Missourians take Barbecue seriously, which is why there was no way I was going to try to rank the best spots. Instead, I tried to find a good sample of BBQ restaurants throughout the state. All of those listed below received a high ranking on Yelp. These are not in any particular order and this is by no means an all-inclusive list. So just consider this a sample, and maybe a “part one.”
- Charlotte’s Rib Barbecue, Ballwin
Facebook/ Charlotte’s Rib Barbecue
Yelp This award-winning long time family-owned restaurant is located at 15467 Clayton Road in Ballwin, and has been in the St. Louis area since 1977. You can find out more information and hours of operation at Charlotte’s Rib Barbecue.
- Salt + Smoke, BBQ Bourbon and Beer, University City, St. Louis
Facebook/ Salt and Smoke
Facebook/ Salt and Smoke This Texas Style BBQ restaurant, located in the Delmar Loop in St. Louis, claims they “are passionate about treating meat.” Find them at 6525 Delmar Boulevard or visit their website at Salt + Smoke.
- Dexter Bar-B-Que, Cape Girardeau
Facebook/ Dexter Bar-B-Que
Facebook/ Dexter Bar-B-Que After 37 years in business, Dexter knows barbecue. With 6 locations including their Cape Girardeau restaurant, they claim you will have “the best tastin’, lip smackin’, hickory-smoked bar-b-que you will ever eat!” Visit their website at Dexter Bar-B-Que for other locations, hours and menu information.
- Lutz’s Famous BBQ, Columbia
Facebook/ Lutz’s BBQ
Facebook/ Lutz’s BBQ Besides the Jefferson City restaurant, located at 3505 Missouri Boulevard, they also have one in Columbia at 200 E Nifong. Proud to be family owned and operated, Lutz’s also has family specials. Visit their website at Lutz’s BBQ for more information and hours of operation.
- Big R’s Bar-B-Q, Joplin
Facebook/ Big R’s BBQ
Facebook/ Big R’s BBQ What started as a food truck turned into a family tradition. Currently located at 1220 East 15th in Joplin, they claim to “have the meat you can’t beat.” Find out more at Big R’s BBQ.
- Plowboys BBQ, Blue Springs
Facebook/ Plowboys BBQ
Facebook/ Plowboys BBQ Plowboys has two locations. One is at 3111 SW Missouri 17 in Blue Springs, and the other is at 1111 Main Street, suite 115 in Kansas City. For more information and hours of operation visit Plowboys Barbecue.
- Lil’ Mickey’s Memphis Barbeque, St. Peters
Facebook/ Lil’ Mickey Memphis Barbeque
Facebook/ Lil’ Mickey Memphis Barbeque Charles and Robbie Butler are the husband and wife team who started and own Lil’ Mickeys; they use a special recipe created by Charles in 1988. Located at 1020 Cave Springs Boulevard. Find out more at Lil’ Mickey’s Memphis Barbeque.
- Sugarfire Smokehouse, St. Charles
Facebook/ Sugarfire Smokehouse St. Charles
Facebook/ Sugarfire Smokehouse St. Charles With three locations and more coming soon, Sugarfire’s award-winning barbeque was voted Reader’s Choice for Best BBQ in St. Louis online magazine STLmag. The St. Charles location is at 3150 Elm Point Industrial Drive. For other locations, hours, and menu information visit Sugarfire Smokehouse.
- Filling Station BBQ, Lee’s Summit
Facebook/ Filling Station BBQ
Yelp Located in historic downtown Lee’s Summit at 333 SE Douglas Street, this family owned business now has delivery within a 5-mile radius of the restaurant. For hours of operation, menu and more visit The Filling Station BBQ.
- Shotgun Pete’s BBQ Shack, Columbia
Facebook/ Shotgun Pete’s BBQ Shack
Facebook/ Shotgun Pete’s BBQ Sha Their website claims they were voted best BBQ in Mid-Missouri, and based on the pictures, it’s at least worth a try. They are located at 28 N. Ninth Street. Visit their website at Shotgun Pete’s BBQ Shack.
- Bogart’s Smokehouse, St. Louis
Facebook/ Bogart’s Smokehouse
Facebook/ Bogart’s Smokehouse Bogarts slow cooks with apple and cherry wood for up to 24 hours. They are located at 1627 S. 9th Street in St. Louis. For more information, hours and menu visit Bogart’s Smokehouse.
- Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Kansas City
Facebook/ Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Facebook/ Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que Correction: All of Joe’s locations are on the Kansas side of Kansas City. Hop over and try the anyway. Sorry for the mistake.
Located at 3002 W. 4th Avenue, and also with stores in Olathe and Leawood, according to their Facebook page, Joe’s was voted Best Southern BBQ by readers of USA Today. Go to Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que for more information and hours of operation.
- Deke’s BBQ, Kansas City
Facebook/ Deke’s Bar B Que and catering
Facebook/ Deke’s Bar B Que and catering Deke’s website says they are the “BEST BBQ in Kansas City”, but maybe you want to form your own opinion and visit yourself. You can find them at 5200 Raytown Road in Kansas City. For menu, reviews, and hours of operation visit Deke’s Bar B Que.
- Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Gladstone
Facebook/ Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Facebook/ Smokehouse Bar-B-Que Besides the location at 6304 North Oak in Gladstone, Smokehouse also has locations in Kansas City, Columbia, and Independence. This family-owned restaurant has been in business since 1987. Visit their website at Smokehouse Bar-B-Que for more information.
- Little Pig BBQ, Belton
Facebook/ Little Pig BBQ
Facebook/ Little Pig BBQ Little Pig is located in Belton’s historic district at 103 S. Scott Avenue and was established in 2010. They serve pit master style barbecue. Visit Little Pig BBQ for hours and information.
- Kehde’s Barbeque, Sedalia
Facebook/ Kehde’s Barbeque
Facebook/ Kehde’s Barbeque “Three Generations Committed to Excellence.” Located at 1915 S. Limit Avenue in a 1920’ train car, Kehde’s has mastered the art of barbecue. Visit their website at Kehde’s Barbeque and Catering for hours and information.
- Big Muddy B-B-Q, Hannibal
Facebook/ Big Muddy BBQ
Facebook/ Big Muddy BBQ Big Muddy is located at 401 Broadway in Hannibal. Their website is located here, but was offline at the time of this writing. For information you can also visit their Facebook page at Big Muddy BBQ.
- City Butcher and Barbecue, Springfield
Facebook/ City Butcher
Facebook/ City Butcher Serving Texas-style barbecue, City Butcher’s dedication to freshness along with a reputation for great food causes them to sell out often, so get there early. They are located at 3650 S. Campbell. For hours of operation and other information visit their website at City Butcher.
- Sawmill BBQ, Joplin
Facebook/ Sawmill BBQ
Facebook/ Sawmill BBQ “Locally owned with ‘local flavors’”, Sawmill is located at 612 S. Main Street in Joplin. Visit Sawmill BBQ for hours of operation, menu and more.
- Arthur Bryant’s, Kansas City
http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/
http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/ This renowned barbecue spot was founded in the 1920’s and has two locations; the original on 1727 Brooklyn Avenue, and another location at 1702 Village West Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas. For more information visit their website at Arthur Bryant’s.
- Pappy’s Smokehouse, St. Louis
Facebook/ Pappy’s Smokehouse
Facebook/ Pappy’s Smokehouse This National known restaurant was named one of “101 Best Places to Chow Down in America” by the Travel Channel. Located at 3106 Olive Street in St. Louis. You can find out more at Pappy’s Smokehouse.
Were there any listed you hadn’t heard of before? I know there will be A LOT that were left off which are probably awesome, too. Missouri barbecue is amazing! Share your favorites (listed or not listed) in the comments below.
Facebook/ Charlotte’s Rib Barbecue
Yelp
This award-winning long time family-owned restaurant is located at 15467 Clayton Road in Ballwin, and has been in the St. Louis area since 1977. You can find out more information and hours of operation at Charlotte’s Rib Barbecue.
Facebook/ Salt and Smoke
This Texas Style BBQ restaurant, located in the Delmar Loop in St. Louis, claims they “are passionate about treating meat.” Find them at 6525 Delmar Boulevard or visit their website at Salt + Smoke.
Facebook/ Dexter Bar-B-Que
After 37 years in business, Dexter knows barbecue. With 6 locations including their Cape Girardeau restaurant, they claim you will have “the best tastin’, lip smackin’, hickory-smoked bar-b-que you will ever eat!” Visit their website at Dexter Bar-B-Que for other locations, hours and menu information.
Facebook/ Lutz’s BBQ
Besides the Jefferson City restaurant, located at 3505 Missouri Boulevard, they also have one in Columbia at 200 E Nifong. Proud to be family owned and operated, Lutz’s also has family specials. Visit their website at Lutz’s BBQ for more information and hours of operation.
Facebook/ Big R’s BBQ
What started as a food truck turned into a family tradition. Currently located at 1220 East 15th in Joplin, they claim to “have the meat you can’t beat.” Find out more at Big R’s BBQ.
Facebook/ Plowboys BBQ
Plowboys has two locations. One is at 3111 SW Missouri 17 in Blue Springs, and the other is at 1111 Main Street, suite 115 in Kansas City. For more information and hours of operation visit Plowboys Barbecue.
Facebook/ Lil’ Mickey Memphis Barbeque
Charles and Robbie Butler are the husband and wife team who started and own Lil’ Mickeys; they use a special recipe created by Charles in 1988. Located at 1020 Cave Springs Boulevard. Find out more at Lil’ Mickey’s Memphis Barbeque.
Facebook/ Sugarfire Smokehouse St. Charles
With three locations and more coming soon, Sugarfire’s award-winning barbeque was voted Reader’s Choice for Best BBQ in St. Louis online magazine STLmag. The St. Charles location is at 3150 Elm Point Industrial Drive. For other locations, hours, and menu information visit Sugarfire Smokehouse.
Facebook/ Filling Station BBQ
Located in historic downtown Lee’s Summit at 333 SE Douglas Street, this family owned business now has delivery within a 5-mile radius of the restaurant. For hours of operation, menu and more visit The Filling Station BBQ.
Facebook/ Shotgun Pete’s BBQ Shack
Facebook/ Shotgun Pete’s BBQ Sha
Their website claims they were voted best BBQ in Mid-Missouri, and based on the pictures, it’s at least worth a try. They are located at 28 N. Ninth Street. Visit their website at Shotgun Pete’s BBQ Shack.
Facebook/ Bogart’s Smokehouse
Bogarts slow cooks with apple and cherry wood for up to 24 hours. They are located at 1627 S. 9th Street in St. Louis. For more information, hours and menu visit Bogart’s Smokehouse.
Facebook/ Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Correction: All of Joe’s locations are on the Kansas side of Kansas City. Hop over and try the anyway. Sorry for the mistake.
Located at 3002 W. 4th Avenue, and also with stores in Olathe and Leawood, according to their Facebook page, Joe’s was voted Best Southern BBQ by readers of USA Today. Go to Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que for more information and hours of operation.
Facebook/ Deke’s Bar B Que and catering
Deke’s website says they are the “BEST BBQ in Kansas City”, but maybe you want to form your own opinion and visit yourself. You can find them at 5200 Raytown Road in Kansas City. For menu, reviews, and hours of operation visit Deke’s Bar B Que.
Facebook/ Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Besides the location at 6304 North Oak in Gladstone, Smokehouse also has locations in Kansas City, Columbia, and Independence. This family-owned restaurant has been in business since 1987. Visit their website at Smokehouse Bar-B-Que for more information.
Facebook/ Little Pig BBQ
Little Pig is located in Belton’s historic district at 103 S. Scott Avenue and was established in 2010. They serve pit master style barbecue. Visit Little Pig BBQ for hours and information.
Facebook/ Kehde’s Barbeque
“Three Generations Committed to Excellence.” Located at 1915 S. Limit Avenue in a 1920’ train car, Kehde’s has mastered the art of barbecue. Visit their website at Kehde’s Barbeque and Catering for hours and information.
Facebook/ Big Muddy BBQ
Big Muddy is located at 401 Broadway in Hannibal. Their website is located here, but was offline at the time of this writing. For information you can also visit their Facebook page at Big Muddy BBQ.
Facebook/ City Butcher
Serving Texas-style barbecue, City Butcher’s dedication to freshness along with a reputation for great food causes them to sell out often, so get there early. They are located at 3650 S. Campbell. For hours of operation and other information visit their website at City Butcher.
Facebook/ Sawmill BBQ
“Locally owned with ‘local flavors’”, Sawmill is located at 612 S. Main Street in Joplin. Visit Sawmill BBQ for hours of operation, menu and more.
http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/
This renowned barbecue spot was founded in the 1920’s and has two locations; the original on 1727 Brooklyn Avenue, and another location at 1702 Village West Parkway in Kansas City, Kansas. For more information visit their website at Arthur Bryant’s.
Facebook/ Pappy’s Smokehouse
This National known restaurant was named one of “101 Best Places to Chow Down in America” by the Travel Channel. Located at 3106 Olive Street in St. Louis. You can find out more at Pappy’s Smokehouse.
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