How we rate
Five things, scored out of ten.
Every review uses the same scorecard, so you can compare a Texas-style brisket joint with a backyard pop-up without squinting.
1
Smoke
The meat itself: flavour, bark, tenderness and technique.
2
Sauce
House sauces and rubs. Bonus points for a sauce that adds something rather than hides something.
3
Sides
Slaw, beans, mac, pickles, bread. The supporting cast.
4
Value
Portion, price and whether we felt good when the bill arrived.
5
Paws
Dog friendliness: outdoor seating, water bowls and how warmly Bailey-types are welcomed.
Our promise
We pay for our own meals, we say what we really think, and we tell you when a place is closed before you drive there.