Texas BBQ House in Phoenix, Arizona.

From Ry Delicatessen in Minneapolis. See more: Rye Delicatesse in Minneapolis.

At Boukies in New York, what could be better than a rack of grilled lamb chops bolstered with lemon potatoes? See more: Our 10 Best Lamb Dishes in NYC

Brisket. via The Incredible BBQ Meats of Meat Fight

Buffalo chicken livers that should make every chicken wing joint rethink its business plan, from Bitterroot BBQ in Seattle. See more: Food Porn: Ballard BBQ.

Beef Bourguignon at La Gloutonnerie in Miami See more: Closer Look: La Gloutonnerie

Each parrillada at Pampa Grill in Houston comes out overflowing with meat. See more: Pampa Grill: A Carnivore’s Paradise

For a 73-year-old restaurant, Lankford Grocery in Houston is a breath of fresh air. See more: Burgers and Nostalgia at Lankford Grocery

Smoked sirloin sandwich from Kickin’ Boot Whiskey Kitchen in the Ballard neighborhood in Seattle. See more: Food Porn: Kickin’ Boot

Pork belly from Jack’s Cafe in South Minneapolis. See more: Jack’s in Kingfield champions fresh textures

Brian C. Luscher’s brisket, photographed in November at the Meat Fight 2012 competition in Dallas.

A combo plate from Big Mista’s in LA. See more: 5 Best Barbecue Joints in Los Angeles

A view of American Social’s sliders in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More photos: Closer Look: American Social Bar and Restaurant

Half a slab of the ribs (with baked beans and sweet-potato fries) at Pappy’s Smokehouse in St. Louis. Read more: Ian Froeb’s 100 Favorite St. Louis Dishes: #4, The Ribs at Pappy’s Smokehouse

Ochoa’s Chorizo in Santa Ana, a storefront plopped in the middle of the city’s industrial nothingness. See more: Ochoa’s Chorizo With Amnesty

The barbecue pits behind Kenny Hall in Texas. The purpose of a barbecue restaurant is to make a profit, not to preserve culinary traditions. Restaurants aren’t where American barbecue came from. In fact, the tradition of open-pit barbecues in Texas predates the Civil War. See more: Community Cue: An American Tradition

Rodney Scott’s North Carolina pork and grits in San Francisco. See more: Meatopia Report and More From Oakland’s Eat Real Fest, Going on All Weekend

The smoked prime rib sandwich at Bogart’s Smokehouse in St. Louis. See more: RFT vs. Our Readers: Best Barbecue

Photographed at the Butcher and the Boart downtown Minneapolis, which opened early this year. See more: Butcher and the Boar: The Tour

The charred brisket edges at John Brown Smokehouse in Queens, New York. See more: John Brown Smokehouse Moving, To Feature Beer Garden & Live Music

Ribs from Pride and Joy, Myron Mixon’s barbecue joint in Miami. Read more: At Pride and Joy, Myron Mixon Wants You to Kiss the Ring

The Nooner burger at Jonathon’s, one of the new burgers of Dallas.