Michigan’s barbecue scene sizzles with surprises, blending time-honored smokehouse traditions with bold regional twists.
From slow-smoked ribs glazed in cherry-infused sauce to buttery cornbread baked in cast iron, the state’s pitmasters craft magic over open flames.
Newcomers, grab a napkin—this journey is deliciously messy!
♨️ Lockhart’s BBQ
Hungry for smoke-kissed, finger-licking glory? Lockhart’s BBQ in Royal Oak slings Texas-style ‘cue with Michigan flair🔥.
Think tender brisket, ribs that hug the bone, and sides that steal the show—all served in a rowdy-but-friendly space where BBQ dreams come true 🥧🥤.
Bring your appetite, leave your napkins (you’ll need extras).
Food Highlights
- Beef Brisket: Smoked over 14 hours, sliced thin or piled high, with a smoky bark that crunch-whispers “eat me”.
- St. Louis Cut Spare Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone tender, glazed with tangy-sweet BBQ sauce—rib royalty.
- Smoked Queso Pork Nachos: A mountain of crispy chips, melty queso, and smoky pork topped with jalapeños and cilantro—appetizer MVP.
- Mac-n-Cheese Shepherds Pie: Creamy mac layered with BBQ meat and baked golden—comfort food on steroids.
- Ugly Smoked Gumbo: Packed with chicken, sausage, and Cajun spice—a Louisiana hug in a bowl.
- Burnt Ends: Double-smoked brisket chunks—meat candy for carnivores.
Atmosphere
Casual, bustling, and unapologetically loud, Lockhart’s feels like a Texas roadhouse collided with a Detroit dive bar.
Exposed brick, picnic tables, and the sweet scent of wood smoke set the scene.
Families, date-nighters, and solo meat enthusiasts crowd the space, while weekend brunch (think brisket-stuffed breakfast burritos) turns it into a gravy-scented party 🍳🎉.
Why It’s One of the Best in Michigan
Lockhart’s nails the holy trinity: massive portions, bold flavors, and zero pretension.
Their custom wood smoker churns out Instagram-worthy plates, while weekly deals like $2 smoked wings and kids-eat-free Thursdays make it a wallet-friendly feast.
Plus, they cater—so your next party could smell like victory 🔥🍴.
Address: 202 E 3rd St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
♨️ Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q
Detroit’s North End hides a smoky treasure where ribs reign supreme and sauce flows like liquid gold. 🔥
For over 60 years, this family-run pitmaster haven has slathered vinegar-kissed, fiery magic on fall-off-the-bone meats.
Think charred perfection, tangy drama, and portions that’ll make your heart (and stomach) sing. 💃🎉
Food Highlights
- Large End Ribs: Smoked low-and-slow, these meaty giants drown in Parks’ signature hot sauce—a spicy, vinegar-forward punch that loyalists swear by. Pair it with their pillowy bread for saucy bliss.
- Rib Tips: Tender, crispy-edged nuggets drenched in mild or sweet sauce—perfect for sauce dippers who want flavor without the fire.
- Rib Sandwich: A boneless pile of shredded pork rib meat, smothered in sauce and hugged by bread. Messy? Absolutely. Worth it? Obviously.
- Baked Beans: Sweet, smoky, and studded with meat scraps—a soulful side that’s earned cult status.
Atmosphere
Step into a no-frills time capsule where the walls whisper BBQ secrets. Limited seating? Yep. Retro charm? Oh yeah.
This isn’t Instagram bait—it’s authentic Detroit grit with a side of smoky nostalgia.
Why It’s One of the Best in Michigan
Parks isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a Detroit institution. Generations have lined up for ribs that balance simplicity with knockout flavor.
The sauce alone (available by the bottle!) could fuel a Motor City revival. Come for the meat, stay for the history, and leave plotting your next visit.
Address: 7444 Beaubien St, Detroit, MI 48202
Hours: Tue-Thur 11AM–8PM, Fri-Sat 11AM–9PM, Sun 1–8PM.
♨️ Slows Bar BQ
Detroit’s Slows Bar BQ isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a flavor explosion 🎉 where smoky aromas collide with bold sauces and hearty portions.
Since 2005, this Corktown hotspot has redefined Midwest barbecue with creative twists, craft beer love, and a vibe that’s equal parts retro-industrial and electric.
Think exposed brick walls, sizzling plates, and a crowd that’s always buzzing 🍖🔥.
Food Highlights
- The Yardbird: Smoked Amish chicken piled with mushrooms, cheddar, and applewood bacon in honey mustard BBQ sauce—voted one of America’s best sandwiches 🥪🌟.
- Triple Threat Pork: A towering combo of pulled pork, ham, and bacon on Texas toast—a carnivore’s dream featured on Man vs. Food 📺🍴.
- Baby Back Ribs: Award-winning, fall-off-the-bone ribs glazed with a secret spice blend—order a full slab and thank us later 🦴💥.
- Brisket Enchiladas: Smoked beef, grilled onion, and smoked gouda wrapped in tortillas, drenched in spicy BBQ sauce 🌮🧀.
- The Reason: Pulled pork doused in tangy North Carolina sauce with coleslaw and pickles—the sandwich that started it all 🥒🍖.
Atmosphere
Housed in a renovated Corktown space near Michigan Central Station, Slows mixes rustic charm with urban energy.
Exposed beams, vintage decor, and a packed bar create a lively backdrop for feasting.
Weekends get wild, but snagging a seat at the communal tables or courtyard is worth the wait 🎶🍻.
Why It’s One of the Best in Michigan
Slows uses premium ingredients like Niman Ranch meats and locally sourced veggies, elevating classic BBQ into art.
Their sauces—like the Apple Bar BQ and Spicy Slows Special—are legendary (buy a jar to take home!).
Add rave reviews from Food Network and a cameo on Best Sandwich in America, and you’ve got a must-visit spot for meat lovers and sauce enthusiasts alike 🏆🚀.
Address: 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
♨️ Jack’s Roadside BBQ Bar & Grill
Fire up your taste buds 🔥 where smoky magic meets Michigan charm!
Jack’s Roadside BBQ Bar & Grill in Davisburg serves legendary hardwood-smoked meats that’ll make you forget your name.
Think tender brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and sauces so good they’ve won awards 🏆.
With a laid-back vibe, frosty beers 🍻, and portions bigger than your appetite, this spot is a meat lover’s paradise.
Food Highlights
- Burnt Ends: Melty, bark-covered beef cubes smoked for hours—so rich they’ll ruin other BBQ joints for you.
- Jerk Chicken Bowl: Spiced to perfection 🌶️, this Jamaican-inspired dish packs heat and sweetness in every bite.
- The Carolina Sandwich: Pulled pork piled high with tangy slaw and BBQ sauce—messy, saucy, and worth every napkin.
- Loaded Mac: Creamy mac ’n’ cheese smothered in your choice of meat (go for brisket!) and drizzled with house sauce.
- Peach Cobbler: Warm, buttery dessert with a cinnamon kick 🍑—pair it with their smoky old-fashioned for full bliss.
Atmosphere
This place feels like a backyard party with friends 🎶. TVs blast sports, the bar pours local drafts, and picnic-style seating invites lingering.
Staff greet regulars by name, and the scent of smoldering oak hangs in the air.
Pro tip: Ask for the off-menu “Home Run” platter (all the meats!) if you’re feeling adventurous.
Why It’s One of the Best in Michigan
Jack’s nails the trifecta: quality, quantity, and vibe. Their recipes, honed over decades of competition wins, deliver bold flavors without pretension. Portions?
Generous. Beer list? Cold. Even the cornbread—moist and just-sweet-enough—outshines rivals.
For a taste of roadside tradition with a side of hospitality, this is Michigan BBQ at its finest.
Address: 10816 Dixie Hwy, Davisburg, MI
♨️ Two Scotts Barbecue
Grand Rapids just leveled up its BBQ game with Two Scotts—a smoky paradise where meat dreams come true! 🔥🍖🤤
Think tender brisket, saucy sandwiches, and sides so good they’ll make you forget your name.
This spot slays with slow-smoked magic and creative twists on classics. Pro tip: wear stretchy pants.
Food Highlights
- Burnt Ends: Juicy, caramelized beef nuggets with a bark that crackles like campfire gossip. A fan favorite for their smoky-sweet punch.
- Sloppy Scott: Brisket burnt ends piled high with onions and slaw on a buttery brioche bun—messy perfection.
- Pimento Mac & Cheese: Creamy, tangy, and stupidly addictive (reviewers swear it’s “the best they’ve ever had”).
- St. Louis Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone tender with a dry rub that’s pure Michigan-meets-Memphis vibes.
- Das Rueben: Smoked corned beef, Swiss, and kraut on rye—a BBQ deli hybrid that shouldn’t work but totally does.
Atmosphere
It’s cozy, no-frills, and buzzing like a backyard cookout.
Counter seats let you watch the meat magic happen, while the smell of hickory smoke slaps you awake. Staff? Friendlier than your grandma’s neighbor.
Why It’s One of the Best in Michigan
Two Scotts blends regional BBQ styles into something uniquely Great Lakes—dry-rubbed, sauce-optional, and unapologetically bold.
Voted top BBQ in the state by food critics, it’s a pilgrimage for carnivores. Plus, they’ve got draft root beer so good it’ll make you question soda loyalty.
Address: 536 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504