Nothing, and we mean NOTHING, is more rewarding than the work and love that a brilliant brisket requires.

There’s a reason it’s one of those dishes that America just can’t get enough of.

Lucky for all of us in the Dead Meat Society, the folks at The Takeout drove the whole country judging brisket so we don’t have to (although we’d like to).

Well, technically, they analyzed a whole lot of data, but still…

The result is a state-by-state guidebook of the best briskets in America, with a side of the best brisket in each state.

After careful reading (and technically, some light drooling), this is what we’ve learned about the list…

THE PATTERN IS “TEXAS-ADJACENT”

With all due respect to every other state, brisket is a Texas thing.

And you can tell because a few trends establish themselves across the board…

  • The pitmasters are Texan, or Texas-trained. North Carolina’s Prime Barbecue runs on a Lone Star transplant. South Carolina’s Lewis Barbecue was built on Texas technique. And New Mexico’s Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue was founded by a born-and-bred Texan.

  • “Tastes like Texas” is the essential grading rubric. In state after state, the review that seals it is some ex-Texan swearing the brisket rivals home. High praise, apparently, is just homesickness.

  • Salt, pepper, oak, patience. The winners lean on Central Texas simplicity and long smokes. Ohio’s Smoked on High runs 18 hours. Kansas’ Buck Tui goes an absurd 48.

A FEW WILD CARDS STAND OUT

The spots that truly stand out are bending brisket into something local, rather than just copying what’s happening in Austin.

Buck Tui folds brisket into rangoons and pho, while New York’s Bark weaves in Dominican chicharrón. Even California’s Moo’s stirs in Mexican flair on its way to a Michelin nod.

Oh, and by the way… the mutations are glorious.

Brisket grilled cheese, brisket poutine, brisket Bolognese, even brisket Frito pie.

Insanity.

So where does that leave us? The days of treating great brisket as a Texas-only pilgrimage are over.

Odds are the best brisket of your life is already smoking somewhere in your own state…

So go out and eat it, friends.