First Place: Buz and Ned's Real Barbecue

1119 N. Boulevard
355-6055
buzandneds.com

Second Place: Q Barbeque

Third Place: Alamo BBQ

Richmond is a barbecue-loving town, and its ambassadors include longtime Boulevard denizens Buz and Ned's. The covered patio makes for a casual place to enjoy some extra-meaty, pork baby back ribs or killer beef brisket. And it's a rare Richmonder who hasn't been to a party or event catered by the place. The Broad Street location, with its more spacious inside and later hours, has only made it easier to get a rack of jumbo beef ribs when the craving strikes. Q Barbeque is known for slow cooking its 'cue over a wood-burning fire, a hot job but one that's gotten its barbecue crew nicknamed the Cool Smoke team. They've won medals all across the country for their efforts. With three locations — Midlothian, Glen Allen and the West End — Q is never out of reach. Alamo BBQ in Church Hill turns out Texas-style barbecue and is a favorite with vegetarians for the barbecued portobello mushroom sandwich, a rarity in a business focused on animal flesh.