Smoke and meat are each magnificent alone, but unite them over fire, and you create something transcendent—with the primal satisfaction of a crackling campfire, a perfectly charred steak, and the communal hum of a backyard gathering on a golden afternoon. Now add the scent of hickory on the breeze, and you’ve found culinary perfection. From brisket and ribs to pulled pork and burnt ends, here are Columbus’s finest temples of barbeque.
Barrel & Boar
$ | (614) 392-1079 | WEBSITE
No list of barbecue joints in Columbus would be complete without a mention of Barrel & Boar. They were one of the first serious options for barbecue in Columbus when they opened up years ago, and their popularity has only increased, as you can see from the steady stream of customers filling their tables and the lively chatter that fills the space.
They’re best known for their ultra-flavorful pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches—dripping with sauce and messy in the best way—but they also do a really great BBQ mac and cheese bowl with brisket for when you want (or need) something just a little bit heartier.
Alebrijes
$ | (614) 363-9979 | WEBSITE
Parked in a Columbus food truck lot is Alebrijes—home to some of the best pastor tacos in Ohio. Expect a line during lunch hours on weekdays, where the folks waiting at the window almost start to outnumber the cars in the lot. Don’t worry, it moves fast. We also really like that they serve coffee outside of taco hours—because sometimes there’s no better way to end your meal than with a hot cup alongside those purple onion salsa sides.
MEET POT BBQ & HOTPOT
$$ | (614) 754-1196 | WEBSITE
When the weather turns cold enough to justify a feast, we head to Meet Pot BBQ & Hotpot for their all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and hot pot. We love the selection of fresh meats and veggies for grilling, and the individual hot pot broths where you can create your own concoctions. Also, when you see something on the menu called “unique tinfoil foods,” you can’t not try them. Just trust them when they say they’re highly recommended.
Kay’s Soul Food Kitchen
$ | (614) 615-8553 | WEBSITE
Kay’s Soul Food Kitchen may be tucked away in a food court area, but the turkey leg is outstanding, the kind of dish that you willingly travel long distances for (or just call ahead to confirm it’s open, it’s worth the trip). The meat is tender and falling off the bone, with a flavorful, well-seasoned taste. You should also think about ordering the stuffed salmon, the collard greens, and/or the macaroni and cheese, as you will not regret it.
Pecan Penny’s
$ | (614) 826-0750 | WEBSITE
Pecan Penny’s—featured among the best barbecue spots in Columbus—offers fantastic food and service in a lively and welcoming atmosphere. The Buffalo wings come with all the classic appeal—described as really good and meaty—or you can get the Penny’s Salad with pulled pork and feel like you’re at a proper backyard cookout. They make really tasty ribs and brisket as well.
Mike’s mobile lunches
$ | (614) 512-8298 | WEBSITE
When a food truck tries to do too much, it often ends up a mess, but Mike’s Mobile Lunches manages to pull it off effortlessly. The menu is straightforward yet satisfying, spanning everything from huge pizza slices and full pies, to smoked meat options like their popular pork nachos. But when we stop by, we usually go straight for the pizza—you can get it by the slice or as a whole pie, with that perfect crispy-yet-chewy crust.
There aren’t really any bad choices here, but we’re especially fond of the classic cheese slice, which is a steal at just $4. The truck itself is clean and well-organized, with a friendly, upbeat vibe that makes grabbing lunch feel like a treat rather than a chore.
Lucky Hawaiian BBQ
$ | (614) 826-0097 | WEBSITE
Lucky Hawaiian BBQ has been serving up fast and delicious Hawaiian-inspired meals—like short ribs, Special shrimp, spam musubi, and pineapple fried rice—in a strip mall with limited parking for a while now. But our favorite thing to get here is their kalua pork, which comes with a side of macaroni salad and a mountain of rice—it’s enough to easily feed two or three. The portions are substantial, often enough for multiple meals, making it a great value at around $12–$15 per plate.
The packaging for takeout orders is well-designed to ensure everything arrives untampered, though the small lobby and dining area mean you’ll mostly be grabbing your food to go. While the atmosphere is just okay and there are no non-takeaway utensils, the focus remains on the quality and taste, with many customers already planning their next visit to try something new like the spicy beef or Hawaiian mochiko chicken.
Kung Fu Noodle Columbus
$ | (614) 564-9865 | WEBSITE
Kung Fu Noodle Columbus, the Chinese noodle spot featured among Columbus’s best barbeque restaurants, dishes out some phenomenal food, including the dan dan noodles, aka a noodle bowl with minced meat and sauce creating a creamy texture. Here the soup comes with bok choy and scallions, and diners often add chili oil. The broth is warm and tasty, a comforting experience not entirely unlike when you wrap yourself in a cozy blanket on a chilly winter day.
The hand-stretched noodles are a popular choice, especially in winter, and the noodle soup is perfect for cold weather. The Chinese hamburger, made with an English muffin-like bread filled with pulled pork and green peppers, offers a savory taste with a slight crunch and is quite filling. The owners are friendly, and service is quick, making for a pleasant dining experience. Guests also enjoy watching the homemade noodles being prepared and appreciate the large indoor seating area.
The dessert donuts are a highlight, adding a sweet finish to the meal.
Texas Roadhouse
$$ | (614) 436-8300 | WEBSITE
At Texas Roadhouse, the name of the game is, well, steaks and rolls. And they do both very well. The rolls here are all fresh-baked—a very enjoyable sight to see when you walk in the door—and come with that addictive cinnamon butter everyone raves about. And if you think that’s a lot of flavor, just wait until you try the steaks. There’s perfectly cooked ribeyes, sirloins, filets, and more. The best part? There’s no bad choice, though the ribeye and the sirloin are especially good.
They have a few locations in the Columbus area, including downtown, Easton, and Dublin.
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Cowboy Bar & Smokehouse
$$ | (614) 487-3660 | WEBSITE
There aren’t a lot of things that motivate us to make the drive from downtown Columbus to the Arena District, which is what puts a night at PBR Cowboy Bar & Smokehouse and a Blue Jackets game at Nationwide Arena in very unique company. This is barbecue at its best—nearly every component is expertly smoked in-house—with portions generous enough to make even the hungriest cowboy jealous.
There are a lot of lively elements here, so whether you’re doing a country music bar tour of Columbus or just in the mood for a fun night with shishito peppers and cowboy fries, you have a reason to make the trip, too.
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit Linworth
$ | (614) 330-7292 | WEBSITE
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit Linworth is perhaps best known for their smoked meats—it’s in their name after all. We’re big fans of the sandwiches here, especially the monstrous brisket sandwich dripping with delicious barbecue sauce. While the sandwich is tasty on its own, make sure to ask for extra homemade barbecue sauce for the full smoky experience. Find them in a modest setup on Linworth Road alongside some of the best barbeque in Columbus, another spot on this guide.
Ray Rays Hog Pit Franklinton
$ | (614) 404-9742 | WEBSITE
We’re always impressed whenever we visit Ray Rays Hog Pit Franklinton. We’re powerless to not order the jerk chicken sandwich, and we really like their pulled pork. The pork is perhaps a little misleading—it’s so tender it practically melts in your mouth (and not just ordinary pulled pork). The flavor is heavy with smoke, the meat is juicy, and the portion size is pretty generous.
SGD DUBU SO GONG DONG TOFU & KOREAN BBQ
$ | (614) 389-1050 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in a Columbus strip mall, SGD DUBU SO GONG DONG TOFU & KOREAN BBQ serves up excellent renditions of Korean comfort food, from bibimbap and tofu soup to seafood pancakes and grilled mackerel. As soon as the weather turns chilly, we find ourselves craving their signature tofu bibimbap, packed full of fresh vegetables, a perfectly fried egg, and that addictive spicy gochujang sauce we usually can’t help but mix in completely before the first bite.
Just know that this is a casual, fast-service spot with simple wooden tables and bright lighting, so plan to enjoy your meal quickly, or take it to-go and try not to burn your tongue on that delicious, steaming hot tofu soup like we have in the past.
J P’s Barbecue Ribs
$ | (614) 878-7422 | WEBSITE
J P’s Barbecue Ribs, nestled in Columbus, is probably best known for their smoky barbecue ribs, and it’s definitely our favorite place to get a grilled chicken sandwich with fries and applesauce. The comforting, homey aroma is warm, inviting, and delicious—it’s exactly what we crave when we need a taste of something familiar and satisfying (sometimes we just stop by on a regular Tuesday and pretend it’s a special occasion).
bb.q Chicken Columbus
$ | (614) 429-3144 | WEBSITE
The menu at bb.q Chicken Columbus focuses on Korean-inspired fried chicken—offering a variety of sauces like the signature cheeseling, Gangnam, and honey garlic. That means you’ll find everything from crispy, juicy chicken pieces to sides like tteokbokki and dumplings.
We usually go with the Gangnam sauce here—in part because it’s one of the standout flavors, but also because the sweet and savory, slightly-spicy glaze over perfectly fried chicken is satisfying enough on any night that you’ll forget you’re eating in a strip mall. They’re located conveniently with ample parking, making it accessible for both locals and visitors.