Restaurants & Chefs

Guide to great barbecue joints of the West

Here are some favorite places that serve up smokin' great barbecue. Don't forget the napkins.

• AUSTIN, TEXAS Live music, 'cue, and fried green tomatoes — what's not to love about Stubb's Bar-B-Q, a Lone Star capital hot spot? 801 Red River, 512-480-8341, www.stubbsaustin.com.

• BILLINGS, MONTANA Ribs are the star — small, large, and the whole-rack ribs plate — at Blues BBQ. 523 Hilltop Road, 406-245-2583, www.bluesbbqbillings.com.

• BOULDER, COLORADO At KT's Real Good BBQ, the Southern barbecue — hickory-smoked chicken, brisket, pork shoulder, and spareribs — is modeled after Pecos Pit BBQ in the decidedly not Southern town of Seattle. Other locations, too. 2675 13th St., 303-442-3717, www.ktsbbq.com.

• COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO Three different sauces and a range of smoked pulled meats, including chicken, pork, brisket, and sausage, are the attraction at Front Range Barbecue. 2330 W. Colorado Ave., 719-632-2596, www.frbbq.com.

• DALLAS Julia Child loved to sit at the picnic tables and eat Sonny Bryan's famous ribs and onion rings. A Dallas institution, around since 1910. 2202 Inwood Road (original location), 214-357-7120, www.sonnybryans.com.

• DENVER Politicians and downtown office workers go to Wolfe's Barbecue for the pork ribs, and vegetarians love the smoked tofu. 333 E. Colfax Ave., 303-831-1500, www.wolfesbarbecuesambiz.com.

• FORT WORTH, TEXAS Celebs from Lyle Lovett to Paris Hilton love the hickory-smoked Texas-style barbecue (no relish allowed) and icy cold beer at Angelo's Barbecue, which has been around since 1958. 2533 White Settlement, 817-332-0357, www.angelosbbq.com.

• HOUSTON Folks go to Goode Co. Texas Bar-B-Q for the brisket, the barbecue duck, and jalapeño pork sausage, but they stay for the Brazos Bottom pecan pie. 5109 Kirby Drive, 713-522-2530, www.goodecompany.com.

• LAS VEGAS Three locations in Sin City feature Mike Mills' award-winning Memphis Championship BBQ. 1401 S. Rainbow Blvd., 702-254-0520, www.memphis-bbq.com.

• LOS ANGELES Not much has changed since The Bear Pit opened in the 1950s: The menu still serves Missouri-style smoked beef, pork, ham, turkey, and lamb. 10825 Sepulveda Blvd., 818-365-2509, www.bearpitbbq.com.

• SAN DIEGO Award-winning mesquite-grilled ribs, chicken, and beef are the draw at Phil's BBQ. 3750 Sports Arena Blvd., 619-226-6333, www.philsbbq.net.

• SAN FRANCISCO From its funky fried-cheese grits sticks appetizers to traditional slow-cooked Southern 'cue, Memphis Minnie's Bar-B-Que Joint & Smoke House wins praise from locals, and awards, too. 576 Haight St., 415-864-7675, www.memphisminnies.com.

• TUCSON, ARIZONA Since 1950, locals have been lining up for daily specials such as sloppy Joes and barbecue tacos at Jack's Original Bar-B-Q. 5250 E. 22nd St., 520-750-1280, www.jacks-bbq.com.

— Ellise Pierce

Issue: July 2009