Enjoy a $25 gift certificate for "Real Pit Smoked BBQ" at the Blue Ribbon BBQ in West Newton or Arlington. 

The Scene
Families and young professionals come from far and wide to dig into heaping pulled pork platters and imposing slabs of ribs, amid a Southern roadside environment (counter service only). Lunch and dinner hours yield vastly different atmospheres: Daytime visitors enjoy a quiet, relaxed environment and rarely have a problem nabbing an open seat, while most nights bring standing-room-only crowds, forcing larger groups to skip the wait for a seat and take their meals to go.

The Food
Order an assortment of the Ribbon's slow-cooked meats to take a culinary tour of Southern barbecue styles--there's flavorful North Carolina pulled pork, moist Texas brisket, meaty Memphis dry-rubbed ribs, and smoky Kansas City burnt ends. Each platter comes with a choice of sides (maple-roasted sweet potatoes and creamy mac and cheese are among the top options). Leave room for a slice of delectable, homemade sweet potato pie for dessert.