West Columbia, SC, September 18, 2025
News Summary
Southern Living has released its updated list of the Top 50 BBQ joints in the South, with City Limits BBQ in West Columbia, SC taking the top spot. This change reflects evolving tastes and the emergence of new restaurants that redefine barbecue. The list showcases a variety of menu items and highlights the quality and consistency of the dining experience across the ranked establishments. Robert Moss, the Contributing Barbecue Editor, outlines how economic pressures and innovative approaches have reshaped the barbecue landscape since previous rankings.
West Columbia, SC
Southern Living published its updated list of the Top 50 BBQ joints in the South in 2025, and the compilation ranks City Limits BBQ in West Columbia, SC as the top barbecue restaurant for the region. The 2025 list shows notable changes from the previous list in 2023, reflecting shifting tastes, closures, and the rise of new operations that mix tradition with innovation.
Key findings and top placement
The updated list captures several broad trends across Southern barbecue. The world of Southern barbecue is rapidly evolving, with trends and tastes changing more quickly than ever before. Economic pressures have affected long-standing spots, while new restaurants have entered the scene with fresh takes on classic dishes. The full rankings go from 50 to 1, culminating in the top BBQ joint for the South in 2025, which is City Limits BBQ in West Columbia, SC.
Method and selection
Robert Moss, Southern Living’s Contributing Barbecue Editor, compiled and ranked the list based on years of personal experience dining at each restaurant. Each of the restaurants was visited multiple times for assessment, focusing on the overall dining experience, including meat quality, side dishes, and ambiance. The ranking process emphasized hands-on evaluation rather than numeric scoring. Moss emphasizes a qualitative approach to ranking, trusting the gut over empirical scoring systems.
What changed since 2023
Several factors drove the differences between the 2023 and 2025 lists. Economic challenges have led to several former Top 50 restaurants closing in recent years. Some older establishments remain open but have seen a decline in the qualities that previously earned them top placement; Some longstanding BBQ places continue to operate but have lost some of their former luster. At the same time, New restaurants with innovative approaches to traditional BBQ are emerging and making significant impacts in the market, prompting movement in the rankings.
Trends in cooking and menus
Menu variety in the Top 50 illustrates how barbecue is broadening beyond classic offerings. The variety of food found in the Top 50 includes not only ribs, chopped pork, brisket, and chicken, but also lamb chops, pit-smoked steaks, smashburgers, barbacoa tacos, and pork steaks. The list reflects Many restaurants blend traditional cooking techniques with contemporary twists on classic southern barbecue, and a common theme among ranked spots is investment and refinement: A major theme in this year’s rankings is restaurant expansion and continuous improvement of offerings. Consequently, Restaurants that have updated and improved their menu offerings have risen in the rankings.
Notable entries and regional spread
The 2025 Top 50 includes a mix of long-established names and newer operations. Notable restaurants mentioned among the ranked entries include Charlie Vergos Rendezvous in Memphis, 2Fifty in Riverdale, Fox Bros. BBQ in Atlanta, and Smitty’s in Lockhart. These examples illustrate geographic variety and differing approaches to smoke, spice, and service across Southern barbecue culture. The list also reflects changing preferences within barbecue culture, blending regional specialties with creative influences.
What matters in the rankings
Across the entries, the decisive factors were food quality, consistency, and how each restaurant related to its local traditions. Highlights of the BBQ scene suggest that creativity and connection to local traditions play a crucial role in selecting top joints. The 2025 list favors restaurants that combine strong pit technique with menu creativity and a compelling dining experience.
What readers can find in the full list
The published list enumerates entries from 50 down to the single top pick, highlighting changes in rank and noting newcomers and closures. Readers looking for specifics will find the full ordering and short evaluations for each entry in the published list. The rankings provide a snapshot of Southern barbecue in 2025: a mix of legacy operations, revival efforts, and promising newcomers.
FAQ
What did Southern Living publish for 2025?
Southern Living published its updated list of the Top 50 BBQ joints in the South in 2025.
Who compiled and ranked the list?
Robert Moss, Southern Living’s Contributing Barbecue Editor, compiled and ranked the list based on years of personal experience dining at each restaurant.
How were the restaurants evaluated?
Each of the restaurants was visited multiple times for assessment, focusing on the overall dining experience, including meat quality, side dishes, and ambiance.
What ranking approach was used?
Moss emphasizes a qualitative approach to ranking, trusting the gut over empirical scoring systems.
What is the top BBQ joint for the South in 2025?
The full rankings go from 50 to 1, culminating in the top BBQ joint for the South in 2025, which is City Limits BBQ in West Columbia, SC.
What foods are represented in the Top 50?
The variety of food found in the Top 50 includes not only ribs, chopped pork, brisket, and chicken, but also lamb chops, pit-smoked steaks, smashburgers, barbacoa tacos, and pork steaks.
Which notable restaurants are on the list?
Charlie Vergos Rendezvous in Memphis, 2Fifty in Riverdale, Fox Bros. BBQ in Atlanta, and Smitty’s in Lockhart.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Example or Note |
|---|---|
| Top-ranked joint | City Limits BBQ in West Columbia, SC |
| Compilation | Robert Moss, Southern Living’s Contributing Barbecue Editor, compiled and ranked the list based on years of personal experience dining at each restaurant. |
| Assessment method | Each of the restaurants was visited multiple times for assessment, focusing on the overall dining experience, including meat quality, side dishes, and ambiance. |
| Ranking style | Moss emphasizes a qualitative approach to ranking, trusting the gut over empirical scoring systems. |
| Menu variety | The variety of food found in the Top 50 includes not only ribs, chopped pork, brisket, and chicken, but also lamb chops, pit-smoked steaks, smashburgers, barbacoa tacos, and pork steaks. |
| Notable entries | Charlie Vergos Rendezvous in Memphis, 2Fifty in Riverdale, Fox Bros. BBQ in Atlanta, and Smitty’s in Lockhart |
| Broader trend | The world of Southern barbecue is rapidly evolving, with trends and tastes changing more quickly than ever before. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Southern Living: Top BBQ Joints 2025
- Wikipedia: Barbecue
- Southern Living: BBQ Towns 2025
- Google Search: Southern Barbecue trends
- Southern Living: Best BBQ Joint in Every State 2025
- Google Scholar: Southern barbecue food culture
- Southern Living: Best BBQ in Memphis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Barbecue
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
