Barbecue Bucket List: Home Team Barbecue In Charleston, South Carolina

To get some perspective on criteria on our most recent ranking of America's 35 Best Ribs, we spoke with Ardie Davis, Kansas City Barbeque Society member; author; barbecue competition judge; and founder of the American Royal International BBQ Sauce, Rub & Baste contest, who told us that "regardless of breed, expense, and cooking method, perfect ribs look delicious, are easy to chew — and to you, they're delicious. The meat easily tugs off the bone... but is not overcooked to a mushy consistency." He described the ideal taste as possessing a "kiss of smoke," while being simultaneously "not bitter; lightly seasoned with complementary seasonings if any... No hint of Freon, lighter fluid, fish, or other flavors that don't belong in ribs. Perfect ribs resonate deep down in your primal DNA."

While we know that barbecue styles vary region by region (we hear you grumbling about Kansas City, Texans), we feel confident that these criteria are universally applicable when determining great ribs.

Home Team Barbecue, around since 2006, was described as serving "the most life-changing BBQ ribs" in America by Esquire in 2012. Pitmaster Aaron Siegel starts with a sweet and spicy rub that's used on just about everything he smokes, and the ribs go down for five to six hours. 

When they emerge, they're covered in a deeply caramelized bark and are moist and tender. The place also has killer cocktails you can sip while you bask in their ribs' meaty glory