Absolutely not. Tried there 2 months ago.

Have to report a very disappointing meal at Gates in KC on my last trip to the area. I am always ready to cut the BBQ restaurants some slack when it comes to the brusque, in your face method of ordering, but Gates takes that to a new level. As to the food, of the several things we had (chicken, burnt ends, beans, etc.) there was nothing that seemed on a par with the better restaurants we have been to in the area (Arthur Bryant's, Q39, Jack Stack, Joe's, Smokehouse, among others).

IIRC, this is the chain of BBQ places where they yell, "Hi may I help you!?" when you walk in. I didn't find it that over the top when I went there, but I agree that there are definitely better places to eat BBQ in KC.

Gates doesn't even make my top 10. I'd say I'm in there 1-2 times a year because somebody I'm with has never been there, has heard they yell at you, and wants to yell back "beef on bun!"

OK, that's fun...once...but the barbecue is mediocre. Those people never bug me to go back again.

Interesting question, since there aren't a lot of "nice" places. I'm in KC often because I have family there, and have to say I'm not a fan of Jack Stack, but they all love it. It's not that it isn't good, it just isn't as good to me as Joe's or Arthur Bryant's. But perhaps it's also a mind trick, where I've never associated a nicer restaurant with good BBQ. I'll have to pay more attention next time!

I am moving to Charlotte soon - I guess I'll just have to try all 3 ^

As a traveler to the North Carolina area on a monthly basis, I found two holes in the wall places that were very tasty.
Dickie-Do's BBQ in Haw River
Byrd's Barbecue near Durham

Finally made it to Heim in Fort Worth - spectacular food. I haven't made it over to Pecan Lodge, but I've heard people say that Heim's brisket is a bit better. The bacon burnt ends are unreal.

Can grab a beer from the outside counter while waiting in line too :D

Not the best-but a fun event. Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival in Baltimore this weekend.

http://www.beerandbourbon.com/home

It's a tour. $49.99 you get a glass to sample (no exaggeration) 100+ beers and bourbons from around the country. Food is paid, but it was good. I had some good brisket and ribs. Plus a plate of oysters. My son and I had a great afternoon. He's in walking distance of the event. Then my wife picked me up. :D

Each bourbon sample is a shot, each beer sample about 6 oz. You can have as much as you like.

Hit up Bogart's Smokehouse in St. Louis last weekend and had the best ribs I've ever had. Furthermore, they do a pretty good burnt ends for not being in St. Louis. Slaw was also excellent though the potato salad was a little below par.

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I do wish they had beer though

Can you describe the ribs?

Thanks for the report. Anywhere one needs to check out in TUS?

BBQ in Tuscon? If I go there it's going to be Mexican food, day and night

OT for this thread, of course, but I recall this place in TUS being worth a stop: https://goo.gl/maps/MaoaaS3qEMU2

Daaaaaaaammnnnn. :cool:

I'd definitely need a ride home after that.

Brought some home to ANC last time :cool:

I went to the Tucson Tamale Shop with my daughter, 4-5 years ago when she was going to the U of A. Pretty good.

Eli's in Cincinnati. My new favorite, ever. Awesome pulled pork.

If you go to the Sports Arena location, sure. I've had pretty good luck just walking in at their other locations though.

Another good BBQ place that may be more agreeable to people (Phil's sometimes isn't seen as authentic) is Coop's BBQ over in Lemon Grove.

Found it ok, but a bit more industrial of a cooking operation.

They do carry his sauce at the local Costco's (or at least did). Might still have a bottle at home (but probably gone). I like mine sweeter and spicier myself.

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Need help choosing some BBQ sauce. I want to order maybe five or six bottles from www.thekansascitybbqstore.com. Last year I brought maybe six or seven bottles back to the UK and found that we really liked Joe's, Smokehouse, and Q39's spicy variety. Did not care for the vinegar types like Arthur Bryant's and thought Gates was the worst of the bunch. So, maybe something in style to the other three? Also, not Stubbs, KC Masterpiece, Jack Daniels, or any that are severely mass marketed.

Mass marketed or not, Famous Dave's Devil's Spit is the best BBQ sauce I've ever tasted from a bottle sold in stores. It's all I buy now.

Thanks. Only see a "Dave's Gourmet Insanity Sauce" from that shop and presume a different brand than Famous Dave's. Will look for it next time I'm in the US though.

I may with you

Adding The Smoke Pit in Concord, NC to this list. WOW!

Excellent choice, I had a great meal there last year and need to go back.

I am going back in March - taking my father when he visits from New York. Excited.

Had Currituck BBQ today...excellent North Carolina BBQ.

Definitely, the Joint in New Orleans. Best place for BBQ ever ;) I love getting BBQ that taste amazing before you even add sauce!

Phil's in San Diego is the best I've ever had.

Phil's is decent but I wouldn't call it the best ever. I'm not even sure it's the best in San Diego, to be honest.

Speaking of which, I went to a BBQ place inside Westfield Garden State Plaza last month that was pretty decent. I don't recall the name of it at the moment though.

Noooo...

Had a Z Man sandwich in MCI last month. Damn tasty- had to eat it onboard as I was running rather late for my flight... imagine it would have been even better eaten there. Wish I had more time to order more stuff there, but was at Jack Stack right before that visit :o

New spot for me, Cou-yon's BBQ in Allen, LA (just west of Baton Rouge). Your typical southern style no frills location in terms of the interior (wooden benches, counter service, no booze etc.) but incredibly friendly employees and a great menu. They do loaded baked potatoes just the way I think a BBQ place should and their ribs were good too. They also have amazing sides.

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A new BBQ place is going to open near me soon: https://sandiego.eater.com/2018/12/1...-public-market

I'll have to go down there once they open and see if it's a contender for best BBQ.

You know what. I am going to defend this!

I lived in San Diego for six years before moving to Charlotte. After moving here I was engaged with a client in Alabama where I ate a lot of fantastic BBQ. Fast forward to two weeks ago I was visiting San Diego, and you know what was 2nd on my list after In-N-Out burger.....Phil's. It's really good!! Now, I won't take it over The Rib Joint in Dana Point but that's not in San Diego so it's staying on the sidelines for now. Phil's makes great ribs in a killer sauce with really really great fries! I'm ride-or-die (as the kids say) for Phil's!

BBQ
 

I was going to name this thread "good bbq" but of course no one wants bad bbq. My reason for starting this thread is, I just finished watching Chefs Table BBQ on netflix and have spent the past 2 days drooling. I want good BBQ.

Where do you go for good bbq? Have you been to any of the legendary pits? Have you met legendary pitmasters? Is it worth travelling just to eat this BBQ?

Yes it’s worth traveling from uk to USA for bbq. Thankfully every usa state has bbq that’s from another usa region. It’s like eating Indian food in London. Every restaurant CAN offer Indian food from the owner’s home region. Or Chinese or most cuisines. I just don’t think there’s American bbq in Europe.
that said, I’ve had brasilian steakhouse cuisine in China.

FlyerTalkers did or still fly to MEM for the bbq restaurant at the Memphis airport.

Salt Lick Cellars in AUS is supposedly good too, but I flew through too early in the morning last time to actually order anything and see for myself.