There is nothing quite like home cooked barbecue, that is, if you can cook it. Everyone has their own strong suit in the kitchen, but if yours goes about as far as boiling water, here are some must-visit barbecue restaurants to pay a visit this summer!

Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que, Williamsburg, Virginia

Before the restaurant even came about, founder Doc Pierce was simply a man with a killer barbecue sauce. In order to share this authentic Tennessee recipe with the world, he opened up  Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que. You can even get “Doc” Pierce’s Original Barbecue Sauce shipped right to your door! But the hospitality and authenticity are well worth the visit.

Baby Blues BBQ, nation-wide

Once you have good BBQ, there’s no turning back. The owners of Baby Blues BBQ, now with three locations, are southern boys at heart looking to bring their favorite southern flavors into California, Philadelphia, and beyond!

Smoke Shack, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The tiny, 47-seat-restaurant, Smoke Shack, means business. They recommend arriving early in the day because they run out of a lot of their items due to popularity!

Big Bob Gibson’s, Decatur, Alabama

As one of the oldest barbecue restaurants in the world, Big Bob Gibson’s sure knows how to do southern-style, classic barbecue. They’ve been serving it up since 1925!

Front Range BBQ, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Front Range BBQ is a delicious destination that includes home style food, entertainment, and a friendly atmosphere. For fans of live music, this fun and appetizing restaurant brings in 3–4 local bands every week.

Hula Grill, Williston, North Dakota

Hula Grill is your home-cooked destination for barbecue with a twist! Different from your typical southern barbecue, this Asian-American-infused cooking combines flavors of Hawaii with classic American cuts of meat.

Red state BBQ, Lexington & Cynthiana, Kentucky

Red State is a Texas-style barbecue joint that opened in 2010, and is not only popular for its ribs and brisket, but its desserts, too.

KC’s Rib Shack, Manchester, New Hampshire

KC’s Rib Shack began with a man who had a passion for barbecue, but little money to open a restaurant. He and his business partner put everything on the line for this business, but the owner’s passion, commitment, and fantastic flavors, are what has kept the business booming for the last 20 years.

Goodwood Barbecue Company, Idaho & Utah

GoodWood Barbecue opened in 1999, and now has four locations in both Idaho and Utah. Though they have expanded, they still work hard to guarantee that their food is made fresh daily and has owner-operated facilities.

Big Ed’s BBQ, Matawan, New Jersey

Whether you are looking to dine in or take-out, Big Ed’s BBQ does both! With two menus for take-out and dining in, this 25-year-old restaurant has been serving its on the go and sit down meals to bring the community together.