Do you enjoy pork ribs and pulled pork sandwiches? Smoked brisket, sausage, and turkey, perhaps? Or how about homemade mac ‘n cheese and coleslaw? Check out our List of top BBQ restaurants in Cincinnati.
If you’re agreeing, I’ve got some wonderful news for you: There are a lot of great places in Cincinnati where you can get all of these traditional BBQ favorites and more.
The Queen City has a lot to offer anyone who appreciates BBQ foods, from small-town establishments to large-scale chains and everything in between.
In this article, we rank the top 11 BBQ restaurants in Cincinnati.
Map of the Best BBQ Spots
The following map depicts the locations of all of the BBQ spots listed in this article:
11. Station Family + Barbecue
Station Family + BBQ is ranked number 11 on the list. Station, a community gathering site in the northern Cincinnati neighborhood of Wyoming, is noted for its Cincinnati sausage, pork bellies, brisket, and mac ‘n cheese. Come for the delectable food and stay for the welcoming atmosphere.
Address: 400 Wyoming Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45215
Website: Station Family + BBQ
10. Pig Candy BBQ
Pig Candy BBQ is a great place to go for BBQ and burgers. The waffles with pulled pork are outworldly and anything on the menu is just absolutely tasty. The staff is friendly and the service is swift. We highly recommend this restaurant!
Address: 5901 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati
Website: Pig Candy BBQ
Phone: 513-231-0378
9. Alabama Que
Alabama Que comes in at number nine. This restaurant, located on Short Vine Street near the University of Cincinnati campus, is a popular local hangout for classic southern comfort food. Whether you’re craving beef ribs, beef briskets, pulled pork, smoked chicken, or smoked turkey, Alabama Que has it all. Don’t miss out on the mac ‘n cheese and potato salad on the side.
Address: 2733 Short Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Website: Alabama Que
8. Midwest Best BBQ
Midwest Best BBQ is next on the list. This restaurant in Loveland features BBQ favorites such as pulled pork sandwiches, turkey breast sandwiches, mac ‘n cheese, green beans, potato salad, and much more. Their food is delicious and savory, the service is pleasant, and the ambiance is warm. This is without a doubt one of the top BBQ joints on the east side of Cincinnati.
Address: 669 Justice Ct, Loveland, OH 45140
Website: Midwest Best BBQ
7. Sweets and Meats BBQ
Sweets and Meats BBQ in Anderson is ranked number seven on our list. It’s no surprise that this restaurant has received multiple prizes at various citywide cuisine tasting competitions. Pulled pork sandwiches, smoked brisket, and green beans are among the delectable homemade classics on their menu. If you’re looking for top-notch BBQ in Queen City, this is the place to go.
Address: 2249 Beechmont Ave suite b, Cincinnati, OH 45230
Website: Sweets and Meats BBQ
6. Lucius Q
Lucius Q, located in Pendleton, just outside of Over-The-Rhine, is the next stop on our list of the greatest BBQ joints in Cincinnati. This spot offers amazing cuisine and a terrific ambiance, all bundled into one pleasurable experience, with classic dishes like pulled pork sandwiches and mac ‘n cheese in a big setting with indoor and outdoor dining. They usually have live music on weekends, which makes this a great place to have some BBQ while listening to some local performers.
Address: 1131 Broadway St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: Lucius Q
5. Just Q’in Barbecue Restaurant
Just Q’in Barbecue Restaurant in Walnut Hills is ranked fifth on our list. Their meats, which are slow-cooked daily using cherry and sugar maple wood, have next-level flavor, and their main dishes and sides are no exception. This restaurant also has a unique, welcoming interior where you can enjoy your meals, and the service is always courteous and prompt. Just Q’in has a lot to recommend it.
Address: 975 E McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH 45206
Website: Just Q’in
4. Pontiac BBQ
The next stop is Pontiac BBQ, which is located in the Over-The-Rhine area. It’s easy to see why there’s usually a queue out the door at this restaurant, known for its uniquely decorated atmosphere, good service, and delectable menu choices. The brisket gyro, smoked turkey, pulled pork sandwiches, and smoked kielbasa are among our personal favorites on the menu at Pontiac, but you truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Address: 1403 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: Pontiac BBQ
3. Pickles and Bones Barbecue
Pickles and Bones Barbecue in Milford is ranked third. If you ask any local about this place, they will almost likely sing its praises. Their service is superb, their meats are savory, and the sides are delectable, and you’ll most likely become a regular client after only one visit. This is a place worth paying a visit to.
Address: 1149 OH-131, Milford, OH 45150
Website: Pickles and Bones
2. Velvet Smoke BBQ
Velvet Smoke BBQ, which has locations in Harrison and White Oak, is the runner-up in our selection for the finest BBQ establishment in Cincinnati. Velvet Smoke is known for competing in prestigious BBQ competitions such as the American Royal Invitation and the Jack Daniels World Championship, and in 2015 in Cincinnati, they won the grand championship at the Grill Before the Big Chill. It’s easy to understand why they won, too: their menu is chock-full of delectable BBQ traditional meals and delectable sides. It’s well worth your time to go to one of their restaurants on the city’s west side.
Address: 10515 New Haven Rd, Harrison, OH 45030 / 5626 Cheviot Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45247
Website: Velvet Smoke BBQ
1. Eli’s BBQ
Locals will not be surprised by the number one slot on our list: Eli’s BBQ. Eli’s, located in the Columbia-Tusculum district, is Cincinnati’s most well-known barbecue restaurant, and for a good reason. Pulled pork sandwiches, green beans, mac ‘n cheese, and various other southern comfort foods may be found on their menu. Their personnel are nice, the environment is appealing, and they have indoor and outdoor seating, which is ideal for enjoying some delectable cuisine on a warm day.
Address: 3313 Riverside Dr, Cincinnati, OH 4522
Website: Eli’s BBQ
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