Hasta La Gadget!

We’re kicking off a 37-day road trip around this great BBQ Nation to find some of the best barbecue the U.S. has to offer. But before we do, we checked in with our local editors around the country who revealed their picks for some of the hottest ‘cue joints in 15 major cities. Put these spots in your back pocket during your summer travels and stay tuned to our social channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for daily livestreams from around the country.

Have a favorite ‘cue joint of your own? Instagram it with hashtag #ZagatBBQNation and at the end of our trip we’ll declare a People’s Choice Winner.

Austin: LeRoy & Lewis

Each day brings a new menu at Evan LeRoy’s new trailer, where the former pitmaster from Freedmen’s slings “new school barbecue” created using proteins from local ranches and sides dictated by the season’s finest produce. Recent specials have included 44 Farms barbacoa, Strube Ranch Mishima Wagyu brisket and a beef cheek sandwich topped with spicy kimchi and beet barbecue sauce on a housemade brioche bun. In addition to spins on classics like heirloom potato salad and tarragon slaw, you’ll also see fun sides like kimchi deviled eggs with chili crisps and a refreshing watermelon-fennel salad. And be sure to save room for the farm inspired dessert: this week it’s blueberry bread pudding with basil ice cream.

101-121 Pickle Rd.; 512-775-3392

Asheville: Buxton Hall Barbecue

In Eastern North Carolina, good barbecue is as prominent as good beer, and Buxton Hall Barbecue stands proud as one of the best in the Asheville region. Housed in a sprawling industrial space resembling a glorified, contemporary cafeteria, the restaurant, helmed by chef Elliott Moss goes above and beyond the call of ‘cue duty by baking a bevy of desserts, shaking up boozy slushies, making its own “Mountain Dew” and of course, cooking whole-hog barbecue along with other Southern fixtures. Locally-sourced pigs cook low and slow over wood, resulting in rich, flavorful and tender pulled pork. Barbecue chicken and buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches with pimento cheese and white BBQ sauce are other menu musts, along with a slice or two of pie.

32 Banks Ave.; 828-232-7216

Atlanta: B’s Cracklin’ BBQ

No longer just the purview of its rustic suburbs, Georgia’s capital city has seen an explosion in its intown barbecue joints recently. One of the best and most talked-about newcomers comes courtesy Bryan Furman, pitmaster of this new Riverside spot. Furman’s first location is five hours away in Savannah, and opened in 2014, but he recently relocated to the A to open this smokehouse, bringing the city his commendable focus on heritage breeds of hog — and the tasty applications thereof. The South Carolina native has a chalkboard in his restaurant displaying the origins of the day’s pork. Other nods to regionalism include a mustard-based and a vinegar-based barbecue sauce both made with peaches, and cornbread hoecakes cooked on a griddle rather than baked in an oven.

2061 Main St NW, Atlanta; 678-949-9912

Boston: The Smoke Shop

Opened in Central Square last summer, this is the latest project from chef Andy Husbands (Tremont 647), a “Hell’s Kitchen” alum who has written a couple of barbecue cookbooks, including his just-released tome “Pitmaster.” Husbands also tours the country with IQue, his competitive barbecue team that was the first group from New England to win the Jack Daniels World BBQ Championship. Find out why by opting for a slab of “1st Place Ribs” — though you won’t go wrong with any of our other favorites, like the burnt ends, hot links sandwich with pimento cheese, and internationally-inflected fried chicken imbued with Thai spices and fermented pepper mayo.

1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge; 617-577-7427

Chicago: Southern Cut

The folks behind Chicago Cut and Ocean Cut have expanded their empire once again, this time with barbecue-based, Southern Cut (note the pattern here). Acclaimed barbecue expert Lee Ann Whippen is helming the smokers and it’s hard to go wrong with any of her fork-tender smoked meats. Her ribs are rightfully renowned, as is her pulled pork and brisket, but don’t overlook the menu underdogs like honey-mustard glazed salmon.  

198 E. Delaware Pl.; 312-280-8887

Dallas: Smoky Rose

Barbecue joints in Dallas typically feature cafeteria-style service with long lines (at the great spots, at least) and a 99.7% chance of leaving the restaurant smelling like smoked meat. This new spot in East Dallas near White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum takes barbecue and elevates it by placing it on the menu alongside chef-driven fare while still maintaining that essential casualness of the best BBQ places. A spacious patio and beer garden with fire pits and art installations make for perfect summer noshing on moist brisket, pulled pork and housemade smoked sausage.

8602 Garland Rd.; 469-776-5655

Denver: Roaming Buffalo Bar-Be-Que

Founded on ranching, Colorado’s as famous for its lamb and bison as its beef. So why shouldn’t it have a distinctive barbecue style? Enter Coy and Rachael Webb. Over the past couple of years, their Harvard Gulch pit stop has shot to the top of the town thanks to pecanwood-smoked specialties that include pulled lamb shoulder, bison back ribs and venison sausage (pictured); recently, they launched weekend dinner service to serve fancier fare like molasses-glazed Cornish game hens and honey-cured salmon. And they’ve also expanded into the adjacent space, where City & Country Deli & Sausage Co. turns out such gems as lamb bacon–egg salad sandwiches. In short, the Webbs are single-handedly forging new frontiers for Rocky Mountain meat cookery — and we can’t wait to see where they take it next.

​2387 South Downing St.; 303-722-2226

Houston: The Pit Room

Since August, this Montrose eatery has offered myriad ways to sink your teeth into central Texas-style ‘cue including smoked brisket, ribs and three kinds of housemade sausage — the latter is a rarity and represents the team’s strict adherence to scratch-made goods. Chef and pit master Bramwell Tripp and owner Michael Sambrooks lead the kitchen that also turns out tacos, chili, classic sides and a complimentary pickle bar; tortillas for chips and tacos are made practically to order and utilize rendered fat from smoking the brisket. Draft beer, wine, lemonade and cold-brew coffee appease thirsts. Spread out in the rustic-casual space accented by iron and natural wood accents with benches, stools and a front patio overlooking busy Richmond Avenue.

1201 Richmond Ave.; 281-888-1929

Los Angeles: Bludso’s Bar & Que

Kevin Bludso, of the most excellent and award-winning Bludso’s BBQ, lent his name and expertise to the guys from The Golden State, and La Brea Avenue hasn’t been the same since. This combo BBQ joint and bar is known for its brisket, big beefy ribs, smoked chicken, pulled pork and great draft cocktails. In addition to great greens, mac ‘n’ cheese, baked beans and coleslaw for sides, there are amazing pies from Nicole Rucker, including her award-winning chocolate chess pie.

609 N. La Brea Ave.; 323-931-2583

Nashville: Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint

The small town of Henderson, Tennessee, is pretty much smack dab halfway from Nashville to Memphis, and that’s where Pat Martin got his start with barbecue. After refining his ‘cue skills, Martin’s gotten to the point where he just opened his seventh location in the region. This Downtown Nashville spot has been packing in crowds since opening in early 2016. Four whole hog pits and an attractive upstairs beer garden are big draws, and this restaurant’s significantly larger than other locations. Sure, there are plenty of tourists, but when has Nashville ever been shy about bragging on its contributions to American culture? Come in for the hickory-smoked meats, as traditional as you like, or get a little playful with the “Redneck Taco,” which piles pulled pork and coleslaw high atop a cornbread hoe cake.

410 4th Ave S Nashville; 615-288-0880

NYC: Pig Beach

The 150-seat outdoor eatery is returning this summer with its all-star culinary team. The barbecue bros behind Salty Rinse and Ribdiculous Bar-B-Krewe, made up of partners Shane McBride (Balthazar), Ed McFarland (Ed’s Lobster Bar), and Matt Abdoo (Del Posto) bring their award-winning signature meats to Pig Beach. Look for their championship babyback ribs, homemade sausage, and a brisket and short-rib burger.

480 Union Street, Brooklyn

San Francisco: 4505 Burgers & BBQ

A long ways from its roots as a Ferry Building Farmers’ Market burger stand, 4505’s NoPa patio-only restaurant is still one of the best places in town for smoky ‘cue like brisket and ribs. The sides are just as noteworthy (try the perfectly smoky baked beans or the crispy, cheesy frank-a-roni). 4505 is also readying to open its second branch in Oakland this summer.

705 Divisadero St.; 415-231-6993

Savannah, Georgia: Sandfly BBQ at the Streamliner

Memphis native Keith Latture took over his dad’s long running barbecue restaurant earlier this decade. Located in the Savannah suburb Isle of Hope, it quickly drew fans from all over the picturesque Southern city. And then in 2015, Sandfly expanded to Downtown Savannah, setting up shop in an adorably retro Streamliner diner that’d been renovated and restored by preservationists at Savannah College of Art & Design. Sandfly at the Streamliner turns out terrific Memphis-style ribs, smoked chicken and pulled pork, but the snap of the smoked sausages and the way the barbecue sauce caramelizes on their exterior is something else. It’s the sort of Southern meat mastery that’s kept locals lining up, but it’s still new enough (and far enough from bustling River Street) to not be too overloaded with tourists.

1220 Barnard St, Savannah; 912-335-8058

Washington, DC: Federalist Pig

Pitmaster Rob Sonderman, formerly of DCity Smokehouse, fires up a slew of meats at this Adams Morgan BBQ central, offering wood-smoked, dry-rubbed pork, brisket and turkey in sandwiches and on platters, plus veggie sides. Items often sell out by 7PM on weekends, so get there early for the best selection and check Facebook for updates on what’s left.

1654 Columbia Rd. NW; no phone number

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Pamela Anderson’s fashion evolution just keeps getting better. 

Over the weekend, the 49-year-old actress and model stepped out in a dazzling dress with sheer cutouts to celebrate a club opening in Marbella, Spain.

Anderson wore her blonde hair down with a bright red lip, drawing everyone’s attention to her sparkly dress. 

At a certain point in the night, the actress and her friend, Maria Bravo, jumped into the ocean for reasons unknown: 

But it looks like Anderson made it back to the party. Aside from her wet hair, her makeup (and dress!) looked unbothered: 

Over the past month Anderson has made appearances all over the world. A few weeks ago she stopped by the Cannes Film Festival before jetting to Monaco for a fashion show. She’s also been traveling to London a lot recently to visit her rumored boyfriend, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. 

type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=Related… + articlesList=591bebebe4b0a7458fa42354,58ff9471e4b0f5463a1a738f,58c2afbde4b0d1078ca62c5b

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Blaque, a 25-year-old from Virginia, was on a freakin’ roll.

She designs wigs and decided she wanted to dedicate a space in her apartment to her hobby, which is turning into a budding business.

Recently, she jumped on Amazon and began ordering stuff she needed to create the ultimate wig-making station. She was just clicking away, adding all kinds of items to her cart, including a desk, when she spotted a cute ghost chair that was advertised as an “add-on” item.

“I didn’t think twice about the chair,” Blaque told HuffPost. “I didn’t look at the description or reviews.”

She added the $5 chair to her cart, thinking she scored a great deal and placed the order.

A few days later, on May 23, she got her shipment in a pretty big box.

“Even still, I thought it was kind of small to hold a chair,” she said.

But she still felt pretty good about things, figuring that the chair came in pieces and needed to be assembled. She continued to dig through her box, but there was no chair in sight.

“But there’s one small white box left and I’m trying to figure out what it is I ordered  — I think we are all guilty of forgetting what we buy online,” she told HuffPost.

She opened the white box and found this inside:

“I immediately busted out laughing,” she said.

Blaque found her mistake so funny, she decided to snap a picture of her tiny chair and post it to Twitter.

The post quickly went viral, receiving more than 10,000 likes and 4,000 retweets.

People found the mistake totally relatable.

“Apparently I’m not alone with this type of purchase,” she told HuffPost. “I had so many people tell me they bought the same chair or something else that was miniature!”

Blaque has decided to keep the tiny chair and it’s currently sitting on her new desk, acting as a decorative reminder of her hilarious mistake.

“Maybe it’ll end up being a business card holder,” she said.

And her takeaway from his silly ordeal?

“Literally always read the descriptions,” she said.

Much like a chair, that’s something we can totally support.

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

A neo-Nazi site has come to the defense of the man police believe fatally stabbed two train passengers in Portland, Oregon, Friday.

Jeremy Joseph Christian, a 35-year-old who is known to local authorities as a white supremacist, has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder, along with other offenses, over the incident. Police say he shouted racial and religious insults at two women on the train, one of whom was wearing a hijab. When bystanders tried to intervene, Christian allegedly stabbed three of them. Two died, and the third victim is expected to survive.

But according to the founder of the Daily Stormer, which actively promotes anti-Semitic and racist viewpoints, Christian was probably “defending himself against attackers.” Andrew Anglin suggested that the victims assaulted Christian, though Portland police have said that at least two of the men attempted to calm him before he started slashing.

Anglin concluded his take by saying the women Christian was allegedly targeting shouldn’t have been in the country in the first place.

“Again, it has to be said: when our people attack their people (if that indeed is what happened), the reason is the same as when the opposite happens: it is because they are in our countries in the first place,” he wrote. 

The Southern Poverty Law Center sued Anglin last month for allegedly orchestrating an anti-Semitic campaign against Jewish residents of Whitefish, Montana. Anglin published the phone numbers and email addresses of multiple Jewish people in the area and encouraged readers “take action,” which prompted a torrent of threatening messages. He targeted the residents after learning that Sherry Spencer, the mother of alt-right figure Richard Spencer and a Whitefish business owner, was facing criticism over her son’s politics. 

Anglin did not respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment.

Other right-wing sites and groups have offered their own takes on the attack. Conservative outlet The Daily Caller described Christian as “an anti-circumcision, Bernie Sanders supporter” based on comments on his Facebook page.

Christian indeed voiced support for Sanders and 2016 Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. Those comments were interspersed with others espousing white supremacist views and praise for Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, as well as a frequent complaints about circumcision, according to Buzzfeed. 

Jihad Watch’s Robert Spencer, whom the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as one of “America’s most prolific and vociferous anti-Muslim propagandists,” disagreed that Christian was distinctly anti-Muslim. The alleged attacker had disparaged Jews and Christians as well as Muslims aboard a different train the night before the stabbings, according to KOIN.

FBI crime statistics show that hate crimes against Muslims rose 67 percent from 2014 to 2015, while hate crimes overall were up 6.7 percent during that timeframe. Muslims continued to be targeted during the 2016 election as well. During his campaign, Donald Trump called for a national Muslim database and suggested the mother of a fallen soldier was not allowed to speak because of her religion. After winning the presidency, he quickly tried to ban people from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.

In a message to HuffPost, Spencer denied that Islamophobia is a legitimate problem in the U.S. 

”From his words he was clearly an equal opportunity hater. He harassed the Muslim women because they were there,” Spencer wrote of Christian. “You are emailing me because you want to shore up the fiction that Muslims are frequently the victims of hate crimes in the U.S.”

Ryan Mauro of the Clarion Project, which the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as “peddling anti-Muslim conspiracy theories,” gave his organization credit for denouncing Christian. 

“We did our part at Clarion Project by covering the story, because we believe Islamist extremism and anti-Muslim extremist must both be tackled,” Mauro wrote to HuffPost. “Christian saw himself as a valiant warrior against jihadists, but he is a gift to jihadists.”

The Clarion Project’s article on the attack only alluded to anti-Muslim sentiment by mentioning that Christian had insulted a woman wearing a hijab. Like Spencer, Mauro focused on the alleged attacker’s wide range of bigoted comments. 

“He was motivated by a stew of multiple hatreds and it would be wrong for the media and politicians to assign responsibility for this bloodshed to either party,” he wrote. 

Ricky John Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, the two men who died in the stabbing, have been hailed as heroes who stood up to hate. “They were attacked because they did the right thing,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Saturday.

Kim Bellware and Nick Visser contributed reporting. 

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Robert De Niro has long been a critic of Donald Trump, but over the weekend, the actor took a jab at the whole United States, calling the country “a tragic dumbass comedy.”

While addressing a graduating class of students at Brown University on Sunday, the Oscar winner congratulated the crowd before asking, “Are you sure you want to do this? Do you have any idea what’s happened to our world in the four years you’ve been here?”

“Well, the country’s going crazy. In movie terms, when you started school, the country was an inspiring uplifting drama. You’re graduating into a tragic dumbass comedy,” he continued, garnering a roar of applause. 

The “Taxi Driver” star, who earned an honorary doctorate degree from the Ivy League school, jokingly advised the grads to “lock the Van Wickle gates and stay here,” before offering up a few inspirational words. 

“Work for the change. Work to stop the insanity. Start now so the class of 2018 will graduate into a better world,” he said. 

Throughout Trump’s presidency, De Niro hasn’t held back his disapproval of the president and his administration. Last month, while promoting the Tribeca Film Festival, the actor spoke about Trump’s proposal to cut funding from various arts programs across the country. 

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.