Summer's in full swing, and that means the kids are driving you crazy vacation, vacation, vacation! Ditch the tired Caribbean and load up the car for a Southern BBQ trip, where the adventure lies in the journey as much as the destination.

The following suggestions are from a bona fide BBQ connoisseur, from Texas (so he knows BBQ), with a love for North Carolina's vinegar-based sauce. [Note: The suggestions are for the very best of the eastern part of the

South, which includes Georgia, Tennessee, and both North and South

Carolina. Texas is not included in this list.]

But before we get to the list, here are some BBQ facts you should know:

(1) BBQ should never be fancy. (2) The best BBQ comes out of an old building that looks like it will collapse at any moment, because

of the years of smoke damage it has endured. (3) Putting a piece of meat

on the grill, i.e. grilling, is not the same as barbecuing. Barbecuing

requires indirect heat, wood smoke, and a lot of time. (4) The South is famous for having the best BBQ in the country, but it still varies

greatly between and within states in style of cooking, marinating, and

choice of meat. 

And finally, for those who don't love food as

much as we do (really?), there are great adventures throughout the South

for you to enjoy as well, like white-water rafting, kayaking, hiking,

bird-watching, blues singing...

Tom Jenkins Bar-B-Q

1236 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL

33316
954-522-5046
How could you not begin with this classic?

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

1811 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

404-607-1622 ‎

Porker's BBQ

1251 Market St., Chattanooga, TN 37402
423-267-2726

Judge's Express - Hickory

1975 U.S. Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602

828-324-0020

The Pit

328 W. Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601

919-890-4500

Cooper's BBQ & Catering

109 E. Davie St., Raleigh, NC 27601

919-832-7614

Ole Time Barbecue

6309 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27606

919-859-2544

Carolina Barbecue

733 U.S. Highway 70 W, Garner, NC 27529

919-773-0222

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