The No. 1 BBQ Joint In The South Is In South Carolina—See The List Of Top 50

We often hear that the world of Southern barbecue moves slowly, sticking stubbornly to its time-worn traditions. That may have been the case a few decades ago, but here in 2025 tastes and trends seem to be shifting at a faster and faster pace. It’s been just two years since we released Southern Living’s last list of the Top 50 BBQ Joints in the South, but this year’s rankings look quite different than they did in 2023. The economics of barbecue are increasingly challenging, and the past few years have seen a half dozen former Top 50 restaurants close their...