New York

Buffalo isn’t just a city that puts blue cheese on everything. Here, barbecue is a language all its own. The scent of slow-smoked ribs curling from a side street, the sticky fingers after the first bite—these are city rituals as much as Saturday football or snow in April. What makes Buffalo BBQ different? The answer … Read more

Geneva, NY is a quiet star on the Finger Lakes map, but when it comes to barbecue, it smolders with hidden talent. From afternoons spent trailing the aroma from Main Street to evenings testing sauces with the locals, I quickly learned not every plate of ribs is created equal here. Some spots slow-smoke their meats … Read more

Albany might be famous for its old architecture and the Hudson’s steady churn, but don’t underestimate its smoke game. The city’s BBQ scene is a patchwork quilt of wood smoke, sizzle, soft rolls, tangy pickles, and that unmistakable feeling when you spot the pitmaster at work. I remember the first time I followed a friend’s … Read more