No matter how you spell it - barbecue, barbeque, or bar-b-que - this saucy, All-American cuisine may not have been invented in Idaho, but it sure has found itself perfected here! Idahoans know meat: how to slow marinate, smoke, and bring out every ounce of tender juiciness. Fortunately, we also know how to do things by hand for that homemade touch.

Delicious barbecue can be found all over the Gem State if you know where to look – and that includes mouthwatering BBQ sandwiches in all of their juicy, creative variations. So, the next time you’re craving some smoky, meaty goodness, give one of these Idaho barbecue joints - and their famous sandwiches - a try.

1. Famous Willies BBQ, Post Falls

Dine next to the likes of Willie Nelson, Will Smith, and dozens of other famous "Willies," while chowing down on a huge, Texas-style beef brisket sandwich. Thick cut chopped brisket that melts in your mouth, smoked and cooked on-site, plus your choice of BBQ sauces - our recommendation? Go for the Taste of Texas, which is piled high with pork, Cajun sausage AND brisket.

Address: 107 E 7th Ave. Post Falls, ID 83854

2. The Rib Cage, Council

The "Best Dern BBQ" has already won our hearts multiple times for their fresh ingredients and handmade touch on everything they serve (delicious desserts included!), but you'll find sheer perfection with the original Rib Cage Burger. Bacon, pulled pork, and two burger patties on a perfectly toasted bun is one sandwich that really holds its own, even under the piles of juicy smoked meat. The down side? You might not have room for their sweet grilled pineapple or freshmade desserts!

Address: 102 Mosher Ave. Council, ID 83612

3. Pitmaster BarBQue, Idaho Falls

Award-winning BBQ in Eastern Idaho? Yes, please! There's a lot to love about this delicious eatery, but the sauce selections are what really takes this smoky gem over the top, allowing you to customize the flavors to perfection. Our recommendation? The massive Hawga-Changa, which is a truly unique BBQ "sandwich." Pork, baked beans and Pepper Jack cheese all wrapped in a tortilla and fried until crisp, this behemoth beauty is also drizzled with Pitmaster's special Hawga sauce.

Address: 1305 Fremont Ave. Idaho Falls, ID 83402

4. Junior's Barbecue, Hayden

This hidden gem of a BBQ joint knows what's up when it comes to giving 'que a little attitude. Since Junior himself has been making his own sauce for decades, you know that every drop of every variation is honed to perfection! Our recommendation: try the Sloppy Jo-Jo: a delicious blend of Pulled Pork, Deep Pit Beef, bacon, bell peppers, onions, and spices. Top it with Junior's signature Habanero BBQ sauce for max flavor! While you're here, you'll want to munch on the thin, hand-cut seasoned fries and try every flavor of housemade "Tractor Soda" as well!

Address: 85 W Prairie Shopping Ctr. Hayden, ID 83835

5. Triple B Backhills BBQ on Best, Coeur d'Alene

If you like your BBQ the way nature intended - saucy, messy, meaty, and finger-lickin' - then this little food truck is for you. Here, you'll find a smattering of tasty 'que treats that are smothered and piled with the sweet, tangy wonders of the carnivore kingdom. Our recommendation? Try the Junkyard Dog - a 1/4 lb. all-beef dawg on a locally-sourced bun, piled high with Mac and Cheese and Pulled Pork. Add some beans and slaw on top if you dare.

Address: 510 Best Ave. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

6. CD's Smoke Pit, Moscow

Rustic, fresh-smoked goodness is what you'll find at CD's, if the piles of wood out back weren't already an indication of the hearty wonders that await you on the inside. Our recommendation: the BBQ Meatball Sub. These 1/2 lb. sandwiches aren't your ordinary meatball sub that you get at a fast food joint... here, the meatballs are stuffed with pulled pork and mozzarella cheese before being loaded up with homemade marinara. A garlic butter hoagie is toasted to give the meat a crunchy base to cling to, and the whole things is topped with more mozzarella. Holy smokes!

Address: 311 E Veatch St. Moscow, ID 83843

7. Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese, Coeur d'Alene

Meltz may not be a barbecue pit stop like you normally see, but it's definitely a BBQ haven. A rotating selection of incredible grilled cheese sandwiches - often smothered in creative varieties of homemade BBQ sauce. Whether it's the Asian-inspired Killer Korean, with Korean BBQ Pulled Pork, Provolone, PepperJack, a spicy Kimchi "Slaw," and Sesame Lime-Aioli... or the mind-blowing Oinker, with Sharp Cheddar, BBQ Pulled Pork, Bacon, creamy Cavatappi Pasta, and buttermilk Fried Onions. But this cheese-lover's dream is always experimenting and bringing back old favorites, so get ready to dig into Meltz' homemade Huckleberry BBQ sauce when it comes back around!

Address: 1735 W Kathleen Ave. Ste 3. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815

8. Bodacious Pig BBQ, Eagle

Where else can you find an elegant teardrop chandelier, velvet booth covers, and saucy, juicy BBQ? Bodacious Pig, of course! But while diners go ga-ga over the Bread Pudding, fresh toasted Brioche buns from Gaston's in Boise form the perfect base for their heavenly creations. While you can never go wrong with the Oink Oink, the overlooked Brunch Burger is a totally unique twist on the burger patty-pulled pork combo. Freshly ground brisket & sirloin forms the base, with mayo, cheddar cheese, bacon, an egg over easy, and a crunchy topping of potato chips make this sandwich a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures.

Address: 34 E State St. Eagle, ID 83616

9. Drummin Up BBQ, Coeur d'Alene

When you're ranked as the best BBQ in the state by multiple national travel-foodie sites, you know delicious things are happening here. Our recommendation: anything. Everything. All of it. But the Pulled Pork Sandwich and Brisket Sandwich are both crowd favorites.

Address: 3023 N Government Way. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

10. Twin Falls Sandwich Company, Twin Falls

You fell in love with the Twin Falls Sandwich Co. for their to-die for sandwiches and sides, like their White Cheddar Mac & Cheese Bites or finger-lickin Chili Burger . But this local gem also likes to rotate in creative wonders like the Trough. This delish masterpiece features both ham and pulled pork, house made BBQ sauce, sautéed onions, mushrooms, and jalapeños, with melted provolone - all served on an Italian Hoagie! Keep checking back to see when this tasty sammie comes back on the menu.

Address: 128 Main Ave N. Twin Falls, Idaho

YUM! Now that warmer, sunnier weather is here, barbecue season is in full swing. What's your favorite place to get a BBQ sandwich in Idaho?