BARBECUE

ABITA BAR-B-QUE 69399 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs (985) 892-0205 Often voted as having some of the best baby back ribs in the area, Abita Bar-B-Que keeps the Northshore licking its fingers with all the traditional faves (pork, chicken, beef, ribs, etc.) but also consider the boomerang-sized turkey legs. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Credit cards. $

ADAM'S BARBECUE PLUS 1246 Franklin Ave. 942-1100 This family-run takeout joint near Faubourg Marigny has rapidly become a local favorite for its tangy barbecue sauce, potato salad and yams. Choose from pork or beef ribs or chicken, served in all possible combinations. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Delivery available. Cash only. $

CORKY'S BAR-B-Q 4243 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 887-5000; www.corkysribs.com Corky's serves up juicy Memphis-style barbecue plates and sandwiches with all the classic sides: coleslaw, beans, macaroni and cheese and the non-traditional but ever-popular spaghetti. Load up on barbecued pork, brisket or chicken, but save room for home-style desserts like apple cobbler with ice cream. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

FIVE O'CLOCK GRILLE & PREMIUM PIT BBQ 501 Bourbon St. 529-4256 Now you can strut with your barbecue right down Bourbon Street at this relatively new addition. Choose from beef brisket, pulled pork, hot sausage and smoked chicken and make your own plate with a variety of sides. Reservations accepted. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $

HILLBILLY BAR-B-Q 208 Tallulah Ave., River Ridge 738-1508 Chef-owner Larry Wyatt claims Hillbilly Bar-B-Q isn't anything close to gourmet -- just good home cookin'. But regulars might argue that it's just as good for invoking dreams of Kentucky hickory-smoked meats cooked with a vinegar-based barbecue sauce, served alongside Hobo Taters, a hot potato salad dressed with bacon and sour cream. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Credit cards and checks. $

THE JOINT 801 Poland Ave. 949-3232 At this funky Bywater locale, patrons plug quarters into the jukebox and order helpings of pulled pork, ribs and barbecued chicken. The kitchen dry-rubs the meat, smokes it slowly and serves the housemade sauces on the side. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Thursday through Saturday and Monday, lunch and early dinner Sunday. Call for delivery availability. Credit cards. $

SILKY O'SULLIVAN'S 311 Decatur St. 525-1011 Watch the latest sports brawl on Silky's three big-screen TVs while feasting on Memphis-style ribs and pulled pork that has been smoked for 10 hours over apple wood. The barbecue treats are dry-rubbed, but there's always Silky's special sauce to add some humidity. No reservations. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Credit cards. $$