America’s Best States for a Top-Level BBQ Experience

6. Missouri

The famous Kansas City-style barbecue masters hone in on the perfection of slow-smoked meat covered in a thick, sweet sauce containing tomatoes, molasses, and brown sugar. The originator of the style, Henry Perry, first started serving his ribs on sheets of newspaper from his meat stand in 1908. Later, the St. Louis style emerged, pushing spare ribs to the top of diners' barbecue favorites. Burnt ends, one of the most popular barbecue dishes in Missouri, is created with cubed, caramelized chunks of slow-smoked meat, creating a sweet flavor and super-tender texture.