If you are chasing the best BBQ in the country, forget Yelp reviews. Want the real spots? Ask a chef. They know where the smoke is thick, the ribs fall apart, and the sauce actually matters.

Here are the top 5 best barbecue spots in the U.S., according to star chefs:

Saw’s BBQ – Birmingham, Alabama

Robert Harris, chef and owner of Season to Taste in Cambridge, grew up in Alabama. So, when he says Saw’s BBQ is the real deal, believe him. Smoke, crunch, fat, acid – it hits all the notes. The pulled pork is what dreams are made of, and the tangy white sauce? A Southern classic that makes the sandwich.

Mali / Pexels / Saw’s BBQ is the best BBQ spot in the U.S., according to Robert Harris, a chef and owner of Season to Taste in Cambridge.

The place itself is no-frills, just how BBQ should be. Piles of meat, cold drinks, and the smell of smoke in the air. It is fast, messy, and full of locals who have been coming for years. Harris says he always makes a stop when he is back home. And honestly, you should too.

Terry Black’s – Austin, Texas

Chef Kenny Leung of Yao in New York City doesn’t play around when it comes to brisket. His pick? Terry Black’s in Austin. “It’s the most tender I’ve had,” he says. The bark is smoky and thick.

The inside? Melt-in-your-mouth. You don’t need sauce, but the sauce is still solid – rich and peppery, not sweet.

The line might wrap around the block, but it moves fast. And it is worth the wait. Grab a tray, load up on ribs, brisket, and mac. Then find a picnic table out back and settle in. The whole vibe is BBQ culture at its best: Casual, loud, and full of smoke.

Fette Sau – Brooklyn, New York

You probably wouldn’t expect good BBQ in Brooklyn. But Leung says Fette Sau changed his mind. The meats are dry-rubbed, smoked long, and sliced thick. Think brisket, ribs, sausage – all top-tier. They even weigh your meat by the pound, deli-style.

Pixabay / Pexels / Chef Leung suggests that Fette Sau (in Brooklyn, NY) is the prime BBQ spot everyone should try.

The place looks like a warehouse from the outside, and inside it is all exposed brick, wooden benches, and beer on tap. It is not about being fancy. It is about good meat, done right. And Fette Sau gets it right, every time. This is where you go when you want BBQ in New York without settling.

Blackstrap BBQ – Winthrop, Massachusetts

Robert Harris has another go-to – this one much closer to home. “Blackstrap BBQ in Winthrop is my local fix,” he says. The burnt ends are his favorite—crispy, fatty, just the right amount of chew.

It is a small joint near the water, but it has got big flavor. The ribs are meaty. The sides are tight. And the vibe is all in. You can smell the smoke before you even walk in. You won’t find gimmicks here, just legit BBQ with no shortcuts.

Blinky’s OffSet BBQ – Savannah, Georgia

Miguel Bautista, chef at Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah, didn’t have to look far for his pick. Blinky’s OffSet BBQ is a local gem with serious heat. “The flavor hits you,” he says. The brisket is bold. The ribs fall off the bone. And the smoked chicken? Underrated but unforgettable.

Blinky’s is the kind of place that feels like a secret. It is not flashy, and there are no neon signs. But inside, it is BBQ heaven. You will load your tray with delicious food, eat with your hands, and leave full and happy.

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