacoa - thinking that it was may be BBQ, I got a little excited. Then I realized that it is sheep or goat :( It is good, just not Jim N Nicks!
I like the Comissary and Leonards in Memphis.... great BBQ!!! Leonards has a great buffet but the problem is you need to hire a personal security guard to eat there. The last time I went, someone's car was stolen while he was eating inside!
LJBlazerFan Wrote:Is that a Costas in that old Hot & Now location at Wildwood?
I think so. All I know for sure is that it's a dinky little place.
Haven't eaten there, though. Just driven past it a few times.
Randy White's Hall of Fame BBQ in Dallas is excellent.
STLouis Blazer Wrote:Randy White's Hall of Fame BBQ in Dallas is excellent.
Now if we are getting into Dallas/Fort Worth BBQ, then you have to mention Risky's BBQ. When I lived in Fort Worth, we would go there for their all you can eat ribs ($9.95). The problem is that most of the BBQ in Texas is an insult to good BBQ because it is beef and not pork.
BTR
You guys are killing me! I am now longing for some good BBQ. My sister is flying in on Sunday... maybe she can bring me some... Although, if I ask her to bring food, it would probably be Milos. When I lived in Costa Rica, someone brought me 4 Milo burgers, fries, and a gallon of sweet tea. Wow, that was good... back to reality... beans and tortillas....
BTR
I'll make it worse for you BTR, about a month ago we had the "Rib Fest" tour in STL....I had ribs from championship cooking teams from Memphis, Chicago, TX, North Carolina, etc.
It was awesome.
STLouis Blazer Wrote:I'll make it worse for you BTR, about a month ago we had the "Rib Fest" tour in STL....I had ribs from championship cooking teams from Memphis, Chicago, TX, North Carolina, etc.
It was awesome.
You are cruel... absolutely heartless...
I am going to the states in a few months but I am going to IDAHO???? I guess I will enjoy some french fries while I am there :(
Lessee, in no particular order... Top Hat rules. Green Top is good too, but not as good. I like Demitri's in Homewood, particularly their chicken. Their beans may be the best in town. Golden Rule is consistent, makes a decent Q. Jim n Nick's is good, but I've never had a french fry there that wasn't greasy and limp. And god but I miss the Tired Texan.
In Fort Worth - it ain't barbecue, but Stockman's Steakhouse has beef to die for. I think the best tenderloin I ever ate was there.
UAB Band Dad Wrote:In Fort Worth - it ain't barbecue, but Stockman's Steakhouse has beef to die for. I think the best tenderloin I ever ate was there.
It is a good steak (but I have had better). We went there the week before we moved away from Fort Worth. I thought, why have I lived here four years and wait until now to eat here!!!
Sorry to derail slightly but I have to share with you the best steak. In Puebla, Mexico there is a place called La Estancia. My wife and I went there a couple of months ago and it was incredible. They bring all of the steaks to the table and you pick your steak. I ordered a 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) sirloin that actually beat the Stockman's Steakhouse. This steak was absolutely incredible. When it was placed in front of me, I said... that's it? You don't have anything bigger. He thought I was serious and said that of course, they have some that are bigger. I think I ate on that steak for my next three meals :)
:friedgen:
BTW, I am going back there tomorrow night :eek2:
BTR Wrote:UAB Band Dad Wrote:In Fort Worth - it ain't barbecue, but Stockman's Steakhouse has beef to die for. I think the best tenderloin I ever ate was there.
It is a good steak (but I have had better). We went there the week before we moved away from Fort Worth. I thought, why have I lived here four years and wait until now to eat here!!!
Sorry to derail slightly but I have to share with you the best steak. In Puebla, Mexico there is a place called La Estancia. My wife and I went there a couple of months ago and it was incredible. They bring all of the steaks to the table and you pick your steak. I ordered a 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) sirloin that actually beat the Stockman's Steakhouse. This steak was absolutely incredible. When it was placed in front of me, I said... that's it? You don't have anything bigger. He thought I was serious and said that of course, they have some that are bigger. I think I ate on that steak for my next three meals :)
:friedgen:
BTW, I am going back there tomorrow night :eek2:
I have had steaks all over the country and I have never had one better than at BOB'S STEAK AND CHOP in Dallas!!!!! By far the best steak money can buy (I have not been to Lugers in NYC). Also FYI Sonny Bryants in DFW is pretty good and although a lot of the BBQ in Texas is beef brisket most of the places I have been have pork ribs. Cheers
Hmm...best barbeque places I've eaten....
I would have to say:
1. Dreamland (I love their sauce)
2. Famous Dave's in Florence
I don't really have a 3rd. Those 2 places really stick out to me.
Famous Daves is really good for a chain. I havent been there in a while. The rib tips were tasty
Yeah, rib tips is what I get when I go there. Seems like quite a bit of stuff with the rib tips + all of the side items for under $10.
Just to make BTR jealous, I spent 10 hours yesterday outside drinking beer and tending to my smoker, which contained a 6 lb. chicken and 10 lbs. of ribs. We had some friends over last night, and thoroughly enjoyed the bountiful feast contained within. It was VERY good, if I do say so myself, so good in fact, that two of the people there seriously tried to get me to open a restaurant in town, that they would finance. Since we have no barbecue of any kind in Kirksville, I'm giving it some thought......
UAB Kirksville Wrote:Just to make BTR jealous, I spent 10 hours yesterday outside drinking beer and tending to my smoker, which contained a 6 lb. chicken and 10 lbs. of ribs. We had some friends over last night, and thoroughly enjoyed the bountiful feast contained within. It was VERY good, if I do say so myself, so good in fact, that two of the people there seriously tried to get me to open a restaurant in town, that they would finance. Since we have no barbecue of any kind in Kirksville, I'm giving it some thought......
Man, you guys are cruel! I don't want the beer but I do want the bbq!!! If you open it up, I may stop by for a visit. I will be in Missouri later this year!
If you are ever in Central Florida, O'Boys and Bubbalou's are two excellent barbecue joints. They have multiple locations in the Orlando area.