My Top 5 Favorite BBQ Joints

1. Archibald and Woodrow's- Tuscaloosa, AL         
   
    This Tuscaloosa pit has huge country-style ribs as big around as your forearm and a taste that will make you slap yo mama. The plates here come with just two things: ribs and white bread. That's all you need though for an Alabama jubilee for you taste buds. The ribs are smoked for hours on end and have a spicy, thin sauce that compliments the flavor of the meat without over taking it. If you only have a chance to visit once you have to get the ribs but they also have sliced pork, whole smoked shoulders, and and a damn good potato salad to compliment. To finish it off you have to get some of their impeccable banana pudding. They cater huge amounts of pig and regularly supply many a Roll Tide tailgate. They used to be located on AL HWY 13 in Northport, just north of T-Town but are now located in Tuscaloosa proper beside Academy Sports in a small brown block building. In Tuscaloosa Dreamland BBQ has often been put on a pedestal but Archibald and Woodrow's has em beat.

Here is a link with more reviews of Archibald and Woodrow's:
http://www.tuscaloosarestaurant.com/Restaurant-Reviews/Archibald+and+Woodrow%27s+BBQ.html

2. The Green Top BBQ- Jasper, AL

      The Green Top outside of Jasper AL has the best chopped pork anywhere. Period. It is my favorite place to eat when I go hunting wild pigs on some land just down the highway. It has been lauded by many fans of great Q and even praised by the University of Mississippi's Southern Foodways Alliance. They have a great sweet and spicy sauce to go along with the killer smoked pig. Also offering ribs and chicken, which are excellent as well, the Green Top has a little something for everyone. My personal favorite it the chopped pork plate with their homemade fries. The pork glistens on the plate and is a perfectly crispy texture, yet in melts in your mouth like a slab of butter. Babreque sandwiches don't get much better than this either. The Green Top has been a central Alabama institution since the 1950's.

Check them out at http://www.greentopbbq.com/

3. The Germantown Commissary- Germantown Tennessee

      The Germantown Commissary outside of Memphis has everything you could want in a BBQ joint, sweet tea, great atmosphere and incredible Q. At the commissary dry rub ribs are king but they also have great pork shoulder (whole, pulled or chopped), chicken, and a favorite of mine, hot link sausages. Their rub is spicy with just enough sweet to mediate for the hot spices. Usually a shaker of it sits on every table and patrons put it on almost every side item and it is especially good with the deviled eggs that come standard. For an appetizer you need to get that delicacy of the delta, the hot tamale. Hot tamales in Memphis? Yes actually, this cultural quirk is prevalent all throughout the Mississippi Delta region and the Commissary does it right. For the main course the ribs are a must. They can stand alone without any add ons but if you want you can always shake on some more rub or try some of the Commissary's secret recipe sauce. The hot link sausages are a personal favorite. They have a perfect sweet taste that is a little smoky to boot. Its a wonder someone hasn't put them on a biscuit and opened up a breakfast place. if they did they would make a millionaire. If you are feeling like a true hoss daddy then try the Boss Hog Special. It comes with your choice of four meats, beans, deviled eggs, and bread. Go ahead and try everything the Commissary has to offer, you will be glad you did. If you have room (which is unlikely,) the they have a wide range of homemade deserts for a fantastic finish.
Check them out at: http://www.commissarybbq.com/

4. Handy Andy Grocery and Market- Oxford, Mississippi

     Oxford has its picturesque square with jam up restaurants and when people visit Oxford this is usually where they end up grabbing a bite, but for a true treat get off the beaten path a little bit. Follow Lamar Ave. north out of the square and you will run into to Handy Andy Grocery and Market. Handy Andy's, as it is usually called has been a favorite among Ole Miss students for a long time. Their pulled pork is a fantastic part of, but not the only facet of Handy Andy's game plan. The ribs are decent but for a great compliment to your pig on bread try a fried hot dog. I know, I know.  A hot dog? Come on Dude! Seriously, I don't know how they do it, but Handy Andy's serves the most dynamic dog I have ever had, dab a little of the hot BBQ sauce on top, perfection on a bun. The smoked pork is awesome, fall apart in your mouth tender, and has a wonderful flavor. With a great complementing sauce, Handy Andy's is a winner. If you are ever in This quintessential college town be sure to whet your appetite at Handy Andy Grocery and Market.
Here is a link to some more reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g43934-d512757-Reviews-Handy_Andy-Oxford_Mississippi.html

5. The Salt Lick- Driftwood (Austin), Texas

     The Salt Lick outside of Austin is a little too nice for a BBQ joint. When I say nice I mean sparkling, this no road side smoke shack but it is Texas beef BBQ at its finest. Everything is good at the Salt Lick but I'm gonna throw a word at you: BRISKET BRISKET BRISKET. The choice cuts of cow are rubbed with salt, pepper and Cayenne pepper then seared on both sides for 30 minutes to seal in flavor. After this initial high heat, the brisket is place on indirect heat to smoke for 16 hours. It doesn't get any better than that folks. Great Q is made with love and patience, not propane and 15 minutes. The sauce is a very sweet non-tomato based sauce and will leave you licking the plate when the meat is gone. The smoked sausages are incredible as well, drawing on the influence of Germans who first settled the area in and around Austin. Beef ribs are also a great investment for your taste buds here but if you don't live around Austin you got to go for the brisket first. They also have one of the best cooking setups I have ever seen. If you ever get to go to a Longhorn ball game you have to visit the Salt Lick. That's an order
Check out their website at www.saltlickbbq.com