If you have never been to Murphysboro, Illinois, the honor that was recently bestowed upon it might cause you to take notice. Murphysboro, a quaint town located in southern Illinois, has solidified itself as a powerhouse for barbecue in the state of Illinois.

Earlier this month, the Illinois House of Representatives designated Murphysboro the “Barbecue Capital of Illinois.” Just to put it into perspective, two of the eighteen members of the Barbecue Hall of Fame live in Murphysboro. Those two men, Mike Mills and Pat Burke, are the minds behind 17th Street Barbecue and Pat’s BBQ. 

Every year, the town hosts a barbecue cook-off that draws aficionados from all over the Midwest to its rural location. This year they will be celebrating their 28th annual cook-off and are expecting over 60 different teams to participate in the competition.

Learn more:
Murphysboro cited among nation’s top BBQ spots – The Southern Illinoisan
Visit the “17th Street BBQ Cook Off” website