AUSTIN, Texas ( KPEL News ) — When it comes to barbecue supremacy across the American South, one question dominates pit discussions from Memphis to Charleston: just how much of the region's best 'cue actually comes from Texas?

The answer, according to Southern Living magazine's newly released "Top 50 BBQ Joints in the South" for 2025, might surprise even the most confident Texas pitmasters.

What Texas BBQ Lovers Need to Know

Texas absolutely dominates the prestigious list, claiming an impressive 17 out of 50 spots — that's 34 percent of the South's best barbecue restaurants according to Southern Living's Contributing Barbecue Editor Robert F. Moss. This makes the Lone Star State the most heavily represented on a list that spans from Maryland to Texas and includes restaurants ac

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