Barbecue is a favorite not just down South but in many other regions. And what better way to celebrate summer and the July 4th holiday than by eating some grilled meat drenched in the sauce of your choice. I have been to Kansas City a few times since my sister moved there and I will admit they have some great barbecue. But we have found some great choices close our Northwest Georgia home. We have not been to every barbecue joint in the region so feel free to make some suggestions. Here are a few of our favorites and some sent in by our readers. These are in no particular order listed by state.
Alabama
Pruett’s Bar-B-Q, Gadsden
We love Gadsden, Ala. and on our last trip, I let my husband choose the restaurant. He chose Pruett’s. We got there on a Friday at around 1:30 p.m. and the place was still packed. But the food was worth the wait. I decided to get the sampler plate that no only included barbecue but their famous catfish and chicken tenders. My husband loves the Gospel Bird so of course he ordered the smoked chicken. The meat is great but the sauce is sweeter than I am used to eating. I know it’s not barbecue but let me make a plug for the chicken tenders—homemade and cooked to perfection. Gadsden has a lot of good places to eat (Top o’ the River is just across the street), but we are going to make it a priority to go back here.
Georgia
Dub’s High on the Hog, Calhoun
For years my husband passed by a log-cabin style building on U.S. 41 in Calhoun that always had a lot of cars in the parking lot. We finally stopped one day and were kicking ourselves for not stopping sooner. Dub’s High on the Hog will leave you high on their barbecue and wanting more. We have been back a couple of times and have tried a few things. My favorite is the pork plate. Their sides are amazing, too (be sure to try some baked beans).
Tennessee
Edley’s Bar-B-Q, Nashville
I almost always take a picture of my food when we eat out. Sadly, I was just too hungry the day we visited Edley’s Bar-B-Q in Nashville. Again, I had the pork plate. The meat was just as good without any sauce. And I loved the potato salad and baked beans. I snuck a taste of my son’s macaroni and cheese and wished I had ordered another side. We are hoping to visit the one in Chattanooga, soon.
Our favorite chain
When Moe’s Original Barbecue first came to my hometown of Rome, Ga., I didn’t realize they have locations across the country. This great Southern food is available in California and Wyoming among a lot of other places.
I have never had a bad meal at Moe’s. I usually get the pork plate of sandwich. But on one of our visits my husband ordered the Redneck Nachos. That was a favorite for a while. Then a Facebook friend told me to try the mahi-mahi. It was the best fish dish I have ever had. As for the sides, I love their macaroni and cheese and the banana pudding (I hope my doctor isn’t reading this) . My family has never had a bad meal here.
Reader’s choices
Alicia Evans Brown mentioned Character’s Famous BBQ in Adairsville, Ga. We were going to mention it, too. Michael Character has competed across the country and was featured on Pitmasters. This is another restaurant where you hate to put sauce on the meat because it’s so tasty without it. But the sauces are so good. My favorite side is the baked beans.
Debby Zeigler loves Zeigler’s BBQ on Cobb Parkway in Acworth. We have not been there but we plan to visit soon!
What’s your favorite barbecue? Let us know in the comments!