Barbecue

Taking top honors in this category is no mean feat in a city that is known to prize fine 'cue. At Bandana's, their winning ways are a matter of meat and sauce selection, certainly, but the family-owned chain (which boasts 11 locations in the St. Louis area) also manages to make patience one of their primary virtues. Their Southern-style barbecue is slow-cooked in wood pit smokers -- pork and beef for 14 hours, chicken for five -- and prepared sauceless, with their own special dry rub. Once it gets to the table, you can add your choice of four sauces. Whether you're brave enough to choose the hot sauce or go with the popular sweet and smoky, Bandana's is the place to go for a meal that will stick to your, uh, ribs.

1. Bandana's Bar-B-Q
2. Super Smokers
3. KC Masterpiece
4. Robbie's Shrimp & BBQ
5. Memphis Best