The BBQ Blog

Where can you find the best BBQ? At a sit-down restaurant? At a dive bar with a smoker outside? How do you feel about state fairs? All around the country, state fairs offer not only some of the best BBQ, but also some really unusual dishes you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Here are some interesting things we found while scouring state fairs for the best BBQ.

• Deep-friend everything is a staple at the fair. From Twinkies to barbecued meat on a stick, it seems like every food vendor at the fair is trying to find something new to stick into the deep fryer. We think maybe the best thing we’ve heard of when it comes to deep-fried fair foods is the Minnesota State Fair’s blue cheese and corn fritz.
• If you’re into meat, and plenty of it, the state fair is a great place to indulge. From beef brisket sandwiches, to fried ribs, to bacon-wrapped turkey legs, the food at the fair is sure to satisfy your carnivorous cravings. If your state fair features food trucks from local restaurants, you have a great opportunity to sample and see who has the best BBQ.
• The Minnesota State Fair features more than one lobster option. You can get deep-fried lobster on a stick or a delicious Caribbean lobster roll. We’re not sure whether this is going to become the norm at other state’s fairs, though.
• Sometimes, dessert at the fair seems almost like a dare. You can get deep fried Rice Krispy treats or cupcakes, beer gelato or deep-fried buckeyes. Want to try something truly outrageous? Brave the Twinx- a Twix bar inside a Twinkie, wrapped in bacon, then deep fried. Just don’t tell your arteries that we were the ones who pointed you in that direction. Barbecue pickle ice cream? We think we’ll pass.

Here’s a secret: you can also find some of the best BBQ around, right in your local grocery store! Tony Roma’s brings the best BBQ right to your table in just about 20 minutes of prep time. To find Tony Roma’s at a grocery store near you, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with the online community, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our mouthwatering Pinterest boards.

Last year, we celebrated the Fourth of July by sending care packages marked #Riberty to some of our favorite bloggers, and the response was incredible. We saw all sorts of smiling, saucy faces bonding over hot plates of the best BBQ pop up on social media. Our hearts warmed faster than a slab of ribs in a microwave, and we knew right away that #Riberty would be a tradition.

This year, we packed an all-new assortment of odds and ends designed to make this year’s Fourth of July one to remember. We tasked our blogger friends to take plenty of pics, share lots of laughs and to enjoy life, #Riberty and the pursuit of better #BBQ. And we have to say, they didn’t disappoint.

We’d like to thank all of the bloggers who participated this year for letting Tony Roma’s Ribs join their families for Independence Day bashes. You can check out their experiences on the blogs below:

Adventures of 8

Rick on the Rocks

7 on a Shoe String

Susan Disney Family

Simply Southern Mom

Sweep Tight

Mommy Enterprises

Mama To 5 Blessings

My Crazy Savings

If you’re wondering if we’ll do #Riberty again next year, just take a look at these blogs. We think the answer is pretty clear. As long as there are those who love better BBQ, there will be #Riberty.

Do you know how to make the best BBQ around? Are you ready to be the ultimate host and the envy of your friends and neighbors as you man the grill like a master? The best BBQ starts with the perfect barbecue grill, but the definition of “perfect” is extremely subjective. When you’re grill shopping, consider these factors, and you’ll be able to decide which grill is a good fit for your space, needs and culinary prowess.

• First, decide whether you want a gas or charcoal grill. Both types of grill have passionate devotees, so you might want to do some research to decide where you fall on the issue. This article is a good place to start learning the pros and cons of each type of fuel.
• If you do go with gas, what kind of fuel? You can’t run a propane grill on natural gas, and the same applies the other way around. Know your options and decide which kind you want before you hit the store. Remember, natural gas requires a gas line at the location of your grill.
• Next, determine your price range. Be aware, you get what you pay for, and a grill with a bunch of options is going to cost more than a basic grill. On the other hand, you might prefer simplicity, in which case you can probably get the grill of your dreams fairly cheaply. What you must determine, though, is how well-made the grill is. You want both the body and frame to be sturdy and rust resistant.
• Know that size matters. You need a grill that fits your space; you don’t want a giant grill on the balcony of your condo, or a comically small grill on your spacious deck. More importantly, though, the size of your grill factors into what you can cook on it. If you’re just looking to grill steaks for two, you can probably get away with a small grill. If you plan to grill a turkey or forty hamburgers at a time, you’ll definitely need a larger size.
• How easy is the grill to clean? Especially if you plan to use it frequently, this will be a major factor in deciding which grill is right for you. Choose a grill with grates and grease traps that come out easily, and you’ll have a much better time with cleanup.
• Pay attention to the warranty and support. Choose a reputable dealer and a warranty that’s good for at least 5-10 years. Tech support should be easy to access, as should replacement parts.

Buying a grill is an investment, so choosing one can be a hard decision to make. Of course, even if you haven’t found that perfect grill, you can still enjoy the best BBQ around in the convenience of your own home. Tony Roma’s makes it easy-to-serve, restaurant-quality barbecue any night of the week and have it on the table in about 20 minutes. To find Tony Roma’s at a grocery store near you, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with the online community, and learn more tips on how to prepare the best BBQ, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and check out our mouthwatering Pinterest boards.

Where did you have the best BBQ you’ve ever tasted? Was it a local BBQ joint or were you traveling? If you’re hitting the road this summer, we’ve got just what you need - a list of some of the best BBQ places you’ll find across the United States.

• If you’re headed for the beach, you might want to pop in to Bucks Smokehouse in Destin, Florida. In fact, three of the top ten best BBQ restaurants chosen by Trip Advisor are located in Florida! You can hit Reuben’s Smokehouse in Fort Meyers or Captain’s Barbecue in Palm Coast, but if you swing by Bucks, you can choose from classics such as ribs or pulled pork or you can opt for smoked mullet instead.
• We have two Georgia barbecue spots to recommend as well. Atlanta’s Fox Brothers BBQ was picked by Gayot as a top contender because of its succulent, moderately spicy ribs cooked over wood. Further north, Joe’s Barbecue, in Blue Ridge, has been ranked as the nation’s top barbecue spot by Trip Advisor.
• Just about everyone agrees that Franklin BBQ in Austin, Texas, is some of the best BBQ around. Not only did this restaurant, where the brisket is slow-cooked for a full 18 hours at a very low temperature, make both Trip Advisor’s and Gayot’s top 10 list for 2015, but the chef, Aaron Franklin, was recently named best chef in the Southwest by the James Foundation.
• Are you more likely to be on the West Coast? You can find great barbecue out there, too. Gayot recommends Charcoal BBQ for Kansas City-style in Los Angeles and 4505 Burgers and Barbecue in San Francisco for locally sourced, pastured raised meat.
• In our nation’s capital, Hill Country Barbecue is considered one of the best. Gayot praises the restaurant not only for its ribs, but also for its selection of sides and delicious banana pudding.
• Of course, you’d expect a couple from this list to be in St. Louis. Trip Advisor’s list includes Bogarts Smokehouse and Pappy’s Smokehouse.
• And what’s a best BBQ list without a shout out to Kansas City and Memphis? Gayot suggests Charlie Vergos’ Barbecue in Memphis, and Trip Advisor says Joe’s Kansas City Barbecue is worth the trip.

Finding the best BBQ wherever you’re traveling is a great way to experience local flavor on vacation. If you can’t make it to a great barbecue joint, Tony Roma’s brings the best BBQ taste right to you with ribs, pulled pork and pulled chicken you can have on the table in about 20 minutes. To find Tony Roma’s at a grocery store near you, visit the store locator on our website. To connect with our online community, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and check out our mouthwatering Pinterest boards.