As I said... I think this deep wanting is nostalgia... not the best in the world... but the price is right- and so is the sauce-

Kind of like when I go to Cali... I head to In N Out... not the greatest burger in the world... but still a good treat once in a while...

I'll agree with braslvr, Shaw's Steakhouse is very good, so is BBQ Land, both on South Broadway in Santa Maria... Heck, you can just cruise S. Broadway on a Friday or Saturday and follow the smell of smoky red oak BBQ, there are at least a half-dozen good restaurants....plus in good weather, there well likely be the same number of local service organizations (Elks, Kiwanis, Rotary, Boy Scouts, etc.) set up in parking lots with BBQs going doing take-away meals of Santa Maria BBQ.

A bit north of Santa Maria, there's Rancho Nipomo Deli & BBQ...which is a trifle closer to SLO. Or if you are flying into LAX, there's the Santa Maria BBQ Company just North of the airport in Culver City.

Being in Memphis, I can assure you that this "cuisine" is the lifeblood of the mid-south. As it is the only truly exceptional food in Memphis, it makes for extraordinary weight control problems as well. Never trust a thin bar-b-que chef!

Middle Tennessee tends to favor NC-style vinegar-based sauce on pulled pork, whereas in Memphis and West Tennessee, it's either dry-rub or more of a wet, KC-style tomatoey sauce, and you may find ribs more often than pulled pork. Personally, being from Nashville, I've never understood anything people in Memphis do, anyway. ;)

Great BBQ'S @ Both places Interstate # Pulled Pork and Slaw-Corky's Ribs

never tried Blue Note

Fat Matt's has some awesome ribs, but if you are in Atlanta and feeling really adventurous head out to Marietta to either Sam & Dave's BBQ1 or BBQ2 (BBQ2 has a larger dining room - BBQ1 has about 3 tables).

http://www.lostmountainbbq.com/

Simply the best 'cue I've ever had in Georgia and if you like brisket it's the best brisket I've ever had - beats the pants off most texas brisket I've ever had at that! When I say 'cue I'm referring to pulled pork as that's the only thing defined as 'cue here in GA.

+1 I left Tennessee a few years ago and I can tell you there is nothing better than walking down a jet bridge that smells like pulled pork. Holy boat... If you had to pick one get Interstate at the airport, and get Corky's in the city. (If you have time go to Rendezvou too... and gridleys... OMG... MEM!)

Every other city has the second best BBQ!!!

Ladies and gents, may I give you my very simple recipe for darned good pulled pork!

^

And that noun describes something to eat, not cooking equipment.

recent visit to Austin in May
 

1. Iron Works: had the beef ribs. quite good but if you're looking for falling-off-the-bone meat, they aren't that. I tried their regular sauce and at first didn't really care for it but the more I ate, the better it tasted so I ended up taking a jar home. Their hot sauce wasn't hot at all - wonder if they misfilled the bottles. I would definitely go back

2. Salt Lick: had to settle for the airport location. The brisket sandwich was good. Nice change from the usual airport fare but as a BBQ joint, hmm.

going on a BBQ pilgrimage to KC next month. Can't wait!! My plans are Bryant's, Fiorella's, Gates and Oklahoma Joe's across the river.

While you're in Kansas City try the burnt ends at LC's. Here's their website, here's a review.

... and here's a photo (from the KC BBQ Do this past April):

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-...41_2719027.jpg

oh man!! you're killing me :D

Went to Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa, AL

Not the best ever, but it was pretty darn good.

Man, you people are killing me. California is too health conscious. We're not exactly swimming in good BBQ places. Especially where I live. Luckily, a Lucille's BBQ opened up here. Maybe not the best ever (but still quite good), but the alternatives are the prepacked stuff like at Costco or Walmart. I'm serious too. It's all Mexican, Italian, or Sushi around here. Sadly, only the Mexican stuff is good (which is weird cuz I'm pretty far from Mexico).