I've found that hitting the bbq joints can be hit or miss.
When I visited Big Bob Gibson's in Decatur Alabama the ribs were fantastic, the pulled pork and brisket tasted like, (and probably were), yesterdays reheated leftovers.
Visited "The Shed" in Ocean Springs, MS, had a pulled pork sandwich, nothing special.
I think the hype from awards and TV shows raises our expectations far above what we produce on our own smokers in our backyards.