Sink Your Teeth into St. Louis Barbecue Monday April 21, 2025 Share Dining By Rachel Huffman Nothing beats saucy barbecue on a sunny day. While St. Louis-style ribs dominate the local barbecue scene, you can also feast on juicy pulled pork, grass-fed beef brisket, crunchy burnt ends, iconic pork steaks and more at area restaurants. St. Louis-style barbecue often means grilled and sauced, but the Gateway City boasts dry-rubbed and slow-smoked meats, as well – plus, tantalizing sides such as pit beans with smoked bacon, sweet pepper potato salad, creamed corn and fire-and-ice pickles to round out your meal. Photo courtesy of Dalie’s Smokehouse Whichever way you choose to satisfy your cookout cravings, make sure you add at least one of these places to your itinerary. We can’t think of anywhere better to sink our teeth into St. Louis barbecue. Adam’s Rib Smokehouse Driven by an uncompromising commitment to service, Adam’s Rib Smokehouse dishes out Santa Maria-style barbecue in a fast-casual setting. The family-led team slowly smokes pork ribs, tri-tip, turkey breast and other top-quality meats over hardwoods – think hickory, mesquite and red oak – pairing them with $5 sides such as pinquito beans, hush puppies and pea salad. Bogart’s Smokehouse For the love of barbecue, Bogart’s Smokehouse puts its own spin on America’s favorite food. Located in Soulard, one of the oldest and most charming neighborhoods in St. Louis, the barbecue joint specializes in apricot-brûléed ribs, smoky beef brisket and melt-in-the-mouth pastrami. Insider tip: Before you leave the neighborhood, stop by Soulard Farmers Market where some of the region’s most impressive makers peddle their products, from outstanding barbecue sauce to fragrant handmade soap and expertly crafted hummus to attractive St. Louis apparel. Bootleggin’ BBQ Do you love any and all barbecue? Bootleggin’ BBQ serves Kansas City-style barbecue in St. Louis. The smoky goodness – think brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork and chicken – comes with a thick, sweet sauce made with tomatoes, brown sugar and molasses. Dalie’s Smokehouse Dalie’s Smokehouse brings some of the best barbecue to West County. Don’t miss the weekly specials, including brisket chili, pork steak plates and seasonal desserts – peach cobbler, anyone? The casual restaurant also offers twists on traditional St. Louis barbecue such as barbecue nachos, a smoked ham-and-cheese sandwich and a smoked jackfruit sandwich for the vegans among us. Insider tip: Complement your meal at Dalie’s Smokehouse with a visit to the National Museum of Transportation, which has one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the world. Salt + Smoke | Photo by Mark Hermes Gobble Stop Smokehouse Bird is the word at Gobble Stop Smokehouse in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Chef and co-owner DeMarco Howard opened the barbecue joint in 2012, emboldened by his family’s secret recipe for juicy, smoky turkey tips – which are a huge hit with locals on Thanksgiving! Bulk up your order with smoked wings, glazed cauliflower and fried green beans. Insider tip: Get your order to go, and enjoy lunch with a view at the nearby Creve Coeur Lake. Hendricks BBQ The dishes at Hendricks BBQ have a certain flair. While you can dig into barbecue platters featuring your choice of meats and fixin’s – think baby back ribs, collard greens, smoked turkey and Cheddar grits – you might also want to consider something between bread. The BLGT boasts fried green tomatoes, smoked bacon, lettuce, your choice of cheese and a mustard-based sauce, and the Smothered Sausage Hoagie features a sausage link smothered in caramelized onions, peppers and cheese, both of which are crowd-pleasers. Pappy’s Smokehouse Kicking off the modern boom of St. Louis barbecue, Pappy’s Smokehouse has been named Best Ribs in America by the Food Network and Best BBQ in Missouri by Southern Living. Prepared fresh daily, the Memphis-style barbecue ranges from full slabs of dry-rubbed, slow-smoked ribs to heaping platters of pulled pork, turkey breast and beef brisket. The great food and good vibes at this Midtown smokehouse will have you coming back for seconds. Salt + Smoke At Salt + Smoke, barbecue is a labor of love. Dig into plates of St. Louis-style barbecue – pulled pork, brisket, rib tips, smoked wings, fried jalapeño-Cheddar bologna and more – all of which come with a bacon-Cheddar popover and two sides. The White Cheddar Cracker Mac, Beef Fat Fries and BBQ Sweet Potato Chips are downright delicious, but make sure to save room for pie. Apple, pecan, chocolate…it’s all good! Insider tip: Want St. Louis barbecue at home? Salt + Smoke will ship everything from whole pork butts to St. Louis-cut ribs and pimento cheese to housemade sauce to your doorstep. Photo courtesy of Sugarfire Smoke House Sugarfire Smoke House The chef-driven ’cue at Sugarfire Smoke House plucks the best traditions out of U.S. cities to create St. Louis-style barbecue that’s all its own. Alongside the classics, you’ll find spicy andouille, smoked portabella, fried artichokes and cheese curds. The award-winning restaurant is also famous for its meaty mashups that defy logic – and gravity. Insider tip: If you’re in town for an event at America’s Center Convention Complex, Sugarfire Smoke House on Washington Avenue is a no-brainer for break time. Super Smokers The slow-smoked, fall-off-the-bone, finger-licking-good barbecue at Super Smokers is utterly irresistible, and you’ll want to sop up every drop – preferably, with Texas toast. This is another place where you can try pork steak, which pairs perfectly with sides such as sweet jalapeño cornbread, barbecue beans, sweet and sour slaw and applesauce. If you’re looking for something slightly different, try the housemade mac ‘n’ cheese topped with burnt ends or the barbecue burger featuring a juicy, medium-well patty piled high with white Cheddar, pulled pork and sweet sauce. The Shaved Duck Want to visit Guy Fieri’s favorite restaurant in Missouri? Grab a table at The Shaved Duck! Featured on an episode of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the restaurant is a proud member of the barbecue scene in St. Louis. If you’re craving something less obvious but equally smoky, try the duck chili, brisket burger or root beer-glazed meatloaf. Insider tip: The Shaved Duck offers a rotating selection of local craft beer, but if you’re in the mood for an after-dinner cocktail, slip into New Society, a culinary-inspired speakeasy at 3194 S. Grand Blvd. The Stellar Hog Chef Alex Cupp delivers an out-of-this-world barbecue experience at The Stellar Hog, which has two locations in the St. Louis area. Claiming the best brisket in the galaxy, the classic restaurant also serves universal favorites such as cheesy pulled pork fries, fried corn ribs and smoky Reubens. Share
