Smoked, sauced, grilled - we love our barbeque. But which are 2021’s Best BBQ Cities in America?
With the Fourth of July right around the corner and our mouths watering, one study compared 199 of the biggest U.S. cities based on 14 key markers of a true barbeque city for serious fans. Among the factors looked at: the number of national, award-winning restaurants and chefs; whether the city has hosted at least one “master-level” competition blessed by KCBS; the number of barbeque festivals; and, of course, fan ratings.
See the 10 barbeque scenes that smoked the competition below, followed by some highlights from the report.
2021’s Best Cities for BBQ Fans
- Kansas City, MO
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Cincinnati, OH
- Memphis, TN
- Louisville, KY
- St. Louis, MO
- New York, NY
- Minneapolis, MN
- Overland Park, KS
Highlights and Lowlights
Kansas City: The BBQ Capital of America
Sorry, Memphis. Kansas City tops our list of the Best BBQ Cities. With far more winners in the World Series of Barbecue contests and the second-highest number of national excellence awards, the Heart of America is a powerhouse for quality brisket and burnt ends.
But every leader has an Achilles heel and KC’s ironically is access to BBQ restaurants, finishing at No. 108. Fortunately, iconic names — Gates, Jack Stack, Joe’s KC, and Arthur Bryant — more than make up for the lack of BBQ spots. Quality over quantity appears to be this city’s barbecue philosophy.
Nibbling in North Carolina
North Carolina makes a mediocre showing despite making up one of the four pillars of American barbecue styles — KC, Memphis, Texas, and Carolina. Raleigh finishes at No. 20, but other Tar Heel cities land farther down the list. (South Carolina has its own related but distinct style, but none of its cities was large enough to be measured in our ranking.)
Why didn’t North Carolina’s signature sauce rank higher? Maybe it’s because North Carolina ’cue culture is spread out in the state rather than concentrated in one area like Kansas City or Memphis. (Texas, too, was a mixed bag in our ranking.)
North Carolina, while not the best ranked, is still a destination for those who prefer a hint of tang and a kick of vinegar. (Just don’t get caught up in the East vs. West debate.)
Mouthwatering Midwest
Beyond Kansas City, seven more Midwestern cities place in our top 10. Clearly, the Midwest is best for premier steaks, strips, and stacks.
Chicago comes in second by jointly claiming the top spot in the Events category (an honor it shares with No. 5 Memphis, another iconic barbecue city). Seventh-place St. Louis holds the second-highest score in the Quality category, followed closely by Minneapolis, which lands in ninth. Cincinnati is No. 4.
If you’re looking for a foodie vacation, fly to the Midwest and start eating your way across the region. (Barbecue road trips are a real thing. Make sure to bring plenty of Wet-Naps.)
