Just last week I was complaining that LA's Barbecue Festival wasn't a real competition, even though it was the perfect opportunity to test different regions' styles against each other. Little did I realize that Paul Kirk, the "ambassador of barbecue," had done just that in his new book America's Best BBQ.
Kirk -- who hails from Kansas City -- is a pit-master (he's won in the open competition at American Royal) and is a certified master barbecue judge. For his new book, which comes out tomorrow, he ate and gathered recipes at barbecue joints all over the country.
Most of the book is centered around 100 recipes Kirk collected, but in the back of the book he ranks his top 10 barbecue restaurants in the country. Kansas City has two of them.
His number one is The Dixie Pig in Blytheville, Arkansas, but at number two is Kansas City, Kansas' Oklahoma Joe's and at number 10 is Arthur Bryant's.
Kansas City is the only city with two spots on the list, though there are two Texas and two Arkansas locations. Memphis is represented by Leonard's Pit. No North Carolina restaurants made the list.
Here is the full Top 10:
1. The Dixie Pig
2. Oklahoma Joe's
3. Cooper's Barbecue, Junction, Texas
4. Cooper's Old Time Pit Barbecue, Llano, Texas
5. RUB (Righteous Urban Barbecue), New York City
6. Danny's Place, Carlsbad, New Mexico
7. Leonard's Pit Barbecue, Memphis, Tennessee
8. Ironhorse Barbecue, Paragould, Arkansas
9. Head Country Barbecue, Ponca City, Oklahoma
10. Arthur Bryant's
(Image via Flickr: Zampano)
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I travel all over the Midsouth area for work and frequent many a BarbQ joint. The best slaw is at Bill's in Kennet and the Best Barb-Q might be the Dixie Pig in Blytheville. As for Memphis...Ribs @ Rendezvous and samiches (thats how your supposed to say it) @ Bryant's.
Paul Kirk is embarrasingly provincial!
No place in the Carolinas or Alabama or Georgia makes it to his list ?
I think his list might be better titled: "Places I Can Get Free Barbecue".
O the Memphis Q joints mentioned by Susan: Payne's and Cozy Corner are the real deal.
Interstate is a little overrated. Central BBQ is also a little overrated. I would rate the BBQ Shop and Germantown Commissary (of Memphis area Q places over Central and Interstate's.
Leonard's has been in business since 1922 and has a great signature sauce and signature slaw. Leonard's is one of the few places that I like both the wet and dry ribs. Irocally, Leonard's Daughter and son-in-law opened a long gone place in the 70's called Bills BBQ. Leonard's daughter Thelma had the best ribs compared to her father (Leonard's)and her son (Tommy's). If you get curious, Leonard's Grandson has his own BBQ location called Tommy's in Southaven MS.
Hmmm looks like the above commenter is the owner of "One and Only BBQ and More" ... Well, now I am definitely going there. Here's hoping you don't disappoint!
You obviously have not eaten at One & Only BBQ and More on Kirby and Poplar. It is hands down the best BBQ in the south.
Please, do not judge Memphis barbecue by Leonards. There are so many better options...Paynes, Cozy Corner, Central and Interstate to name four.
Hmm I'll definitely check out both Cooper's in TX soon. I haven't googled around for them yet but that is kind of odd if they are owned by the same family and he put them 3-4 on this list...
I'm going to Memphis in a few weeks and haven't decided yet which BBQ joint to try so maybe Leonard's will be it. Although I have to say, Oklahoma Joe's and Bryant's wouldn't be my two picks for KC(LC's and Danny Edwards) and though I haven't had Cooper's, I find it hard to believe they are better than Smitty's and Snow's.
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