Good BBQ outside of the deep south can be hard to find. But with Seattle being such a foodie mecca, we’re lucky enough to have a few spots to satisfy a craving for grilled meat smothered in sauce. The next time you’ve got barbecued food on the brain, give one of these nine restaurants a try.
- Kickin’ Boot Whiskey Kitchen
Brad R. / Yelp
Jennifer S. / Yelp This Ballard BBQ joint is known for their smoked brisket and authentic southern side dishes (the cornbread is awesome). They’re also known for their delicious whiskey cocktails to wash those dinners down.
- Pecos Pit
Tres B. / Yelp
Rohit K. / Yelp After watching their patrons endure long lunch lines at their SoDo locations, Pecos Pit has opened a second restaurant in West Seattle. The meat is delicious, but definitely save room for some sides.
- Bitterroot BBQ
Daniel B. / Yelp
Grant T. / Yelp This is one of Ballard’s best known BBQ joints. It’s owned by a couple from Montana who met in college, so there’s a nice Northwest spin on the entrees served there. Side note: Bitterroot is thought by many Seattleites to serve the best bloody mary in the city.
- Drunky’s Two Shoe BBQ
Anthony F. / Yelp
Frank B. / Yelp Located in between Ballard and Fremont, Drunky’s definitely wins the award for best-named restaurant on this list. Some favorite dishes include the hot links and brined-for-days half chicken… and if you’re feeling bold, do yourself the favor of trying some smoked bone marrow. It’s called “God’s butter” on the menu for a reason.
- The Boar’s Nest
Alfredo S. / Yelp
ClArk T. / Yelp It’s the sauces at this Ballard haunt that make the Texas-inspired menu so amazing. But that doesn’t mean the sauces mask the flavor of the freshly smoked meat—they only enhance it.
- Jack’s BBQ
Ken L. / Yelp
Tony L. / Yelp Located in south Seattle on Airport Way, Jack’s was voted Best BBQ in Seattle in 2015 and 2016 by Seattle Weekly. Try their buttermilk hush puppies and their brisket and see if you agree.
- Bourbon & Bones
Jacque C. / Yelp
Ellie E / Yelp Yum! This Fremont-based BBQ joint was founded by a North Carolina native who brought his personal fried chicken recipe with him when he moved to the Pacific Northwest. Try the slow-smoked pork shoulder and house-made andouille sausage, and don’t forget to wash it down with some whiskey.
- Cask & Trotter
Cask & Trotter
Michelle U. / Yelp Cask & Trotter’s delicious BBQ is served in a cozy but somewhat upscale setting at their South Lake Union location. They serve a whopping 11 different kinds of sliders and an amazing selection of smoked meats.
- Brileys BBQ & Grill
Jabba T. / Yelp
Marie B. / Yelp Did we save the best for last? Maybe. You’ll have to head north to Lake Forest Park to enjoy this casual roadside eatery, but rest assured, it will be worth it. The menu offers Louisiana BBQ with a mouthwatering selection of sides, like gumbo and hushpuppies.
Seattle’s BBQ scene is surprisingly delicious, given its northern location. One other thing our city gets right is definitely pizza.
Brad R. / Yelp
Jennifer S. / Yelp
This Ballard BBQ joint is known for their smoked brisket and authentic southern side dishes (the cornbread is awesome). They’re also known for their delicious whiskey cocktails to wash those dinners down.
Tres B. / Yelp
Rohit K. / Yelp
After watching their patrons endure long lunch lines at their SoDo locations, Pecos Pit has opened a second restaurant in West Seattle. The meat is delicious, but definitely save room for some sides.
Daniel B. / Yelp
Grant T. / Yelp
This is one of Ballard’s best known BBQ joints. It’s owned by a couple from Montana who met in college, so there’s a nice Northwest spin on the entrees served there. Side note: Bitterroot is thought by many Seattleites to serve the best bloody mary in the city.
Anthony F. / Yelp
Frank B. / Yelp
Located in between Ballard and Fremont, Drunky’s definitely wins the award for best-named restaurant on this list. Some favorite dishes include the hot links and brined-for-days half chicken… and if you’re feeling bold, do yourself the favor of trying some smoked bone marrow. It’s called “God’s butter” on the menu for a reason.
Alfredo S. / Yelp
ClArk T. / Yelp
It’s the sauces at this Ballard haunt that make the Texas-inspired menu so amazing. But that doesn’t mean the sauces mask the flavor of the freshly smoked meat—they only enhance it.
Ken L. / Yelp
Tony L. / Yelp
Located in south Seattle on Airport Way, Jack’s was voted Best BBQ in Seattle in 2015 and 2016 by Seattle Weekly. Try their buttermilk hush puppies and their brisket and see if you agree.
Jacque C. / Yelp
Ellie E / Yelp
Yum! This Fremont-based BBQ joint was founded by a North Carolina native who brought his personal fried chicken recipe with him when he moved to the Pacific Northwest. Try the slow-smoked pork shoulder and house-made andouille sausage, and don’t forget to wash it down with some whiskey.
Cask & Trotter
Michelle U. / Yelp
Cask & Trotter’s delicious BBQ is served in a cozy but somewhat upscale setting at their South Lake Union location. They serve a whopping 11 different kinds of sliders and an amazing selection of smoked meats.
Jabba T. / Yelp
Marie B. / Yelp
Did we save the best for last? Maybe. You’ll have to head north to Lake Forest Park to enjoy this casual roadside eatery, but rest assured, it will be worth it. The menu offers Louisiana BBQ with a mouthwatering selection of sides, like gumbo and hushpuppies.
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