Beloved Georgia BBQ Place Named No. 3 in the Country

Who doesn't love a good dose of barbecue? Thankfully, here in Georgia, 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 one Georgia BBQ place has been named the No. 3 best BBQ spot 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.

Here's where Georgia enters the race. Owens & Hull in Smyrna is No. 3. They use all locally-sourced food, which makes this place extra tasty. Owens & Hull is located at 6255 Riverview Road SE Building 4000 STE 100 in Mableton. 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.

From fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to fruits and omelets, the breakfast buffet offers an abundance of choices. As tempting as it may be, there are times when it's probably best to avoid certain food items to ensure a healthy and enjoyable dining experience.

Overall, breakfast buffets make a great choice if you're on the hunt for an economical meal or have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, as they allow you to handpick the items that perfectly match your requirements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that foodborne illnesses were responsible for sickness in approximately 48 million Americans. Within this number, it is estimated that around 128,000 cases required hospitalization, and tragically, 3,000 cases resulted in fatalities.

Breakfast buffets that lack proper maintenance and supervision may fall prey to stale and unappetizing food items. Dishes sitting out for too long lose their freshness and flavor, posing a risk to your taste buds and stomach. It’s best to opt for recently prepared items to savor the true essence of a breakfast buffet.

In breakfast buffet setups, hygiene can sometimes take a backseat. With numerous diners handling the serving utensils, there is a potential for the spread of germs and contaminants. Items like communal bread baskets and self-service stations may be susceptible to bacterial growth.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), buffets should prioritize swapping food trays rather than refilling them with new food to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and ensure food safety. The duration for which an old batch of food has been sitting on the buffet is often uncertain. After two hours at room temperature, the risk of harmful microorganisms thriving on the food increases significantly. Refilling food trays creates a potential risk of cross-contamination between the fresh food and any remaining food on the tray.

When encountering a breakfast buffet, knowing which foods to skip is wise. Here's a rundown of foods to avoid at breakfast buffets.

Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it's a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.

According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it's challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.

Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it's nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren't eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.

There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it's best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It's worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it's wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.