let's not forget that BBQ was created in North Carolina by poor blacks who needed a way to tenderize inexpensive cuts of meat. They literally dug a pit in the ground to smoke the meat for long periods of time. That is how the term "pit BBQ" came about.

Some of the best BBQ I've ever had was from hole in the wall black owned restaurants either in either the South or the Midwest. Some of them are walk up windows only with minimal outdoor seating. Usually the restaurants are located in the bad side of town and because of that you should schedule your visit during daylight hours.