You really have to separate by subspecies of BBQ. Comparing Texas and Memphis or KC and South Carolina is pretty meaningless. On that note a really nice thing about Virgils in NYC is that it actually has most of the different styles represented. The same is somewhat true of at least the original Red Hot and Blue in Arlington, Va. which had a couple styles at least. I would say neither of these places were at the top level in either style but then again neither are some of the other places that have been mentioned. Im most familiar (and fond I suppose) of Texas BBQ. I would think a real afficionado would consider County Line to be a bit of a laugher in this. Best Texas BBQ is in Lockhart. My personal favorite from years ago was Black's but I have heard great things about Kruez's as well. In Austin, Iron Works was a very good serious BBQ place.