The race for the best barbecue in New York City gets hotter and hotter every year. Sure, those from the south may grouse that the Big Apple could never compete with the originals - but the reason New York barbecue is so great is because pitmasters from Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, and other mainstays are making their way here to open restaurants. There's no need for barbecue lovers to fight - we're all united by our love of delicious low-and-slow meat. My personal favorite barbecue spot in NYC has got to be Hill Country Barbecue Market, and the people seem to agree - it has over 3,300 reviews on Google with a 4.4 average. This massive market is themed to a classic Texas barbecue market, which means the atmosphere is anything but formal - but it makes up for it with some of the best barbecue I've tasted, plus some big surprises.

Hill Country Barbecue Market is one of the largest restaurants in Chelsea - one might say everything is bigger in Texas, and this place lives up to that.

With locations in NYC and Washington DC, Hill Country is an attempt to recreate the classic Texas barbecue market format of restaurant. Rather than ordering at a table, you go up to the counter, order meats by the pound, and are given a meal ticket that you use to pay later.

The style here is authentic Texas barbecue - everything is cooked low and slow, and the dominant flavor is meat, smoke, and spice rather than sweet sauces.

The meats available are pork ribs, pulled pork, turkey breast, barbecue chicken, wings, sausage, dry-aged beef shoulder, and brisket cut your choice of lean or moist.

But the sides deserve just as much attention as the meats - the cheddar mac and cheese, the baked beans with burnt ends, and the sweet potato bourbon mash are among the highlights. There's even a chili packed with spice and meat.

At lunch, hearty sandwiches are available as an alternative to the larger meat platters - that'll give you the energy for the rest of the workday!

But save room for dessert - there are two delicious sweets here. House-made chocolate chip cookies and banana pudding are the perfect finish to a massive barbecue meal.

There's a full bar on site here, a rarity for a barbecue joint. Most drinks are served in mason jars - a nice little southern twist.

Downstairs, you'll find a bar and live music venue where country music acts usually come to thrill the crowds. It all comes together into one of the most exciting and delicious restaurants in Chelsea.

Have you enjoyed the smoked meats at Hill Country Barbecue Market? Do you think it's the best barbecue in New York City? Let us know in the comments section! You can see the full menu on the Hill Country website, and check out the Hill Country Facebook page to see all the announcements for limited-time meats and sides, plus live entertainment. While you're in the area, you can check out New York's most haunted hotel for yourself - and if you're not scared off by those legends, book a room at the beautiful and historic Hotel Chelsea!