Congratulations to Forrest Coile, winner of the Great American Barbecue Joint contest. Forrest’s description of Big John’s Alabama Bar-B-Que made me want to drop what I was doing, leap in my car, and drive halfway across the state of Florida to try it. I could just about smell the smoke all the way from Tampa.

I hope you enjoy your grill, Forrest.

I also want to mention the two runners up:

Mike Starks (big50), who raved about Mick’s Bar-B-Que in North Little Rock.

And also, Sarah Hirsch, who went so far as to describe her favorite joint (E.G. Nick’s in West Bloomfield, Michigan) in rhymed couplets!

But really, we call came out winners, because the posts on this contest introduced us to hundreds of friends—and great barbecue joints we may not have been familiar with.

So thanks to all and keep posting your favorites.