==== North Carolina == Charlotte area -Lexington Barbecue #1, 10 Highway 29-70S, Lexington 336-249-9814. Like a truck stop circa 1964. Tender smoky pork. -Jimmy's BBQ, 1703 Cotton Grove Rd, Lexington 336-357-2311. Perfect sandwiches. -Dunhill Hotel 237 N Tryon St, Charlotte 704-332-4141. Historic hotel. -Bill Spoon's 5524 South Blvd, Charlotte 704-525-8865. Best BBQ restaurant in Charlotte == Highway 52 between Salisbury and Albemarle: the Barbecue Trail -College Barbecue 117 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury 704-633-9953. Old-fashioned drive-in. == Charleston -Jestine's Kitchen, famed soul food -Melvin's, great BBQ -North Charleston: Robert's, his brother, even better -stay AWAY from Maurice's, racist, also Carolina Gold sauce -Hoppin' John's Bookstore: cookbooks and local delicacies. Now web only? -look for boiled peanuts Jul - Sep ==== Georgia == Atlanta - Rosa Mexicano at Atlantic Station 245 18th St NW $$ Excellent classy Mexican ==== Kentucky == Western Kentucky BBQ trail (Sterns) -Owensboro: self-proclaimed BBQ capital of the world -Owensboro: Moonlight Bar-B-Q Inn. Gigantic -Owensboro: George's 1362 E 4th St. Mutton. Thickest, most satisfying burgoo. -Henderson: Stern-proclaimed capital of the fried chicken solar system, thanks to Bon Ton Mini Mart. Also must have the banana pudding. Chipped BBQ, not found in Owensboro. -Henderson: Thomason's Barbecue 701 Atkinson St. Mutton falls apart like pot roast. Hot and smoky beans. -Princeton: Jewell's Open Pit Bar-B-Que 1240 Hwy 62 W. Bunned or plated pulled pork. No mutton here. Topped with hot or mild. Rich red sauce with citrus zest. -******* Princeton: Heaton's Citgo and BBQ 495 Marion Rd: God, got to go here!!!! WHAT A NAME! Gas station BBQ! Unbelievably juicy pulled pork with hot sauce, sizzles. -Waverly: Peak Bros. Bar-B-Que 6353 Hwy 60. Clear stand-out in the region. Mutton, yeah. Deep flavored on rye and raw onion. Sliced is a revelation. YEAH! -Marion: Marion Pit Bar-B-Que 728 Main St. Pulled pork and nothing else. Pale and exquisitely tender meat, hickory ==== Mississippi -Greenville: Doe's, legendary tamale restaurant ==== Louisiana -Montpelier: Bear Creek Saloon. Big country names. bearcreeksaloonanddancehall.com -Henderson: Pat's for Cajun == New Orleans -Buster's, Trillin best -Mosca's: Trillin roadhouse, baked clams -Dooky Chase. Great traditional gumbo -Johnny White's Sports Bar 720 Bourbon St Only place that never closed -Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop 941 Bourbon St Oldest building containing a bar in the country -Frenchmen Street, full of jazz clubs