Sometimes all you need is some good old fashioned barbecue to hit the spot—and nothing else will satisfy.
Fortunately, Ohio is home to several exceptionally delicious barbecue restaurants that keep locals (and visitors) coming back for more. The following are just 13 of our favorite places (listed in no particular order) in Ohio to get some mouthwatering, fulfilling barbecue. See if your favorite barbecue joint made the list:
- Eli’s BBQ (Cincinnati)
Jonathan R./Yelp
Jonathan R./Yelp For the best BBQ, mac and cheese and jalapeño cornbread you’ll ever have, brave the possibility of a long line at Eli’s BBQ. Fortunately, the long lines do go fast, and going during the week is one simple way to avoid a crowd. Eli’s BBQ is located at 3313 Riverside Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45226.
- Bill’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q (Nashport)
Bill’s Real Pit BBQ/Facebook This family owned and operated barbecue joint features all you can eat specials and family size combos in addition to regular size dinners, sandwiches and baskets. Bill’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q is located at 5945 Frazeysberg Road Nashport, OH 43830.
- The Boondocks BBQ & Grill (McConnelsville)
The Boondocks BBQ & Grill/Facebook
The Boondocks BBQ & Grill/Facebook This award-winning southeast Ohio barbecue joint features a diverse menu, from Louisiana Crab Cakes to slow cooked ribs and pulled pork. It is located at 4653 N State Route 60 NW, McConnelsville, OH 43756.
- Route 62 BBQ (Johnstown)
Route 62 BBQ/Facebook
Route 62 BBQ/Facebook You’ll find some of central Ohio’s best barbecue at Route 62 BBQ, where the meats are smoked to perfection. It’s located at 580 W Coshocton St,, Johnstown, OH 43031.
- Kiser’s Barbeque (Athens)
Kiser’s Barbecue on Court/Facebook
Kiser’s Barbecue on Court/Facebook With two locations in the college town of Athens, this family owned and operated establishment features homemade family recipes and fresh, local ingredients. Kiser’s Barbeque is located at 1002 E State St. Athens, OH 45701 and 42 S Court St. Athens, OH 45701.
- Bubba’s Q (Avon)
Bubba’s Q/Facebook “Home of the Deboned Baby Back Ribs” and slow smoked, Ohio-grown apple wood meats, this award-winning barbecue joint is a beloved local favorite. (Pictured are their honey BBQ turkey wings.) Bubba’s Q is located at 820 Center Rd., Avon, OH 44011.
- Belly Busters BBQ (Ashland)
Belly Busters BBQ/Facebook
Belly Busters BBQ/Facebook Belly Busters BBQ is “where the North meets the South.” In addition to specializing in traditional barbecue and soul food, this restaurant features exceptional burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. It is located at 1159 E Main St., Ashland, OH 44805.
- Seven Miles Smokehouse (Chillicothe)
7milessmokehouse.com
7 Miles Smokehouse/Facebook With slow, southern cooked meats and sides made from scratch every day, this family owned and operated smokehouse serves up some exceptional barbecue. Pictured is “The Mad Dog” with pulled smoked chicken, beef brisket and pulled pork, topped with grilled onions, sauce and creamy signature cole slaw. Seven Miles Smokehouse is located at 285 E 7th St., Chillicothe, OH 45601.
- Boathouse BBQ (Marietta
Boathouse BBQ/Facebook
Boathouse BBQ/Facebook This family style barbecue joint along the Ohio River has received more than 12 awards for their exceptional ribs, wings and chili. Boathouse BBQ is located at 218 Virginia St., Marietta, OH 45750.
- Deet’s BBQ (Maumee)
Dee’s BBQ/Facebook This family owned and operated barbecue joint also operates as a mobile catering company, based in Maumee. Some local favorite dishes include their sliced brisket sandwich, slow smoked pulled pork and St. Louis style ribs. Dee’s BBQ is located at 1385 Conant St., Suite D, Maumee, OH 43537.
- Kennedy’s Bar-B-Que (Canton)
Kennedy’s Bar-B-Que/Facebook
Kennedy’s Bar-B-Que/Facebook For an exceptional pulled pork or ham sandwich, head over to Kennedy’s Bar-B-Que, located at 1420 7th St. NW, Canton, OH 44703.
- Oak Hill Barbecue (Sunbury)
Oak Hill Barbecue/Facebook
Oak Hill Barbecue/Facebook This small, casual joint features delicious, authentic wood fired barbecue. Oak Hill Barbecue is located at 60 N Columbus St, Sunbury, OH 43074.
- Open Pitt Bar-B-Que (Cleveland)
Open Pitt Barbeque Carryout/Facebook
Open Pitt Barbeque Carryout/Facebook Since 1988 this local favorite barbecue joint has served up delicious soul food and mouthwatering chicken wings. It is located at 12335 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44108.
Have you been to any of these restaurants? Where is your favorite place in Ohio to get some delicious barbecue?
Jonathan R./Yelp
For the best BBQ, mac and cheese and jalapeño cornbread you’ll ever have, brave the possibility of a long line at Eli’s BBQ. Fortunately, the long lines do go fast, and going during the week is one simple way to avoid a crowd. Eli’s BBQ is located at 3313 Riverside Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45226.
Bill’s Real Pit BBQ/Facebook
This family owned and operated barbecue joint features all you can eat specials and family size combos in addition to regular size dinners, sandwiches and baskets. Bill’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q is located at 5945 Frazeysberg Road Nashport, OH 43830.
The Boondocks BBQ & Grill/Facebook
This award-winning southeast Ohio barbecue joint features a diverse menu, from Louisiana Crab Cakes to slow cooked ribs and pulled pork. It is located at 4653 N State Route 60 NW, McConnelsville, OH 43756.
Route 62 BBQ/Facebook
You’ll find some of central Ohio’s best barbecue at Route 62 BBQ, where the meats are smoked to perfection. It’s located at 580 W Coshocton St,, Johnstown, OH 43031.
Kiser’s Barbecue on Court/Facebook
With two locations in the college town of Athens, this family owned and operated establishment features homemade family recipes and fresh, local ingredients. Kiser’s Barbeque is located at 1002 E State St. Athens, OH 45701 and 42 S Court St. Athens, OH 45701.
Bubba’s Q/Facebook
“Home of the Deboned Baby Back Ribs” and slow smoked, Ohio-grown apple wood meats, this award-winning barbecue joint is a beloved local favorite. (Pictured are their honey BBQ turkey wings.) Bubba’s Q is located at 820 Center Rd., Avon, OH 44011.
Belly Busters BBQ/Facebook
Belly Busters BBQ is “where the North meets the South.” In addition to specializing in traditional barbecue and soul food, this restaurant features exceptional burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. It is located at 1159 E Main St., Ashland, OH 44805.
7milessmokehouse.com
7 Miles Smokehouse/Facebook
With slow, southern cooked meats and sides made from scratch every day, this family owned and operated smokehouse serves up some exceptional barbecue. Pictured is “The Mad Dog” with pulled smoked chicken, beef brisket and pulled pork, topped with grilled onions, sauce and creamy signature cole slaw. Seven Miles Smokehouse is located at 285 E 7th St., Chillicothe, OH 45601.
Boathouse BBQ/Facebook
This family style barbecue joint along the Ohio River has received more than 12 awards for their exceptional ribs, wings and chili. Boathouse BBQ is located at 218 Virginia St., Marietta, OH 45750.
Dee’s BBQ/Facebook
This family owned and operated barbecue joint also operates as a mobile catering company, based in Maumee. Some local favorite dishes include their sliced brisket sandwich, slow smoked pulled pork and St. Louis style ribs. Dee’s BBQ is located at 1385 Conant St., Suite D, Maumee, OH 43537.
Kennedy’s Bar-B-Que/Facebook
For an exceptional pulled pork or ham sandwich, head over to Kennedy’s Bar-B-Que, located at 1420 7th St. NW, Canton, OH 44703.
Oak Hill Barbecue/Facebook
This small, casual joint features delicious, authentic wood fired barbecue. Oak Hill Barbecue is located at 60 N Columbus St, Sunbury, OH 43074.
Open Pitt Barbeque Carryout/Facebook
Since 1988 this local favorite barbecue joint has served up delicious soul food and mouthwatering chicken wings. It is located at 12335 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44108.
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