17th Street BBQ
Murphysboro, IL
92% love this shop
Named "Best BBQ in the US" by Travel + Leisure
At 17th Street BBQ, it's all about "Praising the Lard." Founded in Murphysboro, Illinois, in 1985, this Memphis-style barbecue joint is so famous for competition-quality ācue and its late pitmaster-owner Mike Mills that it has received virtually every award and accolade possibleāfrom āBest Ribs in the U.S.ā by Bon AppĆ©tit to āBest BBQ in Americaā by Travel & Leisure. Back in the early '90s, Mike's team was one of the first to use apple wood. Today, his Memphis-style baby backs are slow-smoked over locally grown fruitwood for six hours after being sprinkled with 17th Streetās āMagic Dustā dry rub. Brushed with two light coats of award-winning spicy barbecue sauce (containing bacon and apples) and another sprinkle of rub 30 minutes before pulling them from the pit, they epitomize why President Clinton had them served curbside for Air Force One.
