Your first time at a real, American BBQ restaurant is sure to be an indulgent experience. Smoked meats, delicious sides, and tangy sauces abound at these joints. Truly, anything you order off the menu will probably be delicious, but there are a few key dishes that are particularly important to try your first time around.

Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is typically pork that comes from the shoulder of the pig. It's smoked for hours on end before being pulled apart. The meat does not need to be cut; it's so tender and delicious. Every restaurant uses a somewhat different seasoning, but typically it's some combination of brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic. Pulled pork is often served on a sandwich with barbecue sauce and coleslaw — and this is probably the best sandwich you'll have at a BBQ restaurant.

Burnt Ends

Burnt ends are the ends of a smoked brisket. They get crunchier and more rendered down than the rest of the brisket because they have such a high fat content. A BBQ restaurant will only have a limited number of them, but if they happen to still have some when you visit, order them. They're so meaty and delicious; many consider them the best part of the brisket. If the burnt ends are gone, then order some brisket to try. It's still fall-apart tender and a nice contrast to the pulled pork.

Cornbread

Every BBQ restaurant does their sides a bit differently, but they all tend to offer cornbread as an option. Often, a slice will come with your meal by default. If it does not, it's worth ordering a slice for a few dollars. American-style cornbread — the style served at most BBQ restaurants — is usually on the sweet side. Many versions have some whole corn in the bread, and some even have jalapeno peppers added for spice. 

Hoppin' John

You could try the mac and cheese or baked beans as a side; they're probably incredible. But if you want a side that's more unique to barbecue, order the Hoppin' John. This is black-eyed peas cooked with ham hock, rice, sausage, and various seasonings. It's spicy, creamy, and a very satisfying accompaniment to smoked meats.

You really can't go wrong when ordering at a BBQ restaurant. But if you want to have a truly stellar first visit, you'd be wise to order the dishes above. 

Visit a local restaurant like Grumpy's Bar B Que Roadhouse to try some of these dishes.