Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I am a Chicago native, but I must say that your claim is ridonkulous. I've spent a significant amount of time in Memphis, and their barbecue outshines ours by miles. It's true that Uncle John's hot links are amazing, but Cozy Corner's cornish game hen puts every other barbecue I've ever eaten to shame. The tourist traps are trash, but that's true here in Chicago as well (hello Pizzeria Uno, I'm talking to you, still have a soft spot for Gino's East though). Plus, Chicago barbecue is a hobby, Memphis barbecue is a lifestyle. BBQ spaghetti, BBQ nachos (BBQ Shop's nachos are worth going to prison for), BBQ bologna, plus ribs that are meaty and spiced perfectly, allowing the meat to shine through. We just don't have that here, the sauce overtakes the meat. Rib tips are the one place where I'll agree Chicago has an edge. Finally, I shall end my rant with perhaps the most important point. Sweet. Tea.