Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I really like Simply Wine with Andrea Immer, though I wish it were on a channel more accessible like Food Network instead of Fine Living. Other than that, one of the few television chefs that consistently mentions food and wine pairing is Ming Tsai, who I applaud for moving to PBS but am sad because my local affiliate doesn't carry his new show.

Great show.

I agree. With his whole "Vaynernation" and "Vayniacs" it seems like he's trying to build a TV persona. The Jim Cramer of wine?

Blue Ribbon in Arlington, MA if I'm anywhere north of Tennessee. Otherwise, I just can't pick.

But I LOVED both Kreuz Market and the Salt Lick. Mmmmm

Big W's Roadside BBQ in Pawling, NY

I grew up in North Carolina and by far my favorite was Troutman's Barbecue in Denton, NC for the perfect chopped plate. When I moved to Huntsville, AL, I became a Big Bob Gibson's fan - but it's apples and oranges as far as styles go.

Daisy May's; R.U.B. a close second.

R.U.B = YUM

Daisy May's BBQ is the best I've found in NYC. Although the pulled pork was delicious, the highly questionable political views disseminated at Maurice's BBQ in Columbia, SC didn't go down as easily.

rub in manhattan

As a barbecue aficionado, some of the best ribs that I've ever tasted can be found at Uncle Pete's in Boston. It takes Pete two - three days to prepare a rack of ribs. This a guy that is obsessed with ribs, and the taste reflects his devotion - the best I've had!

check out www.unclepetes.com

Gonna have to pick Payne's, in Memphis, TN for this one. The Rendez-Vous is too huge and impersonal, and while I love Neely's in a pinch, Payne's reigns supreme for me in Bluff City. Their pulled pork sandwich (about $3.50) hand-chopped to order by a grandmother who has clearly worked there forever is just about the tastiest thing you can eat in Memphis. The location--the space used to be a gas station and garage--and lack of utensils (save sporks) just adds to the draw of Payne's smoky, moist meat with just a hint of sweetness. Sigh.

PS: Be warned, as the sandwiches do come with cole slaw on top, and that's not to everyone's liking.

Smoke Joint, Brooklyn. They have really great pork and beef ribs and their Tips n' Bits are a great To-Go item because you can pack it up in a roll and bring it to work the next day for lunch. They're delicious in a cold sandwich. Don't forget their coleslaw -- they've got a vinegar or mayo based one. Same for the sauce, you can go vinegar-based or dark and sweet.