Florida BBQ Spots Ranked Best in the U.S. by Food Experts

Who doesn't love a good dose of barbecue? Thankfully, here in Florida we have plenty of great spots to get your barbecue on. Now, one Texas food expert has tasted BBQ from all over the country, and he's picked his favorite spots throughout the U.S. What's really cool is that not one but two Florida BBQ places have been named among the best BBQ spots in the U.S. by this expert.

Daniel Vaughn is a reporter with the Texas Monthly. They know their BBQ down in Texas, of course. He has spent countless days, weeks and months eating across America in search of the best Texas-style barbecue in the country that isn't in Texas. He ate at 149 food spots in 37 states and picked the 53 best spots. According to the publication, it's "his first-ever list of 53 national barbecue joints that excel in the time-honored craft of slow-cooked meats smoked with the full flavors of hardwoods like hickory and oak.It's a craft in which the meat, especially beef, shines and brisket is king."

"What I hope people can see from the list is the power of Texas barbecue itself and how influential it has become across the country," Vaughn said. "When I first started [my career], I couldn't find fifty Texas-style barbecue joints, period, but now, there are too many to be able to get to them all."

Almost all of his top picks, named the United States of Texas Barbecue, were in the southern areas of the country, but it's worth noting that one stop in New York state and one in Los Angeles, California, made the cut. Moo’s Craft Barbecue in Los Angeles came in at No. 4 on the tally, while Southern Junction in Buffalo, New York, came in at No. 6.

So, which spot made the cut as the best in America? No. 1 on his tally is Palmira Barbecue in Charleston, South Carolina. On their official website, they state, "A menu at Palmira BBQ in Charleston that produces high quality items from top to bottom. Serving high quality meats and flavorful, carefully crafted sides." No. 2 on the roster is Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, North Carolina.

Truth be told, no Florida BBQ restaurant was included on its initial list, but the good news is that two Florida BBQ spots made the cut for "honorable mentions." Those two are ABBQ Meat & Drink in Atlantic Beach, located at 461 Atlantic Boulevard, and The Brisket Shoppe, located at 3501 N. Armenia Avenue in Tampa.  It's great to see all of these locally-owned spots getting some love, including one so close to home. Now, I want some BBQ.

Some people can’t live without their air fryers, while others consider them to be glorified convection ovens. First things first, air fryers aren't deep fryers. Many people use them as an alternative that can have similar results, but they’re just not the same. Air fryers circulate very hot air around your food, and that heat penetrates the food, achieving crispiness without a lot of or any oi at all.

Some experts have identified cancer risks related to high levels of certain chemicals found in some air fryers. Consumer Notice reported that Several models of air fryers contain polyfluorinated molecules, also known as "forever chemicals," in the nonstick coating of the basket. They also mention that scientific studies have established the health risks of exposure to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), showing links to health problems including infertility, hormone disruption, and some types of cancer.

They do suggest purchasing an air fryer with stainless steel or glass coatings to reduce PFAS exposure.

WebMD reported that in one study air frying fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases. But there is a workaround. You can lower the amount of COPs when air frying fish by adding fresh parsley, chives, or a mixture of the two. They said that these herbs act as antioxidants to reduce the COPs in air-fried foods.

Then some people may avoid air fryers altogether due to mess and buildup that’s hard to clean or get to, uneven cooking, limited food space, or the fact that there are better or more efficient ways to cook.

On the other hand, many people love air fryers because they are quick, easy to use, and use less oil than deep frying.

If an air fryer is the latest addition to your kitchen appliance lineup, you may want to skip using it with certain foods.

We're not talking about chicken wings here, we're talking about large whole chickens. You're better off sticking to an oven when it comes to cooking them. If you're wondering why, chicken must be cooked to a specific temperature internally before being consumed. According to the USDA, all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  Unfortunately, air frying this food item doesn't guarantee an even cook. But hey, at least chicken wings are small enough to get an even crisp. Just make sure you line the air fryer basket first if it's raw meat.

An air fryer is not a deep fryer. So, if you're looking to toss battered fries, meat cutlets, or battered veggies, think again. There's a big chance the batter will drip down the base of the machine, causing a big mess and major cleanup after. Bad enough, some people didn't know you even had to clean an air fryer regularly. No really, someone on Reddit shared that they didn't wash their air fryer basket after each use. "I don’t think I’ve ever washed it lol. I’ve had it for 8 months and decided to finally wash it today," they wrote. They continued to say how there was a bunch of "solidified juices" and "fat/ grease" from steak and chicken.

It's possible to make your favorite cheesy snacks in an air fryer. But it can get messy. AllRecipes cautions against air frying cheese. This isn't because of health reasons but for cleanup purposes. They point out that cheese melts fast. The outlet suggests sticking to foods that effectively hold the cheese in place. Maybe, just stick to frozen cheeses like mozzarella sticks.

Sure you can go ahead and put those Brussels sprouts or broccoli in the air fryer. But skip putting spinach, collard, or chard leaves in. If you haven't tried it already, light leaves might move and shift around during the cooking process. You may also come across a fairly dry vegetable if you don't put a little oil with it. And, of course, you don't want to forget the seasonings.

Some people have tried it but you probably shouldn't. Most air fryer models won't reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. According to Jolly Time Pop Corn, the best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, popcorn kernels can become lodged within the air fryer's heating element, which can potentially cause it to short.

Some grains like bread can be cooked in an air fryer. However, it can get a little tricky with lighter breads like toast and English muffins due to the air making them fly around. But anything like pasta, quinoa, and rice doesn't do too well. Raw grains need to absorb water to cook. But there is some good news. If you have rice that's already cooked, just add a little oil to reat in the air fryer.