Our Top 9 Best BBQ in the USA!

We just LOVE BBQ here at Family Days Out, and the United States is synonymous with incredible mouthwatering BBQ joints. 

So we wanted to share our Top 9 Best BBQ in the USA with you, but if you have discovered any that we haven't listed - comment below! We would love to hear about them!

Are you ready to explore these incredible best bbq locations across America? Let's go!

1. Rodney Scotts BBQ - Various Locations across South Carolina, Alabama & Georgia

 Rodney Scott exploded onto the BBQ scene when his flagship store in South Carolina opened, but this BBQ legend has been perfecting the art since middle school!

In fact, that flagship store is SO popular you can't even phone them due to high demand!

What makes them so great is Scott's understanding of the history of the craft. Notable mentions to the "King of the Menu" original whole hog pork sandwich and loaded tater truck!

He even has his own cookbook! (We at Family Days Out own it, and we can confidently say the rub is THE best we have ever tried!)

Image Credit: Rodney Scotts

2. Big Bob Gibson BBQ- Two locations in Decatur, Alabama

With two locations across Alabama, Big Bob Gibson is a staple of the state! The original Mr Gibson invented a deliciously spectatular white BBQ sauce back in the 1920s, and is worth the visit alone.

From the wonderfully tender BBQ pork shoulder to the spatchcocked chicken, this BBQ wonder now run by Bob Gibson's grandson is a must for our Top 9 Best BBQ!

Make sure you check out the "World Championship Plates" - yes, a whole selection of award-winning dishes from Bar-B-Q Chicken Platter to St. Louis Cut Spare Ribs Platter - you can't go wrong!

Bob Gibson may have started his BBQ life with a makeshift oak plank table nailed to a sycamore tree in his back garden back in 1925, but today has created a delicious legacy. 

Image Credit: Big Bob Gibson's BBQ

3. Fincher's Bar-B-Q - Four locations across central Georgia

Fincher's Bar-B-Q is one of the oldest running BBQ joints in the state, having been a staple for locals (and tourists alike!) since 1935.

It's good ol' fashioned southern BBQ along with dishes such as their famous sandwiches and rib plates! What's also great about Fincher's is that is has a no-frills vibe - so a visit you feel like you could be there back in the 30s and 40s. Just simple, classic, and all about the food and characters you'll meet. 

It also happens to be "out of this world"! Fincher's BBQ was served on a NASA Space Mission in 1969!

Image Credit: Fincher's Bar-B-Q

4. Skylight Inn BBQ - Ayden, North Carolina

Operating since 1947, it's been said by some that the Skylight Inn BBQ is THE best BBQ in the entire USA! That's a big call, so why not visit to see if it stands up to the acclaim?

(In 1979 National Geographic published a book called "Back Roads America" and proclaimed Skylight Inn BBQ some of the best!)

Even then President Regan and Vice President Bush enjoyed some!

Skylight Inn BBQ is also known to the locals as Pete Hogs BBQ as it was a man named Pete Jones who started the business at the tender age of 17.  Today, the business is run by Pete's son, nephew and grandson, and still uses wood to smoke the old fashioned way.

Image Credit: Skylight Inn BBQ

5. Moonlite Bar-B-Q - Owensboro, Kentucky

Moonlite Bar-B-Q originally started back in 1949, and was taken over by Catherine and Pappy Bosley in 1963, who turned it into this incredible special BBQ business you find today.

What's lovely about Moonlite is that in a world of chains, this Kentucky icon has remained a family business, today run by the Bosley children and grand-children.

Moonlite is known for many things, but particularly known for it's use of mutton which a lot of other BBQ joints don't offer on the menu - but Moonlite perfected it! If you really want to indulge, head in for one of their famous buffets...!

They also use a delicious vinegar-based dip and hickory smoke which creates a flavor you will be going back for time and time again! Even Al Gore enjoyed it!

Image Credit: Moonlite Bar-B-Q

6. Snow's BBQ - Lexington, Texas

Texas is the king of BBQ, so to come out as one of the best in the state is a real feat! But Snow's BBQ does just that!

Owner Kerry Bexley knew that in a small town such as Lexington a BBQ would be in demand, and he was right! Today, their Saturday BBQ's have become a tradition, helmed by octogenarian pit boss Ms. Tootie Tomanetz (and she knows how to work those coals!)

Open only Saturdays you best get there quick because they just stay open until they are sold out! What we love about Snow's BBQ is they keep the menu simple. Meat selections include pork spare ribs, brisket, jalepeno sausage and turkey breast. Side selections include potato salad, cole slaw and pinto beans.

Make sure you stop and say hi to Ms Tootie for us!

Image Credit: Snow's BBQ

7. Joe's Kansas City BBQ - Three Locations in Kansas City, Kansas

The original Joe's Kansas City BBQ is still located in the same gas station it opened in, and that is the one that is worth the visit if you want to enjoy incredible BBQ AND see a slice of history!

It was back in 1990 that Jeff and Joy Stehney attended a BBQ contest for the very first time, and they were hooked! After that, they knew it was something they HAD to do. 

The, Jeff and Joy spotted an opportunity when a local gas station had an opening for a small food business. After being in business with BBQ legend Joe Don Davidson, from 1997 they ended up sole owners of Joe's Kansas City BBQ and the rest is history! 

Don't miss The Rocket Pig speciality sandwich!

Image Credit: Joe's Kansas City BBQ

8. Stanley's Famous Pit Bar-B-Q - Tyler, Texas

Texas clocks up another Top 9 Best BBQ listeing with Stanley's Famous Pit Bar-B-Q! This mom-and-pop BBQ joint has an incredibly extensive menu, AND (for the parents) over 100 American craft whisky's to wash it down with!

In fact, Stanley's is the oldest operating mom-and-pop joint in Tyler, and has been operating for over 60 years! That's a LOT of families leaving with rather filled tummies!

The menu features BBQ favorites such as perfect brisket, baby back ribs and freshly made sausages, as well as other treats that might just surprise you, including tacos, Fritto pies and even vegetarian options!

They often sell out as everything is made fresh daily, so it's a good idea to call ahead to check if they still have your favorite items on the menu. 

Image Credit: Stanley's Famous Pit Bar-B-Q

9. Bogarts Smokehouse - St. Louis, Missouri

Wanting to do something different, Bogarts Smokehouse puts a spin on your traditional American BBQ.

Have you ever tried dry-rubbed ribs with a caramelized apricot glaze? Once you try it, you'll realize why it fast became a customer favorite!

Also on the menu are succulent pulled pork, moist turkey and melt in your mouth pastrami - you can also buy family combos which are great for feeding all those little ones!

Bogarts are only open Tuesdays to Saturdays, and they stay open until 4:30pm unless they run out - so get in quick!

As well as dining in-store, you can also order grab'n'go where they can smoke, vacuum seal, and freeze your BBQ ready to travel so you can enjoy it at home!

Image Credit: Bogarts Smokehouse

Have you enjoyed taking a trip through our Top 9 Best BBQ in the USA as much as we have?

So next time you are on a good ol' fashioned American road trip, or visiting from overseas and want to experience something AMAZING, visit one of our Top 9 Best BBQ joints and don't forget to comment below and let us know what you think!

Main Image Credit: Rodney Scotts