As part of America's famous barbecue belt, Texas prides itself on its meat-smoking skills. Most agree that Franklin Barbecue is the best barbecue joint around; here, people gladly wait hours to be served luscious beef brisket with pickles, onions, barbecue sauce, and white bread.

Anthony Bourdain described it as the finest he'd ever had – and nothing else on the menu (or in the state) quite compares.

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Last updated by Simon Ward

The US's greatest barbecue restaurants, ranked