Who doesn’t love good barbecue? Whether on the boardwalk, at the park, or in the backyard, life is better with BBQ. But New Jersey is also home to dozens of top notch, sit -down Barbecue Restaurants. That’s why we’re curating a list of The Best BBQ Restaurants in New Jersey.
The spots on our list offer a range of Memphis style, Texas style, St. Louis style, and other classic BBQ. There’s even a gourmet BBQ restaurant, as well as one that is NJ’s only drive-thru barbecue restaurant. In short, we have something for everyone, no matter the preferred style of BBQ.
Quick Click Guide: Select an NJ Region below to find The Best BBQ Restaurants near you:
| North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |
North Jersey
Brothers Smokehouse BBQ & Soul
Where: Ramsey
Details: The Farella brothers use family recipes handed down over the generations at this Southern-style BBQ joint. They slow-cook all meats daily using a special blend of woods and house seasonings. Smoked sausage, ribs, and brisket are all favorites, as is their unique Beaufort Shrimp dish; grilled gulf shrimp with house rub, glazed with BBQ sauce in a horseradish cream sauce. Brothers also has live acoustic, Jazz, and Big Band music three days a week.
Cubby’s BBQ
Where: Hackensack
Details: This Hackensack institution has been serving up BBQ in a family-friendly cafeteria-style setting for 34 years. While the restaurant’s décor may appear basic, the flavors and menu are not. Cubby’s Famous Ribs are the main attraction here, with meat so tender it just falls off the bone. Smoked pork, chicken, and beef sandwiches round out the BBQ menu alongside burgers, hot dogs, wings, and black Angus steak. Cubby’s also offers catering.
Daddy Matty’s BBQ
Where: Madison
Details: This nut-free restaurant with a Southwestern twist offers all kinds of BBQ. The menu features dry-rubbed beef brisket, pulled pork or chicken, sausage sandwiches, baby-back ribs, and a combo platter. Other made-from-scratch options include Texas-style brisket chili, tacos, pulled-pork enchiladas, and green chili cornbread. Daddy Matty’s is also passionate about giving back, partnering with the Food Pantry of Morris County to provide meals.
Fink’s BBQ Smokehouse
Where: Dumont
Details: This local hole in the wall offers pit-smoked meats and big flavors. Menu highlights include Mixed BBQ and Potato Hash, BBQ beef-stuffed meatloaf, pulled pork, chopped beef, and spare ribs. They also have true southern dishes like a cornmeal-crusted catfish platter, Cajun-fried pork loin, and chicken-fried steak. Don’t miss their signature Porkenfries, a large pile of fries smothered with pulled pork and melted cheddar and Muenster cheese.
House of ‘Que
Where: Hoboken
Details: House of ‘Que serves more than 4,000 pounds of authentic Austin-style BBQ each week. The communal-style restaurant is on the Hoboken waterfront, which means they also offer views of NY City. Texas Pitmaster Michael Rodriguez uses a proprietary rub and hand seasons his chicken, sausage, brisket, and pulled pork. All meats here cook low and slow using a blend of oak and hickory wood. Don’t miss Dueling Piano performances on Saturday.
KB’s BBQ Smokehouse
Where: Irvington
Details: “Put Some South in Your Mouth” is the slogan at this family-owned casual BBQ joint. KB’s boasts some big flavors, courtesy of their Smokin’ sandwiches and pit platters. Both menu favorites come with signature homemade blueberry cheddar cornbread and a side. Sandwich and platter options include BBQ chicken, jerk chicken, chipotle pulled pork, pork ribs, and beef brisket. When it comes to sides, we recommend the Mexican street corn.
Minuteman Whiskey Bar & BBQ
Where: Morristown
Details: Minuteman fuses Memphis and Texas-style BBQ. Their flavors come from a combination of dry rub, secret spices, and their meat smoker. They offer sandwiches and platters with Pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, pulled chicken, and Texas brisket. But that’s not all, as they have a choice of 11 sides and four different sauce options. Their standout Whiskey Bar has some rare bottles to choose from. Minuteman also hosts live music and line dancing.
Pulled Fork BBQ
Where: Long Valley
Details: Former Texan Mike Meredith brings authentic Texas BBQ to NJ through his signature dry-rub and sauce. Pulled Fork is unique because they open at 11:00 am, and close whenever they sell out of BBQ. Menu mainstays include pulled pork and Texas brisket available by the pound. Other fan favorites include pulled-pork sandwiches, a Texas reuben, and sausage or pork tacos. Homemade sides, burgers, hot dogs, and desserts are also available.
Central Jersey
Boss Hog Barbecue
Where: 13 S Plainfield Ave, South Plainfield
Details: Brothers Mark and Jeff Johnson have been perfecting their authentic Southern-style low and slow BBQ for 15+ years. Their secret weapon? Goliath, a 500-gallon reverse flow cooker using hardwood as its only source of heat and smoke. The only serve freshly smoked meats daily, so when their supply sells out, that’s it for the day. The menu features Memphis-style ribs, brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, chicken quarters, and smoked bratwurst as their mainstays. In addition, Boss Hog serves five homemade sauces including Pineapple Habanero and their original sweet and tangy Boss Sauce. The menu also includes sandwiches, BBQ combos, and sides such as baked beans, cornbread, mac and cheese, and coleslaw.
Why I Like it: Every so often, Boss Hog will test out new BBQ recipes for a limited time only.
| Visit their Website | Order Online | Buy a Gift Card | Follow on Instagram | Follow on Facebook | Give them a Call |
Bearded One BBQ
Where: Monroe
Details: Pitmaster Chris D’Addario has transitioned his award-winning BBQ competition team and food truck into a full-time location. At a lot just off the highway in Monroe — simply known as The Spot — he barbecues his signature specials. Fan favorites include pulled pork, pork spare ribs, a pulled chicken sandwich, beef brisket, and smoke-fried wings. But the menu also boasts quesadillas, tacos, cheesesteaks, grilled cheese, burgers, and loaded pork fries.
Big Ed’s BBQ
Where: Old Bridge
Details: Big Ed’s is famous for serving all-you-can-eat ribs all day long. The local tradition of this family-owned barbecue restaurant has been going on for more than 27 years. Patrons have a choice between spare ribs and St. Louis ribs, but that’s not all. They also offer brisket, pulled pork, chicken, fried shrimp, fried clams, fritters, steak, and fried chicken. Meanwhile, fans of Big Ed’s BBQ and hot sauces can bring some home by either the pint or quart.
The Brisket Guy BBQ
Where: Springfield
Details: The Brisket Guy offers low-and-slow Texas-style BBQ with a Guyanese twist. In particular, brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, and smoked chicken are the menu highlights. Other popular picks include bowls, sandwiches, sliders, brisket fries, and mac and cheese. They also serve sides like corn bread, chili, and Coconut Spinach Rice, a unique Guyanese dish. Their bowls come with a choice of meat, plus base of mac and cheese, rice, and mashed potatoes.
More than Q
Where: Princeton | Lambertville
Details: Pitmaster Matt Martin smokes up brisket, pulled pork, sausage, chicken, and ribs at this Texas-style barbecue restaurant. But as the name implies, the menu offers more than just BBQ. In particular, they also serve brisket, pork, and chicken sandwiches and sliders, along with hot dogs, burgers, and salads. As for sides, they have southern classics such as burnt-end baked beans, collard greens, and cheesy grits; all using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The Real Deal BBQ
Where: Glen Gardner
Details: The Real Deal is a seasonal barbecue food truck that parks outside of a tire store. When open for business, they serve authentic BBQ cooked using a series of smokers. Patrons can stop by and enjoy smoked brisket, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, or sausage at the nearby picnic benches. The available sides include baked beans, coleslaw, mac and cheese, macaroni salad, potato salad, and cornbread. Catering options include a whole roasted pig.
Red White & Que Smokehouse
Where: Green Brook
Details: Pitmaster — and Marine veteran — Dan Misuraca along with his wife Katie operate Red White & Que. Not surprisingly, the restaurant offers a mix of BBQ and American classics. For instance, they serve Texas-style brisket, Carolina-style pulled pork, Alabama-style chicken, and St. Louis ribs. Meanwhile, their American fare includes pastrami sandwiches and smoked turkey breast. They even have desserts, including a Cookies & Cream Ice Box Cake.
Jersey Shore
The Hickory Hog
Where: Point Pleasant
Details: The Hickory Hog slowly smokes their meats with hickory, mesquite, and applewood in their state-of-the art smoker. Everything is made to order at this spot, but the wait is more than worth it. The extensive menu includes blackened steak bites, baby back or Memphis dry-rubbed ribs, and pulled chicken or pork. Other highlights include sandwiches, salads, burgers, wraps, and fun sides such as Hog Rolls, Corn Fritters, and Spicy Pub Pickles.
Jersey Shore BBQ
Where: Point Pleasant Beach
Details: Pitmaster Doug Walsh brings his love of barbecue straight from Texas to this Jersey Shore restaurant. His dry-rubbed meats are slow-cooked for 12 to 15 hours in his hardwood smoker. Meat options include brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs, kielbasa, and shrimp. Meanwhile, the available sides range from ranch beans and sweet potato fries to cornbread and bacon potato salad. Their unique “Twin Fires” 12-inch specialty pizzas are made to order.
Local Smoke BBQ
Where: Neptune City | Red Bank | Sea Girt | Highlands
Details: The folks behind Local Smoke are an award-winning, former competition BBQ team. They have since turned their success into multiple restaurants and a full-time catering business. They slow cook all meats using sugar maple and cherry woods, with their signature Uncle Dick’s Rub and BBQ sauces. The menu includes pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken (sandwiches or platters), plus burgers, hot dogs, salads, wings, and smoked bacon poppers.
Mutiny BBQ Company
Where: Asbury Park
Details: Mutiny offers small-batch craft barbecue using the flavors of Texas, the Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City, and Louisiana. In addition to pulled pork, ribs, brisket, turkey, wings, and homemade sides, each week offers a different special. Examples include the BBQ Cubano Sandwich, Brisko Fries, Hawaiian Style Pork Wrap, Smoked Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak, and Strawberry Hand Pies. This BYOB spot offers indoor seating and a dog-friendly outdoor area.
Oink and Moo BBQ
Where: Holmdel
Details: Oink and Moo mixes and matches BBQ styles all made from scratch and smoked over hickory woodchips. This market-style BBQ restaurant is to-go only, serving brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs, chicken, and smoked sausage. They also offer burnt ends, Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, pulled-pork nachos, burgers, and tacos. Their traditional selection of sides includes collard greens, fresh-baked cornbread, and BBQ baked beans.
Smokies Craft BBQ
Where: Bayville
Details: Smokies is the result of 10 years of testing and perfecting BBQ recipes by Owner Dave Kaminski and family. The extensive menu includes traditional dishes such as ribs, brisket, chicken, turkey, and pulled pork as a platter or sandwich. Other favorites include wings, loaded fries, burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, and cheesesteaks. Smokies also has over 19 different sauces and rubs to choose from, so the flavor combos are nearly endless.
TSTBBQ
Where: Hazlet
Details: Prior to opening TST (Top Shelf Tailgate), owners Charles and Joanne Mule would tailgate concerts and football games. Now, their love of BBQ extends to a Texas-style BBQ restaurant. TST features over 100 bourbons, a sports bar, and Sunday football. BBQ options include brisket, St. Louis ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, sausage, wings, five different rubs, and nine sauces. Try their Texas Twinkies, wrapped jalapenos with cream cheese and brisket.
South Jersey
Back Alley Barbecue
Where: Pennsauken
Details: This unassuming “back alley” spot only serves the basics in a sandwich or as a platter. The menu is limited to pulled pork, chicken, ribs, brisket, fried fish, smoked wings, and seafood gumbo. Similarly, the menu of sides consists only of mac and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, collard greens, and yams. In addition to dine-in options, they host an open-air barbecue once a week on Wednesdays. Catering and online ordering is also available.
Bill’s Barbecue
Where: Newfield
Details: This open-air roadside stand freshly smokes baby-back and St. Louis ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and chicken. Bill’s Barbecue serves their meats as either a sandwich or a platter. The carefully curated menu offers just a handful of sides, they are coleslaw, potato salad, collard greens, and baked beans. Picnic seating is available, but they serve every meal in a to-go container. Keep in mind Bill’s is only open three days a week, from Friday through Sunday.
Christine’s House of Kingfish Barbecue
Where: Shamong
Details: Christine’s offers third-generation secret sauce and BBQ recipes passed down from family in West Virginia and Southern Georgia. The menu centers around chicken and ribs, but also includes Brunswick stew, candied yams, collard greens, and coleslaw. This barbecue restaurant is open seasonally from spring through fall, so be sure to check online each spring. Folks that love their signature secret sauce can also buy it by the pint, quart, or half gallon.
David & Sons 322 BBQ
Where: Mullica Hill
Details: There are lots of choices at this gourmet BBQ restaurant, where all the meats are smoked slow and low. The menu includes brisket, ribs, pulled pork, jumbo wings, chipotle chicken, smoked pepper sausage, and garlic shrimp. But their sides are where David & Sons really stands out, with options like bacon pit beans and fried pickles. They also serve non-BBQ items like nachos, rice bowls, sandwiches, salads, shrimp po’ boys, burgers, and donuts.
Fat Jack’s BBQ
Where: Turnersville
Details: Practice makes perfect when it comes to Fat Jack’s BBQ. In fact, Pitmaster Glenn Gross spent years perfecting his spices, meats, and rubs. What does he have to show for it? Awards from more than 200 local and national competitions. He specializes in ribs, brisket, chili, and wings, but also serves pulled pork, chicken, burnt ends, and sausage. In addition, Fat Jack’s holds the honor of being NJ’s only drive-through BBQ restaurant (Dine-in is available).
Henri’s Hotts Barbeque
Where: Folsom
Details: Henri’s Hotts offers award-winning homestyle BBQ including pulled pork, smoked chicken, jerk chicken, brisket, ribs, and wings. Other menu highlights range from meatloaf and Southern fried chicken to shrimp and fish entrees. Popular sides from this spot include garlic mashed potatoes, baked beans, candied yams, homemade Mac-N-Cheese, and hush puppies. They also make homemade soups and chili, and bake their desserts in-house daily.
Lumpy’s BBQ
Where: Clementon
Details: Lumpy’s has been serving BBQ classics such as brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and burnt ends since 2010. In addition to barbecue options, they offer an American menu that includes burgers, hot dogs, chicken, quesadillas, and steak sandwiches. Of course, they offer popular sides such as collard greens, corn, BBQ beans, sweet potatoes, and cornbread. For patrons throwing a big backyard bash, Lumpy’s offers custom catering options for any size party.
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Top Photo: © Bearded One BBQ / Facebook
Other Photos (in Order):
Boss Hog Barbecue / Facebook