Ep 2. Best. BBQ. Ever.

Best. Ever. season 1 episode 2 titled "Best. BBQ. Ever." pulls back the curtain on the search for the top-notch BBQ spots across the country. This episode offers up one BBQ dish after another - from brisket to pulled pork and everything in between - all while exploring the stories behind the people that run these grill joints.

The episode begins by visiting a family-run BBQ spot in Texas that's been around for over 70 years. Their secret behind such great BBQ lies in their wood-fired pit, combined with a special dry rub seasoning that is a family recipe. The pitmaster, who learned everything he knows from his father and grandfather, gives insights into the history of their kitchen and how they have maintained their family tradition.

The show then travels to Memphis, the self-proclaimed "BBQ capital of the world," for a behind-the-scenes look at where BBQ was born. Memphis is famous for their pork ribs, and the episode offers a trip through time as it showcases the different styles and cooking techniques used in the area. From charcoal pits to dry rubs, Memphis BBQ promises to be a memorable experience.

Next up on the show is Carolina-style BBQ, which out of the various styles, is one of the most distinctive. The episode features a pitmaster who has been smoking meat for over 20 years. Carolina BBQ features whole-hog cooking, a process that requires a unique skill set that only a handful possess. The episode explores the cooking process and how the pitmaster maintains the perfect temperature for hours on end.

The episode then travels to Kansas City, which is famous for its thick, sweet BBQ sauce. A pitmaster shares his recipe, which includes brown sugar and molasses, but not so much that it overpowers the meat. The show highlights the different meat cuts used in Kansas City-style BBQ, such as burnt ends, which are made from the crisp edges of sliced brisket.

The episode also features a stop in Alabama, which has a unique BBQ style. White sauce, which is made up of mayonnaise and vinegar, is the trademark sauce of Alabama BBQ. The episode talks to a pitmaster who has been voted as the best in the state multiple times and offers an insight into how he has perfected his white sauce over the years. The show then explores how the BBQ culture of Alabama has remained unchanged despite the newer smoked meat trends in other parts of the country.

Finally, the episode culminates with a visit to a food festival in Georgia that showcases the evolution of BBQ into diverse and trendy dishes that continue to develop and grow. Pitmasters from all over the country come to the festival to showcase their latest creations that span from smoked wings to BBQ spaghetti. The festival brings together different BBQ styles and the episode gives a glimpse into how BBQ has become less about traditions and more about experimentation.

"Best. BBQ. Ever." encapsulates the history, culture, and evolution of BBQ across the United States. The show inspires a new appreciation for the pitmasters who work tirelessly to perfect their craft and offers insights into the family traditions and backgrounds of the people who keep the BBQ culture alive. The episode presents a must-watch experience for foodies and BBQ lovers alike.