Emily Saladino

I was once on a barbecue team that competed in the Kansas State Championship, and I am proud to report that the judges awarded me the 41st best pulled pork out of about 300 entries. I realize that reliving my past near-glories puts me in Uncle Rico territory. But I say this more to make a point of my barbecue obsession, right down to smoke rings and regional dry rubs and the age-old sauce debate (Memphis molasses sauce, please). This explains why I’ve been able to compile this list below of America’s best barbecue. I'm an expert, obviously. From the long-smoked brisket of central Texas to the whole hog majesty of the Carolinas, this is where to find the best barbecue restaurants in America. RECOMMENDED: The toughest reservations in America—and how to get them

While even the most fervent of foodies typically makes do with a purely utilitarian morning meal of cold cereal or toast, we’re here to argue for the expansive sit-down breakfast, a festival of fluffy pancakes, towering waffles, savory eggs and perennially flowing coffee. Whether you’re tucking into a plate at the best diners in America, the best coffee shops in America or the best donut shops in America, treat yourself to a proper start-of-day meal at these spots serving the best breakfast in America. Follow Time Out USA on Facebook; sign up for the Time Out USA newsletter

Analysts bemoan how many hard-working Americans are forced to lunch deskside, but another unheralded victim of modern workaholism is the big, buttery, old-fashioned breakfast. On-the-go cereal bars and $12 juices may seem de rigueur, but they are not the only games in town. We think it’s time to make more room in your week for a Bloody Mary and eggs Benedict—like, on a Tuesday!—and reclaim the day’s most important—and most delicious—meal. Luckily, the breakfast restaurants of America are well equipped to help. You can get boozy with a brunch in NYC (and boozier at a brunch in LA), get greasy at a gut-busting counter joint in Texas, or go healthy with a mound of fresh fruit at Oahu’s top café. From coast to coast—and beyond—America’s best breakfast restaurants are making a strong case for kicking off your day with a killer meal.

Engulfing a cheeseburger between two grilled cheese sandwiches may sound overwhelming, but the signature sammie at this brick-and-mortar spinoff of a food cart in Southwest Portland is enormously popular. Called YouCanHasCheeseburger, after a distinctly goofy Internet meme, the hearty handful serves up a griddled beef patty with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and grilled onions, plus ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. The already-indulgent patty is then sandwiched between two grilled cheeses on Texas toast. Day passes to the nearest gym are regrettably not included.

The world is divided between people who eat burgers in white-tablecloth restaurants, and fools who do not. Denver diners in the former category sing the praises of the Colorado lamb burger at this elegant Larimer Square spot from James Beard Award winner Jennifer Jasinski. Tender local lamb is topped with peppery arugula, spicy aioli and house-made mozzarella, bringing Rocky Mountain swagger to Jasinski’s thoughtfully sourced, Mediterranean-leaning menu.

The Lone Star State has an abundance of beef, but a perennial pick for homestyle cookin’ (final “g” optional) is Lankford Grocery, a Depression-era fruit stand turned classic diner in a residential stretch of the Fourth Ward. Simple, well-seasoned steak burgers headline the straightforward menu, which is served on casual four-tops in the no-frills dining room, or cherry-red picnic tables on the outdoor patio. Spice fiends favor the Firehouse burger, which combines beef patties with habanero sauce, cayenne butter and scattered jalapenos for good measure. Que caliente, y’all.

In recent years, this French Quarter stalwart underwent a change in ownership, a glamorous renovation and a chef replacement that has brought its shine back. Still an elegant, old-world fine dining experience with excellent service, the restaurant now offers a seasonally-inspired menu of classic Creole fare. Breakfast at Brennan’s is a must for locals and tourists, and you can’t miss the Bananas Foster—invented here—that still gets flambéed tableside.