Best Barbecue

There’s a new barbecue king in town! Red Coal BBQ (2839 Mall Drive, Eau Claire), smoked the competition with its Midwest-inspired take on pork, chicken, and brisket, pushing 11-time champ and new neighbor, Famous Dave’s (2911 Mall Drive, Eau Claire), into second place. However, plenty of diners are still hankering for Famous Dave’s award-winning ribs, Wilbur Beans, and cornbread muffins —  you can’t forget the cornbread muffin. Rounding out the pack is Karl’s Bar-B-Q Express (1456 Kennedy Road, Chippewa Falls). Known as the best BBQ caterer around, Karl’s is now bringing the same smoky flavor to its restaurant. — Jen Ekblad