The southeastern states are bound together by a humid haze of wood smoke and friendly debate over which style of cue reigns supreme. When the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew crisscrossed the region, they found more than ribs and sauce; they discovered family-run pits, inventive mash-ups, and time-honored cooking methods handed down for generations. If you dream in hickory, oak, or pecan, map out a tasting tour of these smokehouses that still live up to their reputation.

1. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q — Atlanta, Georgia

Run by twin brothers from Texas, this bustling Atlanta spot bridges Lone Star sensibilities with the Southeast’s love of pork. The pit room turns out smoky meats with a pepper-forward bark, while the laid-back dining room and roomy patio feel like a neighborhood block party every night of the week.

2. Southern Soul Barbeque — St. Simons Island, Georgia

Housed in a retro gas-station building just off the marsh, Southern Soul Barbeque channels coastal Georgia hospitality and fragrant oak smoke in equal measure. The counter-service setup keeps things casual, but the pitmasters’ devotion to low-and-slow cooking delivers flavors worthy of a white-tablecloth joint.

3. Skylight Inn BBQ — Ayden, North Carolina

This eastern North Carolina legend has been firing whole hogs since the 1940s. Inside the no-frills dining hall, oak embers glow around-the-clock, turning entire pigs into tender, smoky pork that’s chopped, lightly sauced, and served with a wink of crackling crunch.

4. Big Lee’s Serious About BBQ — Ocala, Florida

What began as Rashad Jones’s backyard hobby turned into one of Florida’s most talked-about food trucks and storefronts. Big Lee’s Serious About BBQ focuses on perfectly rendered bark and deep smoke rings, proving that outstanding barbecue isn’t confined to state lines.

5. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint — Nashville, Tennessee

Pitmaster Pat Martin brings West Tennessee whole-hog tradition to Music City. Walk past the roaring pits out back and you’ll find a lively dining hall where live music, local beer, and the aroma of hickory smoke make lingering mandatory.

6. Peg Leg Porker — Nashville, Tennessee

Cary Bringle’s Midtown smokehouse celebrates the lean, spicy side of Tennessee cue. A rooftop deck and a convivial bar scene add urban flair, yet the pit’s steady stream of hickory keeps everything grounded in classic technique.

7. Interstate Bar-B-Q — Memphis, Tennessee

This Memphis institution helped define the city’s signature thick, sweet glaze. Inside, walls lined with decades of memorabilia testify to its roots, while the pit room stays focused on hardwood smoke and old-school hospitality.

8. Sweet P’s Barbecue & Downtown Dive — Knoxville, Tennessee

Equal parts smokehouse and neighborhood tavern, Sweet P’s Barbecue and Downtown Dive mixes Appalachian friendliness with global influences picked up by its well-traveled pitmaster. The result is a menu that nods to tradition yet isn’t afraid to experiment with spice blends and sauces.

9. The Joint — New Orleans, Louisiana

In the Bywater neighborhood, this funky counter-service spot infuses Crescent City kicks into classic Southern barbecue. Recycled-wood décor, colorful murals, and the constant thrum of blues create a vibe as memorable as the smoked meats themselves.