Texas food expert reveals the country's best BBQ restaurants - and no.1 pick isn't in the Lone Star State

A Texas food expert has revealed the country's best BBQ restaurants, and the number one pick isn't in the Lone Star State. 

The past decade has witnessed a proliferation of barbecue joints across the United States and while some places specialize in Carolina whole hogs, Kansas City burnt ends, or Memphis dry-rub ribs - a significant majority don't open their doors without offering Texas BBQ.

Daniel Vaughn, a reporter with Texas Monthly, has been on the road for a year in search of the best Texas-style barbecue joints outside of the Lone Star State itself.

After getting the green light from his editors, Vaughn set out to prove his hypothesis that American BBQ has become synonymous with Texas BBQ.

The foodie ate at 149 joints in 37 states, while travel-worthy BBQ hasn't reached every state, Vaughn has narrowed down the list to 53 best joints, focusing solely on 47 states in the continental United States - excluding Texas.

A Texas food expert has revealed the country's best BBQ restaurants, and the number one pick isn't in the Lone Star State

Daniel Vaughn, a reporter with Texas Monthly, has been on the road for a year in search of the best Texas-style barbecue joints outside of the Lone Star State itself

1. Palmira Barbecue in South Carolina 

Hector Garate's Palmira Barbecue offers a unique blend of South Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rican flavors. Enjoy whole-hog barbecue, beef cheeks, ribs, brisket, and house-made sausages. Don't miss the guava cheesecake and consider a digestive aid like Underberg.

2. Prime Barbecue in North Carolina 

Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, North Carolina, offers high-quality barbecue with a variety of proteins, including pork ribs, sausage, beef ribs, and brisket.

Enjoy Puerto Rican-inspired sides like barbecue rice and lechon, and don't miss the Texas cobbler.

3. Owens & Hull in Georgia

Owens & Hull in Atlanta offers high-quality barbecue, including Prime-grade brisket, smoked turkey, and a variety of sausages. Enjoy sides like shells and cheese and Cajun rice.

4. Moo's Craft Barbecue in California 

Moo's Craft Barbecue in California offers exceptional Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, sausages, spareribs, and pork belly burnt ends. Try the smoked burger with brisket chili.

5. Heritage Barbecue in California

Heritage Barbecue in California offers high-quality Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, pork ribs, and smoked sausages. Try special items like birria tacos and pastrami Reuben.

6. Southern Junction in New York

Southern Junction in Buffalo offers a unique fusion of Indian and Texas flavors. Enjoy brisket biryani, barbecue foldie, and smoked chicken. 

Don't miss the honey butter cardamom cornbread or banana pudding.

Hector Garate's Palmira Barbecue offers a unique blend of South Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rican flavors and is Vaughn's number one pick on the list

7. Pica Rica BBQ in Utah 

Pica Rica BBQ in St. George offers homemade tortillas, tacos, and a signature chopped brisket torta. Enjoy beefy sausage, smoked chicken, and delicious desserts like tres leches cake and smoked peach and blueberry pie.

8. Jon G’s Barbecue in North Carolina

Jon G's in North Carolina offers exceptional brisket, smoked turkey, and bacon burnt ends. Enjoy sides like brisket fried rice and batata salad.

9. Edge Craft Barbecue in Oklahoma

Edge Craft Barbecue in Oklahoma offers high-quality house-made sausages and sides like collard greens, Brussels sprouts, and red beans and rice. Enjoy the brisket and smoked chicken.

10. Golden Hour Barbecue in Nebraska

Golden Hour Barbecue in Nebraska offers exceptional brisket, sausage, and pulled pork. The classic small-town joint is housed in a historic building and uses post oak from Texas for its smoker.