Maine might not be known for BBQ, but that doesn’t mean we don’t serve up a honkin’ plate of ribs! Right now, while lobster season is but a distant memory and while we’ve got all those layers to cover up the extra pounds, let’s go all out with Maine’s marvelous meat! Here are some of the state’s most beloved BBQ joints!
- The Shed BBQ, Rangeley
The Shed BBQ / Facebook
The Shed BBQ / Facebook The Shed is one of our favorite places in Maine! Nestled slightly out of the way in Rangeley, the service is good and the company even better. Try the pulled-pork sliders, which have been called “too good to be true.” Or, get crazy and order the ribs. Expect to leave VERY satisfied. Visit them at: 2647 Main Street, Rangeley / 207-864-2219
- Buck’s Naked BBQ and Steakhouse, Freeport
Buck’s Naked BBQ and Steakhouse / Facebook
Joanna R / Yelp While there are a few locations for Buck’s only the Freeport spot will give you access to the Juke Joint, where live music gets you boppin’ until the wee hours. The good news is that every location has some pretty great BBQ, so head to any of them for dinner! Visit them in Freeport at: 568 US Route 1, Freeport / 207-865-0600
- Riverfront Barbeque & Grille, Augusta
Michelle B / Yelp
Kristi M / Yelp Riverfront Barbeque is best known for their great southern BBQ, which includes Memphis dry rub ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket. But, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Especially given that all smokes meats come with pickles onion rings. Visit them at: 300 Water St, Augusta / 207-622-8899
- Smokin’ Good BBQ, Bethel
Denise A. / Yelp
Andy G. / Yelp Smack in the middle of Maine ski country, you’ll find Graceland - an ironically named blaze-orange trailer serving some of the best stick-to-your-bones BBQ this state has to offer. Order at the window and tuck into massive piles of meat, cooked slow and low in the on-site smoker. Try the North Carolina pulled pork plate, with two sides, cornbread and a pickle! Visit them at: 212 Mayville Rd, Orange Trailer, Bethel / 207-824-4744
- Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill, South Portland
Teresa C. / Yelp
Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill / Facebook Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill is known for authentic Texas-style BBQ. Customers come back for their state-of-the art smoker, which is lovingly nicknamed “Mama.” Elsmere uses only wood and handcrafted rubs to slow smoke their meats, which comes out in everything they serve. Visit them at: 448 Cottage Rs, South Portland / 207-619-1948
- Spring Creek Bar-B-Que, Monson
Sharon S. / Yelp
Kyle V. / Yelp Spring Creek is about as real as you can get this side of the Mason-Dixon line, serving up buckets - yes, buckets - of tender pork, beef and chicken. Hiking the AT and want to fill your belly with something other than trail mix? This is your place! Visit them at: 26 Greenville Rd, Monson / 207-997-7025
- Terlingua, Portland
Terlingua / Facebook
Tim B / Yelp This East End Portland BBQ spot is known for some amazing specials. From smoked ribs to brisket to pulled pork and chicken, everything is standout here! They tend to sell out, but if that happens you’ll still find plenty of other options on the menu. Visit them at: 52 Washington Ave, Portland / 207-808-8502
- Beale Street Barbeque, Bath
Jess R / Yelp
Beale Street Barbeque / Facebook The Boston Globe referred to their jalapeño cornbread as “the perfect companion to, well, everything” and we tend to agree. Come by for a bluesy atmosphere that can’t be beat! Visit them at: 215 Water St, Bath / 207-442-9514
- Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse, Portland
Justin J / Yelp
Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse / Facebook Salvage is awesome for parties and big groups, but if you’re just two people you’ll enjoy the large picnic-type tables as well. There are lots of beers on tap and the ambiance is like no other in the area! Visit them at: 919 Congress St, Portland / 207- 9553-2100
Does the thought of BBQ have you yearning for other hearty and filling meat options? Check out our favorite burger places in Maine by clicking here.
The Shed BBQ / Facebook
The Shed is one of our favorite places in Maine! Nestled slightly out of the way in Rangeley, the service is good and the company even better. Try the pulled-pork sliders, which have been called “too good to be true.” Or, get crazy and order the ribs. Expect to leave VERY satisfied. Visit them at: 2647 Main Street, Rangeley / 207-864-2219
Buck’s Naked BBQ and Steakhouse / Facebook
Joanna R / Yelp
While there are a few locations for Buck’s only the Freeport spot will give you access to the Juke Joint, where live music gets you boppin’ until the wee hours. The good news is that every location has some pretty great BBQ, so head to any of them for dinner! Visit them in Freeport at: 568 US Route 1, Freeport / 207-865-0600
Michelle B / Yelp
Kristi M / Yelp
Riverfront Barbeque is best known for their great southern BBQ, which includes Memphis dry rub ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket. But, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Especially given that all smokes meats come with pickles onion rings. Visit them at: 300 Water St, Augusta / 207-622-8899
Denise A. / Yelp
Andy G. / Yelp
Smack in the middle of Maine ski country, you’ll find Graceland - an ironically named blaze-orange trailer serving some of the best stick-to-your-bones BBQ this state has to offer. Order at the window and tuck into massive piles of meat, cooked slow and low in the on-site smoker. Try the North Carolina pulled pork plate, with two sides, cornbread and a pickle! Visit them at: 212 Mayville Rd, Orange Trailer, Bethel / 207-824-4744
Teresa C. / Yelp
Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill / Facebook
Elsmere BBQ and Wood Grill is known for authentic Texas-style BBQ. Customers come back for their state-of-the art smoker, which is lovingly nicknamed “Mama.” Elsmere uses only wood and handcrafted rubs to slow smoke their meats, which comes out in everything they serve. Visit them at: 448 Cottage Rs, South Portland / 207-619-1948
Sharon S. / Yelp
Kyle V. / Yelp
Spring Creek is about as real as you can get this side of the Mason-Dixon line, serving up buckets - yes, buckets - of tender pork, beef and chicken. Hiking the AT and want to fill your belly with something other than trail mix? This is your place! Visit them at: 26 Greenville Rd, Monson / 207-997-7025
Terlingua / Facebook
Tim B / Yelp
This East End Portland BBQ spot is known for some amazing specials. From smoked ribs to brisket to pulled pork and chicken, everything is standout here! They tend to sell out, but if that happens you’ll still find plenty of other options on the menu. Visit them at: 52 Washington Ave, Portland / 207-808-8502
Jess R / Yelp
Beale Street Barbeque / Facebook
The Boston Globe referred to their jalapeño cornbread as “the perfect companion to, well, everything” and we tend to agree. Come by for a bluesy atmosphere that can’t be beat! Visit them at: 215 Water St, Bath / 207-442-9514
Justin J / Yelp
Salvage BBQ & Smokehouse / Facebook
Salvage is awesome for parties and big groups, but if you’re just two people you’ll enjoy the large picnic-type tables as well. There are lots of beers on tap and the ambiance is like no other in the area! Visit them at: 919 Congress St, Portland / 207- 9553-2100
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