10 Hole-In-The-Wall BBQ Joints Worth a Road Trip

Discovering a secret barbecue joint while traveling down back roads has a certain allure. These modest, unpretentious establishments frequently place more emphasis on authenticity, meat, and smoke than on adornment. You’re chasing flavor and memories when you arrange a road trip specifically to visit one of these BBQ treasures. In this post, we highlight ten obscure barbecue joints from various areas that are worth taking the detour. You’ll discover what makes each unique, what to order, and the backstories of their pits.

1. Gates Barbecue (Kansas City, Missouri)

Despite having several locations, Gates Barbecue is one of those Kansas City landmarks that doesn’t feel like a chain. It is adored for its straightforward, fuss-free experience, which includes slow-smoked meat, few extras, and that famous “Gates” sauce poured over ribs or burnt ends. Because locals continue to visit it for generations, its reputation endures. If your itinerary takes you to Kansas City, Gates is a dive into the history of midwestern barbecue, and part of the excitement is inhaling the smoke before you even see the building.

2. Franklin Barbecue (Austin, Texas)

Franklin Even though barbecue isn’t as obscure as it once was, it still has the feel of a cult pilgrimage. Aaron Franklin, the pitmaster, constructed the facility using just his brisket. Early in the morning, sometimes even hours before it opens, people wait in line to get the day’s share of ribs, sausage, or brisket. The process is painstaking: long smoke, oak and post-oak wood, rest, and hand slicing. The atmosphere of that place and the depth of flavor make it a road trip destination, even if you arrive late and the menu is small.

3. Skylight Inn (Ayden, North Carolina)

For decades, the Skylight Inn, a small, family-run barbecue restaurant in Ayden, North Carolina, has been smoking pork shoulders in the same manner. Succulent pulled pork served over bread or by itself, wood smoke, a vinegar-based mop, and sides like hush puppies and collards are all hallmarks of Eastern Carolina whole-hog barbecue. You can concentrate on what really matters—the meat—because of the unpretentious atmosphere, welcoming staff, and simple building. You’ll probably know you’re in the right place when you drive in because of the hum of smoke and conversation.

4. Snow’s BBQ (Lexington, Texas)

“Go big or go home” is exemplified by Snow’s BBQ. From a tiny location in Lexington, Texas, it is only open on Saturday mornings, but the crowd that comes in is legendary. The pit is well-known for smoking beef ribs, pork ribs, sausage, and brisket over post oak. It feels special and secretive because of the limited hours—you’re organizing your trip around that Saturday window. The slow-smoked meats, the atmosphere of the communal picnic table, and the small space make this a must-visit location for true barbecue enthusiasts if you can stop by.

5. The Sweatman’s Barbecue (Memphis, Tennessee)

Memphis is well-known for its pulled pork sandwiches and ribs, but locals also highly recommend The Sweatman’s Barbecue. It features a menu that leans toward classic Memphis styles, such as dry rub, smoky pulled pork, and crisped edges, as well as an old-fashioned storefront appearance and modest staffing. Consistency and local loyalty are its main advantages. If you prefer flavor to flash when driving through Memphis, stopping at a place like Sweatman’s offers you a more authentic local experience than the upscale tourist BBQ joints.

6. 12 Bones Smokehouse (Asheville, North Carolina)

A hidden gem in a mountain town, 12 Bones Smokehouse is located in a peaceful area of Asheville. It highlights premium meats like chicken, pork shoulder, and ribs and enhances side dishes like smoked greens and jalapeño cheddar grits. Numerous food shows have frequently recommended the establishment, and the owners are very involved with the neighborhood. Due to its smaller size and regional focus, your road trip detour places you in a dining scene frequented by locals, which frequently provides more gratifying flavor and stories.

7. Corky’s BBQ (Memphis & multiple small branches)

Although there are multiple Corky’s locations in Memphis and the surrounding areas, its more modest, smaller locations frequently turn into hole-in-the-wall establishments. For many years, the signature sauce, wood smoke techniques, and classic sides have remained consistent. If you’re traveling through Tennessee, stopping by one of the less well-known Corky’s can reward you with mouthwatering pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, and that familiar flavor that locals have come to expect. Although there is a lot of consistency throughout the locations, the smaller ones have a more personal feel.

8. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (Olathe / Kansas City area)

Once more, despite its current level of popularity, Joe’s original gas station turned barbecue restaurant in the Kansas City area is still hidden behind modest storefronts. Its ribs, Z-man sandwich (brisket, cheese, and onions), and brisket have all become legendary. Instead of going to a well-marketed stop, though, you get the feeling of finding something iconic when you visit the original, less ostentatious branch. This location offers a smoky, cozy reward that feels earned for a road trip across the Midwest or Great Plains.

9. Peg Leg Porker (Nashville, Tennessee)

Nashville’s Peg Leg Porker is a small but cherished barbecue restaurant that is well-known for its ribs, mustard sauces, and dry rubs. The emphasis is on properly prepared smoked barbecue, the counter is straightforward, and the interior is straightforward. Critics praise the ribs’ crisp edges and rich smoke flavor. Peg Leg Porker offers local flair, regional sauces, and a modest location that boasts a reputation that belies its modest size if you’re ever in or traveling through Nashville.

10. B.T.’s Smokehouse (Sturbridge, Massachusetts)

One of New England’s best-kept secrets for southern-style barbecue is B.T.’s Smokehouse. They serve traditional sides like macaroni and potato salad and smoke brisket, pulled pork, and ribs despite being far from the Deep South. Locals view it as a unique discovery, the building is simple, and the atmosphere is relaxed. A detour to B.T.’s offers contrast for those traveling through New England by car: southeastern smoke flavors in a northern setting, as well as the opportunity to savor robust barbecue in unexpected locations.