La Barbecue Near Me
Saundra Balock
Overwhelmed with the number of barbecue joints out there and figuring out which place is the real deal?
We pioneered the original taste of Texas barbecue in Lockhart, TX, the BBQ capital of the state.
The Anderson Mill-adjacent restaurant from John Bates and Brandon Martinez (of the long-gone Noble Sandwich Co.) was named the second-best barbecue joint in the state by Texas Monthly. The menu is full of meats by weight (including sliced or chopped brisket), sandwiches, and tacos. The sides are particularly great as well. Expect lines.
The farmers market smoked meats stand opened its own physical deli, focused on its well-crafted barbecue in the Pecan Springs-Springdale neighborhood. This means pastrami a la carte or within sandwiches (plus the option of a brioche made with beef tallow), brisket (naturally), turkey breast, and much more. Owner Geoff Ellis is also a James Beard semifinalist this year.
The Eater Award-winning barbecue pop-up-turned-barbecue truck offers Egyptian-Texan smoked meats courtesy of James Beard Award semifinalist pitmaster Kareem El-Ghayesh. The menu is fun and delicious, with barbecue-topped rice bowls, stuffed pitas, and tahini. The location at MLK neighborhood brewery Oddwood Brewing makes it that much easier to pair beers with meats.
Service style: food truck-style service with indoor and outdoor dine-in areas courtesy of the host site; takeout orders can be placed online or in-person.
Days and hours: Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or until everything is sold out; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until everything is sold out.
Recommended orders: brisket, lamb bacon ribs, pomegranate-glazed pork ribs, kebabs, brisket rice bowl, and the cardamom and pistachio rice pudding.
Pitmasters owner Tom Micklethwait and Ren Garcia serve up thoughtful smoked meats at this Central East Austin food truck parked at their beer garden and bar Saddle Up. Expect the staples (brisket, Tex-Czech sausages, ribs) and standout sides like lemon-poppy slaw and jalapeno cheese grits.
Service-style: food truck-style service with indoor and outdoor dine-in areas courtesy of the host site; takeout orders can be placed in person.
Days and hours: Wednesday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. or until everything is sold out; noon to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday or until everything is sold out.
Recommended orders: brisket, pulled pork, chicken leg quarters, burnt ends with black-eyed peas.
The Holly barbecue restaurant from the late LeAnn Mueller has a permanent home befitting its ethos of funky cool and delicious vibes. On deck are beautiful briskets, ribs, house-made sausages, and, for something different, caviar, plus beers, Champagne, and cocktails.
The beloved counter-service barbecue restaurant and catering operation Blue Ribbon, around for over 25 years, has locations in Arlington, West Newton, and Dedham, serving up pit-smoked favorites in the style of a variety of regions: Kansas City burnt ends, Texas brisket, North Carolina pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, etc. No-frills sides (coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and the like) round out meals, but save room for a slice of pecan or key lime pie. Note: no booze.
Founded over a decade ago by a couple of East Coast Grill alums, Blackstrap started out as a tiny space with a focus on takeout, but the restaurant has expanded into adjacent spaces over the years, adding a full bar and dining room. Blackstrap touches on different barbecue regions with sweet and spicy Memphis-style dry rub ribs, smoky Texas-style brisket, and tangy North Carolina-style pulled pork. The friendly crew also does catering.
Fried chicken and barbecue can go hand in hand and you can get both at this beloved neighborhood joint for a barbecue-themed picnic. At this counter-service restaurant, you can order combos of fried chicken, fried catfish, short beef ribs, and pork ribs with delicious sides that are probably the best in the city.
Formerly known as M&M Ribs, M&M BBQ began as a food truck and catering operation before finding a home inside Dorchester Brewing Company in early 2020. Get the pork ribs, of course, but also try one of the sandwiches, which feature pulled pork, shredded beef brisket, fried chicken, or bratwurst. M&M offers ample gluten-free and/or vegetarian options, too.
With locations in Framingham, Braintree, and Peabody, this fast-casual group smokes meats over hickory, apple, and cherry wood, and the house barbecue sauce has a tomato base with a hint of chocolate. Lots of combos and bulk meats and sides are available.
This place is nearby and it is definitely on my choices of places for dinner. The meat is dekicioys and flavorful and their cornbread casserole is my absolute favorite. The employees are always friendly, the establishment is always clean. I highly recommend this place to neighbors and friends
Very clean and the brisket was very nice. The sides were really good. The potato salad is super flavorful and the corn bread type pudding was super delish!! Friendly staff. Reasonable prices. I'll be back on the regular, and Zimbabwean about an hour away!
Really excellent Texas style BBQ and I'm a BBQ snob! Heard good things about this place and decided to drive out and have a look myself. Love the backyard feel to the outdoor dining. Brisket, ribs and sausage all very good. Can't wait to go back.
A hit every time, for locals or out of town visitors, this is great bbq. The brisket is amazing, they ask about lean or fatty meat, juicy or end-charred pieces ... aim to please. The sides are great, especially the corn casserole. A family favorite!
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