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Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Baltimore area by diners
Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Baltimore area by diners
Barbecue stands as one of America's most cherished culinary traditions, weaving together a rich tapestry of history, regional diversity, and evolving flavors that resonate with diners from coast to coast. A July 2022 YouGov survey revealed that nearly all Americans (96%) who consume meat enjoy barbecue, underscoring its widespread enduring appeal and cross-cultural significance. Among the 1,000 survey respondents, Texas dominated as the place most often associated with barbecue, but the cuisine's roots expand far beyond the Lone Star State.
American barbecue can be traced back to Indigenous cooking techniques and was further enriched by the influences of enslaved Africans. In the centuries since, it's evolved into a multifaceted culinary art with distinct regional styles: the tangy, vinegar-based sauces and slow-cooked pork of the Carolinas; the tender brisket of Texas with sauce served on the side; the robust, sweet-forward flavors characteristic of Kansas City; and Alabama's signature mayo-based white sauce drizzled over some juicy chicken.
Alongside these classic offerings, innovative interpretations have surged in popularity in recent decades, as multicultural variants such as Korean BBQ, with its marinated cuts and sizzling grill presentations, and Mexican barbacoa, known for its richly spiced, slow-cooked succulence, have carved out their own niche in the competitive barbecue landscape.
Over the years, barbecue has not only mirrored America's evolving palate but has also fostered a spirit of community, as festivals, backyard cookouts, and friendly competitions celebrate the art of smoking and grilling—traditions lovingly passed down from generation to generation.
Nationwide, barbecue restaurants today greet families and friends with the intoxicating aroma of slow-smoked meats served on sturdy metal trays, often covered in rustic butcher paper. And what meal would be complete without those hearty sides? Whether you opt for gooey mac and cheese and smoky collard greens or crumbly cornbread and creamy coleslaw, you can't go wrong.
If you're craving some good 'cue in your neck of the woods, Stacker has you covered with the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Baltimore based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "barbecue" within a 10-kilometer radius of Baltimore were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may serve other food items.
Keep reading to see where to go when the hunger for all things low-and-slow strikes you!
#16. Chaps Pit Beef
- Rating: 2.5/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6714 Ritchie Hwy Ste G Glen Burnie, Maryland
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Texas Roadhouse
- Rating: 3.0/5 (139 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1736 Merritt Blvd. Dundalk, Maryland
- Categories: Steakhouses, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#14. LongHorn Steakhouse
- Rating: 3.1/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8655 Pulaski Hwy Rosedale, Maryland
- Categories: Steakhouses, American, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Big Bad Wolf's House of Barbecue
- Rating: 3.7/5 (196 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5713 Harford Road Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Koba Korean Bbq
- Rating: 3.7/5 (135 reviews)
- Address: 510 East Belvedere Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Southern Blues
- Rating: 3.7/5 (220 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8406 Harford Road Parkville, Maryland
- Categories: Soul Food, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Be-One Korean BBQ
- Rating: 3.8/5 (175 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2016 Maryland Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Jong Kak
- Rating: 3.9/5 (394 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 18 West 20th St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Bon-Fire Outdoor Charcoal Grill
- Rating: 4.0/5 (226 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4122 Washington Blvd. Halethorpe, Maryland
- Categories: Barbecue, American
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Mission BBQ
- Rating: 4.1/5 (252 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3701 Boston St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Blue Pit BBQ and Whiskey Bar
- Rating: 4.1/5 (403 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1601 Union Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Bars, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Chaps Pit Beef
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1542 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 720 Mapleton Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Wieland's BBQ
- Rating: 4.4/5 (103 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1715 Edmondson Ave. Catonsville, Maryland
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Kong Pocha
- Rating: 4.4/5 (214 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 12 West 20th St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Mission BBQ
- Rating: 4.4/5 (388 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4132 East Joppa Road Nottingham, Maryland
- Categories: Barbecue, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Halo Hawaiian BBQ & Poke Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (270 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5201 East Drive Arbutus, Maryland
- Categories: Barbecue, Hawaiian, Poke
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 281 metros.