They say that the best things in life are worth the wait. Franklin Barbecue will put that theory to the test, with wait times of more than three hours for lunch. Arrive early with water for your dog to drink while you queue up for James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s brisket, ribs and sandwiches. If you don’t, you risk them selling out!

To check out more of pet-friendly Austin, stay nearby at Downright Austin, a Renaissance Hotel.

Everybody knows you can’t visit Memphis without eating some of what many consider the world’s best barbecue. The city is known for its ‘cue that’s slow-smoked in a pit and then either served with dry rub spices or wet with barbecue sauce. Grab a seat on the covered front deck at Central BBQ’s original Midtown location. Fido will be in hog heaven with all the delicious smells and the thought that he might snag a fallen meaty tidbit. Start with a local specialty: a heaping pile of nachos topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, two types of cheese, jalapeños and a dusting of dry rub seasoning. Then, choose between slabs of BBQ ribs, smoked sausage, pulled pork, chicken, beef, or turkey for your main course. Don’t forget to save room for the banana pudding!

Stay with your pup at Residence Inn by Marriott Memphis Downtown to check out all this soulful city by the Mighty Mississippi has to offer.

For generations, Woodyard Bar-B-Que supplied wood to Kansas City pitmasters before “ulti-muttly” firing up its own smokers. Order pulled pork, brisket, burnt ends, ribs or wings with a signature side like cheesy corn, then take a seat with Fido on the spacious front patio or in the backyard garden. After lunch, your pup can burn off some energy in the fenced “Woofyard” dog park.

Dog-friendly lodging is available in Kansas City at Candlewood Suites, which has a grassy pet relief area.

In March of 2015, pitmaster John Lewis packed up his smokers and left Austin (where he grew up and became a star with the success of La Barbecue) to introduce the Holy City to the holy grail of Texas ‘cue. Since 2016, he has gained a cult-like following at Lewis Barbecue in Charleston, and now at another location in Greenville, SC. Diners and their dogs wait hours for a taste of expertly smoked pork spareribs, beef ribs, “Texas hot guts” sausage, oxtail and legendary beef brisket. Bring Fido to sit on the expansive backyard patio while you experience what all the fuss is about.

Sleep off your meat coma and enjoy Southern hospitality at The Ryder Hotel, a dog-friendly boutique hotel on historic Meeting Street.

For barbecue with a Cajun accent, pull up a seat on the enclosed, heated outdoor patio at Satchmo’s. Pair your favorite slow-smoked, hand-rubbed meat (brisket, shaved chicken breast, pulled pork or pork spare ribs) with delicious Southern-style sides like mac-n-cheese, smoked beans, Southwestern coleslaw, dirty rice, and red beans and rice. And don’t forget the fresh cracklin’ cornbread! Fido would love a tasty morsel of ‘cue paired with his own order of sweet potato fries.

Stay close by in retro-cool accommodations at the Americana Motor Hotel, where your pup gets use of complimentary food and water bowls and an onsite pet relief area.

Check out the ‘cue scene in Nashville at Edley’s Bar-B-Que 12 South, where dogs can settle in on the covered patio, which is heated during winter. They smoke meats low and slow over white oak, and the menu goes beyond your basic pulled pork sandwich. Dig into brisket tacos, St. Louis-cut ribs, or the Tuck Special, a popular, messy sandwich made with sliced smoked brisket, an over-easy egg, house-made spicy pimento cheese, pickles and Edley's Red & White BBQ sauce on a fluffy bun. Round out your feast with scratch-made sides like grits casserole and butter-seared cornbread and wash it down with a Bushwacker or Bourbon Tea. Fido is also welcome at Edley’s other Nashville locations in Sylvan Park, Nolensville, Donelson, and in Chattanooga, as well as locations in O’Fallon and Glen Carbon, IL.

Keep your tail-wagging getaway close by at The Gilmore, an AvantStay Hotel, a dog-friendly rental within walking distance of Edley’s and shops in the 12 South neighborhood.

A relative newcomer to the St. Louis barbecue scene, Bogart’s Smokehouse opened in 2011 in the historic Soulard neighborhood. Its mission is to create high-quality, delicious BBQ like its praised sister restaurants in the Pappy’s Smokehouse family. Sit at one of the dog-friendly sidewalk picnic tables and sample smoked tri-tip sirloin, pastrami, and apricot-glazed ribs. Bogart's chef uses a blowtorch to caramelize his signature ribs and a rotisserie-style Ole Hickory Pits smoker adds flavor to another popular menu item, Bogart’s Pit Beans. Be sure to let Fido snag a leftover morsel!

Book a pet-friendly room at the Magnolia Hotel St. Louis, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, and enjoy no additional pet fees.

Get a taste of the Lone Star State in Richmond, Virginia at ZZQ. The owner and self-taught pitmaster is a native Texan who smokes his meat in three white oak-burning, 1,000-gallon offset pits. ZZQ’s brisket rub deviates a bit from the standard pepper-and-salt seasoning with a few added herbs and spices, but it’s the real deal. In addition to brisket, you can sample pulled pork shoulder, prime rib or pork spare ribs paired with sides like tomato pie and jalapeño mac-n-cheese at one of the dog-friendly tables. They’re open until they sell out (or 6 p.m., whichever comes first), so you may want to get there early.

For a unique experience, book a dog-friendly houseboat during your visit to the River City. The GiaMaria is a 50' Chris-Craft houseboat that has been completely remodeled inside and is located in a gated marina.

Bring Fido to the original 4 Rivers Smokehouse location in Winter Park, the first restaurant in this Florida chain, for award-winning barbecue. Owner John Rivers combines the best barbecue recipes and techniques from all over the U.S., including California-style tri-tip, Memphis-style pulled pork, Kansas City burnt ends, St. Louis-style ribs, and the restaurant’s signature Texas Angus brisket. Order at the counter and enjoy your meal on the dog-friendly covered outdoor patio. Fido is also welcome at locations in Winter Garden, Longwood, and Orlando.

If you want to check out the area, stay nearby at the comfortable Home2 Suites by Hilton Winter Garden with your pooch.

Follow your nose to Woodshed Smokehouse, where Fido won’t have to beg for scraps from your plate because a dedicated Puppers Menu gives doggy diners’ tails something to wag about. Chef Tim Love’s open-air eatery along the banks of the Trinity River welcomes pets at tables under the trees strewn with twinkle lights. Enjoy live music while you chow down on “pitmaster fat”, brisket, pork ribs or brisket-stuffed piquillo peppers. End on a sweet note with smoked chocolate pie while your barbecue buddy soaks up the smoky aromas and gnaws on an organic beef or peanut butter bone.

After your barbecue feast, curl up at the Kimpton Harper Hotel downtown. This pet-friendly retreat welcomes dogs of all sizes with treats, pet beds and bowls.