By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, we join Kyle, aka the Geography King, for his list of the 10 best states for BBQ in the USA. If you are an RVer who loves BBQ as much as Kyle does, you are going to want to check out this great barbecue itinerary.
Kyle starts the video by educating the audience on the regional variations of BBQ across the U.S. and how BBQ means different things depending on where you are. For the purpose of this video, Kyle uses the Southern definition, meaning a type or style of food. Beyond that, though, each region or state has its own distinctive style of BBQ.
Some of the states on the list are expected, but Kyle has thrown in some surprises, too.
The Geography King’s 10 best states for BBQ in the U.S.
#10 Hawaii: Hawaiian BBQ is also known as Kahlua Pork, a whole hog that’s wrapped in leaves and smoked underground, covered in volcanic rocks. The end result is a Hawaiian-style pulled pork that serves as a centerpiece for most luaus.
#9 Mississippi: While there is not a specific BBQ style unique to the state, Mississippi has many outstanding individual BBQ restaurants. Look for goat BBQ in the northwest part of the state.
#8 California: California is famous for its Tri-Tip BBQ, found primarily in the central part of the state.
#7 Alabama: Alabama BBQ chicken with mayonnaise-based white BBQ sauce is a style unique to this state.
#6 Tennessee: Overall, Kyle says that Tennessee does not have great BBQ, but it does have the best fried chicken. He does say that the southwest corner of the state, near Memphis, makes up for the dearth of good BBQ in the rest of the state. Memphis-style BBQ features dry-rubbed pork ribs. They may or may not be served with a sauce.
#5 New Mexico: Traditional NM BBQ features a spicy slow-cooked beef brisket also known as barbacoa.
#4 Texas: Texas BBQ is all about the smoked beef brisket, almost always served without sauce.
#3 North Carolina: The Carolinas are known for their whole hog BBQ, which gives you tender pork and crispy skin. They also make a lot of slow-cooked pulled pork. Carolina BBQ will almost always be served with sauce: a tomato-based sauce in the northern part of the state, and a vinegar-and-pepper-based sauce that is more prevalent in other parts of the state and what it is known for.
#2 South Carolina: The South Carolina Lowcountry is known for whole hog BBQ similar to North Carolina, but the sauce is different. You can find the vinegar-and-pepper-based sauces in the coastal areas. But when folks think of SC BBQ, they are usually thinking of the state’s mustard-based BBQ sauce.
#1 Missouri: With the one-two punch of Kansas City and St. Louis, expect to find great ribs here. Pork ribs are most popular, but you can also find beef ribs. Most places will have homemade sauce to go with the ribs, but they are also delicious without it. Kansas City sauce is usually thicker and St. Louis style is thinner and more vinegar-based.
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RVDT2916
Thank you for noting and summarizing the video, Cheri. I lived in Alabama for more than four years and regularly ate at the barbeque restaurants (Auburn, Birmingham, Opelika, and Tuscaloosa) and never heard of white sauce. I don’t know that it existed many places until it started appearing in barbeque articles. Still haven’t tried it; seems just wrong unless making a sandwich. Have a great week and safe travels!
Texas BBQ is almost never served with sauce? Wrongo Moosebreath.
Usually on the side, tomato based, vinegar tang, not sweet, some heavy on the black pepper. add as you want.
Texas. Nuf said.