Will road-trip for BBQ: From Kansas City to the Carolinas

Parker’s Barbecue has been a staple in eastern North Carolina for more than 40 years and serves up 10,000 pounds of barbecue each week, so you know it’s bound to be good. Parker's slow roasts whole hogs and chickens, which they infuse with their signature tangy sauce. Their sides include Southern favorites like Brunswick stew, hush puppies, corn sticks, and coleslaw, (Don't plan on this to cool off your palate; it has just as much of a kick as the sauce). Wash it all down with a big glass of sweet tea!

Of course The Pit serves up chopped and pulled pork, which have been pit cooked overnight, but here you can also find Carolina-style ribs (more fat, more bone, more flavor, as they say), chicken (fried and smoked), turkey, and brisket. Sides include the classics: fried okra, baked beans, collard greens, and black-eyed peas, as well as more modern dishes such as quinoa salad, Brussels sprouts, and sweet-potato fries. And, you can finish it all off with one of their delectable desserts, or an adult beverage... if you still have room!

Stamey's has an old-school atmosphere, cheap prices, and huge portions of amazing BBQ, all of which have kept Greensboro locals coming back. They're best known for their authentic pit-cooked chopped pork, spicy vinegar sauce, and outstanding hush puppies. And, whatever you do, save room for their famous peach cobbler: It really is to die for.

Cozy Corner is the very definition of a “no-frills” BBQ joint. They offer all of the staples (ribs, wings, pork, beef, sandwiches, and Cornish hens) along with a simple lineup of sides: corn, beans, and slaw. There’s only one dessert here, too—banana pudding. Cozy Corner executes everything so perfectly that you won’t miss the frills at all!

Even though Payne’s is in Memphis, and serves up some fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, they also offer some great Carolina-style chopped pork, sausage, and another Memphis staple, fried bologna. If you really want to have your mind blown, though, go for the burnt ends: They’re a revelation!

Jim Neely, the mastermind behind Neely’s Interstate Bar-B-Que, spent two and a half years perfecting his sauce, and you definitely can taste the time and effort. Try it on sausage, beef, pork, bologna, ribs, hot dogs, and more; you can get it on just about every meat imaginable here. You even can get your smoked and sauced meats on a salad! A slice of pecan pie is the perfect way to end the feast.

The atmosphere of The Salt Lick is just as perfect as its barbecue. The live music, rustic setting, and imposing indoor pit loaded with meat all add to the experience as you enjoy your meal. Combo plates are a great way to sample as much as you can, or try the triple chop, which has brisket, sausage, and ribs all mixed together into one unbelievable plate of deliciousness. Don’t expect many “healthy” options here, either: The “vegetable” menu only includes slaw, beans, and potato salad.

Franklin’s Barbecue is Austin’s most revered BBQ joint. It’s only open for lunch because they sell out of food before mid-afternoon, so lines form early. The menu here is pretty straightforward, but goodness, is their brisket amazing! You can order meat by the pound or on a sandwich, with sides of potatoes, pinto beans, or slaw. Grab a mini pie for the road: Bourbon banana, pecan, key lime, and lemon chess keep it authentically Southern. Once again, you’re going to have to get in line first thing in the morning, but the wait will absolutely be worth it. Pack some beers and enjoy it!

Chopped beef, ribs, brisket, pork, and sausage are the main attractions at Tyler’s Barbeque in Amarillo. The dry rub here is delicious, so try a bite of meat before you douse it in their amazing sauce. The brisket especially is a standout, and if you’re around on a Thursday, try their green chile and grilled onion mac and cheese.

Arthur Bryant's is as classic as you can get when it comes to KC-style BBQ. Pork, ham, turkey, chicken, and sausage are available, but the ribs and burnt ends are the stuff of legend. You can't go wrong with the "Original" sauce, but their "Rich and Spicy" and "Sweet Heat" flavors are just as good. As for the atmosphere, the cafeteria-style restaurant is decorated with pictures of the many celebs and presidents who have eaten here.

The menu at Winslow’s BBQ features delicious pit-smoked meats, delectable burnt ends, hickory ribs, and tasty smoked wings. Make sure to order some of their extra delicious fries—Winslow’s offers Carolina-style sauce in addition to the Kansas City-style stuff to dip them in