Welcome to Thunderdome

When I started this forum, I did so knowing that eventually this topic would come up. I know it has created heated discussions and insults against each other's IQ and taste buds. So imagine my joy when MSN ran TWO different BBQ articles today that claim to be rankings of where to get BBQ.

The South's Top 50 BBQ Joints.

Best BBQ Cities

Sigh. That list starts off immediately on the wrong foot with Allen & Sons.

I approve of #7, #31, and #44. The rest of that list should not even exist.

I thought of this topic as well, but then didn't as to not hurt TPR's feelings, because I am a sensitive person.

If one of you hasn't sworn to murder another by page 3 of this thread, then you clearly have no passion for BBQ, and thus, know nothing about it.

I assume previously-existing murder-suicide pacts don't qualify?

I'm generally okay with those lists. I mean there's a lot of stuff on there that's not really BBQ, but that's just because some of the southern states weren't blessed with any decent cattle country to speak of. I can't blame them for doing the best they can to dress up ham into something resembling BBQ.

Texas A&M has a course about how to BBQ.

That's kind of awesome. I wonder if I can attend it remotely.

If I want cow, I'll grill a steak.