When compared to other cities in the South like Austin or Memphis, it’s difficult to see Philadelphia as a barbecue town. But that should not stop you from enjoying delicious portions of smoked meat or pulled pork. The city’s BBQ scene is growing rapidly with an influx of favorite barbecue spots coming up to give locals a wide variety of choices when it comes to the glorious world of smoked meat. The fact that these spots are not just focused on a single style allows them to put their own spin on the classics.
From neighborhood favorite ribs to new school meat smokers, here are the best BBQ joints in Philadelphia.
If you love the taste of delicious BBQ and you want to enjoy it with friends and family, it can be quite expensive especially in a city like Philly. But it’s now possible to enjoy a BBQ meal with anyone you want with the help of GiftYa’s virtual gift card. These cards can be applied to several different restaurants in Philly, including the ones on this list. Once you get your gift card, go ahead and try out the best BBQ restaurants in Philadelphia.
7500 State Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19136 sweetlucys.com
Rustic barbecue spot offering hickory-smoked ribs, and other classics!
Looking for authentic hickory-smoked barbecue? Why not head down to Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse? Here you will find everything from the pink ring, the pit, the hickory smoke to every style of BBQ you can think of.
Their wood-burned pit gets a lot of attention, especially on Mondays. For the rest of the week, you can choose from barbecue classics such as pulled pork, turkey breast, chicken, smokehouse chili, and grits. They also make the best mac and cheese you’ll ever have, and their ribs and collars are always made to perfection.
Still on the menu, you will also find delicious sandwiches served with a choice of two sides, round or Italian roll, tasty homemade sides made with fresh, all-natural ingredients, and super combo platters. Swing by on Friday and order the day special that includes a hickory-smoked salmon platter with a choice of three sides.
1208 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 1912 fettesauphilly.com
Try out in-house smoked dry-rubbed meat and other smoked BBQ favorites in an industrial-rustic dig filled with picnic tables!
We know you’re eager to try some delicious smoked BBQ, so why not head down to Fette Sau (German for fat pig)? The Fishtown barbecue staple goes an extra mile to create authentic high-quality meats, dry-rubbed and smoked on-premises. The spot has three signature BBQ sauces each offering its own tangy, smoky, or tasty flavor to the pink-ringed smoked meat and sandwiches.
When it comes to smoked meat, there are different options including brisket, smoked chicken, boneless beef short rib, Martin’s spicy sausage, and beef jerky. Special packages are also available including the fat cow (all-beef), family BBQ dinner that included beef and pork, and pigs in clover.
It’s a great spot to go with a big group when you want to relax and settle in for an evening of rowdy drinking and lots of smoked meats.
11000 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19116 mission-bbq.com
Laidback spot serving delicious barbecue classic and American sides in a cool setting!
Are you heading to Philly soon? If you’re hankering for some savory BBQ food, we think you should try Mission BBQ. This powerhouse is popular for its homemade, mouth-watering signatures such as chicken, fall off the bone back ribs, moist and mild salmon, pulled pork, chopped brisket, sausages, and more.
Apart from BBQ options, Mission BBQ also sells party packs for big groups with an option to choose two or three meats, three sides, bakery options such as slider rolls, buns, cornbread, etc., and your favorite sauce. Each course comes with at least two sides, so you’ll have lots of food to eat and even have some for leftovers later.
If you don’t have time to travel all the way to the restaurant, you can have your order packed and delivered to you. Make sure you choose a protein or sandwich, customized with your favorite sides. You can also add a sweet and drink of your choice to accompany your main meal.
1703 S 11th St, Philadelphia, PA 19148 mikesbbqphilly.com
Come try a lunch diner that serves authentic BBQ and savory sides in simple digs!
Mike’s BBQ is known for serving Texas-style briskets that are smoked for at least nine hours. Mike’s has been serving his unique style of BBQ to friends and family for years. Get here early or reserve your spot online because the brisket, ribs, and wings are known to sell out quickly.
On the menu, you’ll find favorites such as prime brisket, sweet and spicy rubbed pulled pork, full spare ribs, chicken wings, and homemade sausages. The brisket cheesesteak sandwich is also a delicious pick with savory sides such as Carolina slaw, smoked gouda mac n cheese, cornbread, and collard greens in smoked chicken.
At Mikes, there are so many options for food and even cocktails, which will keep you coming back for more. Stop by this BBQ powerhouse today for some delicious smoked meat and other favorites.
2111 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125 zigzagbbq.com
Smoked beef brisket, pulled pork, and more await you at this popular BBQ shop!
Master chef and co-owner Matt Lang was very passionate about fine dining and Texas-style BBQ expertise so he decided to open up a BBQ shop called Zig Zag BBQ. The menu features a great deal of brisket, but there’s much more to love. Think this is the ideal joint for you? Why don’t you hear what’s on the menu?
Zig Zag does a BBA style uniquely. The menu features smoked meats such as pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and a turkey teaser. All these are paired with innovative sides such as tahini slaw with Aleppo pepper, sumac, and queso mac topped with Hot Cheetos. They are also known for their loaded merzbacher’s potato bun an extra dish apart from their smoked meats. You will also find many different desserts choose from including salted and smoked pecan brownies and smoked banana pudding. Stop by the Zig Zag BBQ today and order some delicious BBQ on what’s fresh on the menu.
3402 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 babybluesbbq.com
Upscale barbecue spot known for pulled ribs and other meat-centric fares!
Want to try some family-style BBQ for brunch and dinner? Then Baby Blues BBQ is the place to be. Their Southern-inspired barbecue has earned the spot a good reputation for true-to-their roots authenticity for serving only the best.
Their hybrid-style barbecue is inspired by family recipes from some of the top BBQ regions. Every ingredient is carefully selected to ensure guests get the best of the restaurant’s BBQ experience.
Some of the house specialties include the delicious butcher’s block that features a generous amount of back ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken, brisket, and a choice of any four fixins. There are also delicious sandwiches wrapped with pulled pork, brisket, and more.
If you still have some space, be sure to try the Texas-style brisket as well as their house-made mac and cheese crafted with their own unique blend of cheese from fresh ingredients.
5617 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131 dibbsbbq.com
Casual BBQ joint that offers an appetizing selection of platters and other classics!
Do you want to indulge in some delicious smoked meat? If this sounds like you, there’s no better place to be than Dibbs BBQ along Lancaster avenue. This classic neighborhood joint serves plenty of platters, sandwiches, and meat by the pound. Each platter is served with two sides and a choice of homemade cornbread or Texas-style bread. When you order a sandwich make sure it includes a sauce and small fixin’ of coleslaw or baked beans. And you can choose either pork ribs, BBQ chicken, beef brisket, beef ribs, pulled pork on a roll, or beef sausage on a roll.
They also have lots of different delicious sides such as potato salad, string beans, collard greens, coleslaw, candy yams, corn on the cob, and more. Dibb’s make their food from scratch so you can be assured you will completely be satisfied with the fresh ingredient and enjoy any dish on the menu. With all these savory dishes, we know you’re craving to come to Dibb’s, so make sure to stop by today!
We know your mouth is watering just thinking about all this BBQ in one city. And there is no doubt there are plenty of unique spots to grab delicious smoked meat or pulled pork in Philly. This list will help you narrow down to the best. Which BBQ restaurant do you plan on visiting next? Let us know in the comments!
