The Most Flavorful Barbeque in Pittsburgh

Cockeye Bbq

★★★★★ 4.5 (273) • $$

"So many choices so little room in my stomach to eat it all.... But I tried. Pork rinds. I love them. Especially when they are fresh. These came in a pretty big paper bag and were suuuuper tasty. Brisket.... Just right. I think I got a little of each sauce and had fun dipping little pieces of it to try them all. The sauces were all great. But I liked the mustard one best. The burnt ends were my favorite. The sausage was spiiiicy! But so, so tasty! Collard greens were some of the best I've had. I couldn't eat it all and ended up eating the rest for lunch the next day. You definitely get your moneys worth. The kids got burgers and were very happy with them. The gal at the counter was super helpful and patient with the indecisive teens. It's probably a good idea I don't live nearby or I'd be here on the regular."

Walter's Southern Kitchen

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (406) • $$

"I think this is the largest meal I've ever been served (and ordered whoops) in my life. Needless to say portions are beyond generous. I got queso with brisket which was great and the chips were so thin and crunchy. The pulled pork with both bbq sauce options was also a high light. The mac n cheese was super cheesy and i love breaded fries although these were a tad salty for me personally. Overall great meal, very very fair price, and nice and friendly staff. The atmosphere is also super cool and I love that there was a dog chillin next to me. Definitely a place to check out!"

Wheelfish

★★★★☆ 4.3 (243) • $$

"Really great barbeque in the North Hills! It's tucked back in an unassuming location, though easily accessed from McKnight or Ross residential roads. I visited on a Friday night and managed to snag the last table in the main dining area prior to live music starting. My husband and I both were impressed by the reasonable prices and the cozy ambiance right off the bat, and we were quickly visited by our server. We tried two apps (deep fried deviled eggs and cheese curds), both were excellent, and my husband tried the 2-meat combo while I tried the pulled pork nachos for dinner. Everything was fresh and flavorful! Very smokey flavor, very generous portions, all accompanied by great local folk music. We also loved the 2.50 Yuengling on tap! They also offer local craft beer and Boyd and Blair cocktails, which is nice. I'd love to return for more live music and to try more of the menu! The sandwiches look great, as does the mac & cheese. Lucky to have this hidden gem spot nearby, especially given that BBQ as a cuisine is so sparse in Pittsburgh!"

Barry Dyngles

★★★★☆ 4 (231) • $$

"In town for class reunion. Last night together was dinner at Barry Dyngles. Wonderful layout, attentive & friendly staff. The food, the food!! If I see brisket, I'm ordering brisket. Wow! We had 4-6 apps at our table and each was as delicious as the other. Deviled eggs were my fave.Will be back on next visit."

Dee Jay’s BBQ Ribs & Grille

★★★★☆ 3.7 (269) • $$

"Our waitress Kayla was amazing. Had reservations on Valentines Day however they only had 2 waitresses taking care of a packed room of tables. Management needs to plan better on a holiday with a special menu. Despite this Kayla was pleasant and attentive. Gave 4 stars because this is the 3rd visit in a row that they were out of French dressing."

Showcase BBQ

★★★★☆ 4.4 (156) • $

"My family typically gets a large of pan of ribs from Showcase for family gatherings. Today, my partner and I went to the restaurant and ordered single meals. Eating it super fresh was even better! The barbecue sauce is a bit tangy for me, but the meat is gold. While there was a long line that stretched around the block, it moved relatively quickly. The service was quick and efficient. I'd recommend the pork ribs and Mac n cheese. If you want beef ribs, you have to call 2 hours in advance. There are outdoor tables and chairs for you to eat at, but currently no indoor dining. The ribs were smoked to perfection, charred in all the right places. The Mac n cheese was very cheesy, perhaps not all the way done with blocks of cheese but still good. And the yams weren't my favorite but still good. Without a doubt, I'll be back for the ribs."

Pig and Fire House of Barbeque

★★★★☆ 4 (166) • $$

"Always excellent BBG and the service is amazing as well!!! You can't go wrong... what more can be said?!"

Off the Rails Barbeque & Drafthouse

★★★★☆ 4.3 (121) • $$

"Best barbecue around! Cool spot, live music, nice outdoor space, even better food! You order at a counter and then pick up your food at the same spot. Ribs and brisket are incredible. My husband only orders the brisket sandwich now because it's his favorite. The wings are to die for - smoked and then flash fried. They're $1 on Wednesdays! The Mac n cheese has such a good, peppery flavor. I recently had the pulled pork Mac n cheese and it was incredible. The homemade sauces are really good too. One time they had pulled chicken tacos as a special and they were so delish! I've never had a bad experience and will always go back when I have a craving for bbq!"

Rowdy BBQ

★★★★☆ 4 (138) • $

"Great price for the portion of food! Pulled pork had a great smoke flavor, French fries are as fresh as you can get them. Smokers were going in the back always a good sign. Will definitely be back when in the area! Thanks"

Ruttenbucks Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 4 (101) • $$

"Right off the exit, a food stop for locals, truckers and shoppers. Is it Bar food; yes. However, It is only 1.5 miles from Cabellas and a place that will make your mouth water for smoked meat and classic ribs. Big Food, Big Drinks and Big Racks ( Deer Silly, this is a kids show). The sample platter of ribs, pork and Chicken all smoked and pulled is large and in charge- advise- order the pulled meat without the cheese- the flavor of the meat could stand alone- The pulled chicken would be great for taco or Nachos. Pulled Pork in a sandwich- Oh yeah- the ribs cooked perfectly with good texture and taste is sweet.Extras- Don't forget the sweet potato fries and corn bread ain't bad either.Don't settle for a chain eatery- go just a little further and grab some food, drink and a step away atmosphere.So I ask- Where are your feet at? Should be right here."

Big Black Grill

★★★★☆ 3.8 (108) • $

"Big Black Grill is mainly known for its catering (anyone up for a whole barbecued pig? It feeds 75...), but I stopped by for lunch today. The first thing I noticed was how friendly and welcoming the staff members were. They greeted us at the entrance and took our orders immediately. The ordering counter is essentially set up like a Chipotle, where you can customize your sandwich or bowl with any toppings from cheese to coleslaw. Despite what the menu says, meals only come with one side, not two, so choose wisely! I got macaroni and cheese, which was a little cold, but still pretty good nonetheless. I really enjoyed my pulled chicken sandwich, especially with the extra barbecue sauce on top. I liked the casual atmosphere of the restaurant, and the dining area was clean. Every food tray is stamped with BBG's signature flame logo! The service was great and we got our food quickly, making this the perfect place to stop for lunch before getting back on the road."

Dee Jays BBQ Ribs and Grille

★★★★☆ 3.7 (94) • $$

"My friends' group has an ongoing fondness for this place. The past two times, there were 7 of us in a group, looking for food after a movie, and the nearby Bob Evan's had turned us away because our group was too big.Dee Jays to the rescue! The staff were friendly, the ambiance was laid back and not noisy, and the food was as good tasting as it looks in the picture! My pulled pork sandwich had plenty of tender, savory meat, and the table had two different bottles of Dee Jay's BBQ sauce to choose from. The unique curly steak fries had a nice outer crunch contrasted by a soft smooth interior... I don't know if they have some sort of unique spiral cutter to fry potatoes on the premises, or if there's a more complicated manufacturing process, but honestly the result is yum.It looks like they host events sometimes, and there was a fun huge prize wheel, so I think with a little planning ahead a visit to Dee Jay's could be a fun evening in addition to good food."

Charlie Staples Bar-B-Que

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (124) • $$

"Been going here since '83. Surprised at the range of reviews here, so wanted to inform in case you are someone who actually bases their decision to try a place based on Yelp reviews. Here is what to expect:1). Not as good as when Ms. Young ran the place in the old house across the street back in the day, but still awesome.2). Not 'traditional' BBQ3). Order the bird with sauce on fry. Chicken much better than the ribs.4). Hear the Big Bertha is awesome, but not a baked potato guy.5). Saw a 1 star review on Yelp from a guy who got a burger. They offer a burger for the kids. If you are older than 12 & order a burger (or anything not BBQ'd), they should immediately escort you outside, wrap you in plastic, & beat you with a stick!6). At some point, take your sauce soaked fries & put them on the sauce soaked bread, fold it & enjoy a 'fry sandwich', you'll thank me later.Lived in Memphis and tried all the greats, Montgomery Inn & several of the other 'famous' places. I'll take the Bird (chicken), Heat (Hot), Wet (Sauce on Fry) over them all."

Annie Lee's Southern Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.6 (60)

"I had read about this place a while ago, and kept looking at the reviews, but with Covid and all, never found the time to visit until today. And wow!Went with a couple of friends on a gorgeous day that enabled us to eat outside on their nice picnic tables. I decided to forego the sides and concentrate on their ribs by ordering a half slab. The young woman behind the counter was very pleasant and asked if I wanted sauce on the ribs or on the side. I wanted to see if the meat could stand on its own, so small covered cups were provided on top of my takeout container. The ribs had a really nice char, and tasted outrageous. I only used the sauce sparingly, since I couldn't get enough of that flavor. Five meaty bones were more than enough, and we mentioned how even the fat tasted good. They weren't overly salty (I'm looking at you, Mission Barbecue), but somehow. The best ribs I think I've ever had!Annie Lee's Southern Kitchen is kind of in the middle of nowhere, but when it comes to real deal barbecue, they're right on the money. I WILL return!!!"

Z-Best BBQ

★★★★☆ 4.1 (73) • $$

"I was blown away. The restaurant doesn't look amazing from the outside and there isn't a ton of room to sit down, but hooooly heck the food is incredible. Z-Best BBQ really lives up to it's name. Any meat dish will be fall-off-the-bone tender while the sweet potatoes and cabbage (my sides of choice) were both delicious and given in generous portions. The cornbread that comes with the meals... it was some of the stickiest, most delicious cornbread I've ever had the pleasure of eating! I honestly can't express with words how satisfying the meal was. For price versus value, this meal excels. If you're looking for a healthy place to grab a salad, definitely don't dine here. However, if you're looking for finger-licking good soul food, you've found the right place! I'd recommend this place to anyone!"

Gorky's Smokin Grill

★★★★☆ 3.7 (69) • $$

"I have family in Mt Pleasant PA so visit at least once a year. I had been wanting to try Gorky's for a long while now and finally paid a visit.For starters you couldn't meet nicer people. There's a good vibe from the moment you walk through the entrance and the smells of smoked bbq drifting from the kitchen are enticing.We ordered ribs, pulled chicken and several sides. There's a wide variety of homemade BBQ sauces available. We tried three of them - Gorky's original, Carolina sauce, and the Fiery sauce. They were all good but the hot sauce could have packed a little more punch by my standards. Ribs were tender and delicious. The chicken was good, not great. As for the sides the cornbread is outrageously delicious. Runner up are the beans and chili. The only thing that failed to impress was the coleslaw, but there are probably a hundred different ways to make coleslaw. Highly recommend if you're in the area and hungry for BBQ done the old school way.Oh, and the Tshirts are epic."

Hog Heaven

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (94) • $$

"Ambiance - 5The ambiance was perfect for a BBQ restaurant. Everything was clean, even the restroom. The dollar bills on the walls and ceiling are a fun touch. Lighting was good and decor was perfect for the type of restaurant.Service - 5We were met with friendly staff and were seated right away. Our waitress cane to the table right away, but we weren't ready for her and asked for more time. She returned in a timely fashion and she took our order. She was pleasant, funny, had a cute personality and was dressed as Wednesday from Addams Family for Halloween. She brought our old in a timely manner, as well, and returned after an appropriate time to check on us.Food - 3For an appetizer we had the potato skins with pulled pork and jalapeños. The pulled pork lacked the flavor it should have had and the regular BBQ sauce didn't help it. For dinner, My wife ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs (with their new hickory BBQ sauce) and beef brisket with cole slaw and macoroni and cheese. I ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs with their regular BBQ sauce with Cole slaw and potato salad. The ribs with the hickory sauce were quite good; however, the regular BBQ sauce was fairly tasteless. The brisket was fair and luke warm. We both liked the Cole slaw and potato salad, but the macaroni and cheese were bland and luke warm.Price - 4The price for our combined dinners was $62.20, a bit high for only having water with dinner, but not ridiculous.SuggestionsOne thing all BBQ restaurants should offer are beef ribs in addition to pork ribs. Good meaty, rip-off-the-bone-with-your-teeth ribs are a must. Also, make sure your cooked food comes to the table hot and tasty. Otherwise, good job."

Pit Take BBQ

★★★★★ 4.6 (42)

"I drive by this restaurant many times and finally stopped to enjoy a late lunch. We had sandwiches and a delicious smoked Mac n cheese- excellent smoke flavor! The brisket was tender and delicious homemade pickles. Since we were here midafternoon, there were two other takeout customers, so their staff was very attentive and pleasant. I look forward to the next time I am craving brisket."

City Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4 (46) • $$

"Quick, pleasant, and friendly service. The food was well seasoned. The ramen was the highlight of my meal, however, it was a bit spicier than expected, but otherwise full of flavor. The interior is a bit loud when running at full capacity which made it hard to hear and talk to others. The outside looked like a great area to spend with kids. Our party had some issues navigating the qr code menu, but staff was able to take orders instead."

Dee Jay's BBQ Ribs & Grille - Wexford

★★★★☆ 4.1 (39)

"I had lunch there with a group. The service was excellent and friendly. I had 1/2 rack of ribs, sweet potato fries and string beans. The ribs were tender with the right amount of sauce and the green beans were fresh. I will definitely be back."

Dee Jay's BBQ Ribs & Grille - Racetrack Rd

★★★★☆ 3.8 (39) • $$

"See Jay's has theeeee best ribs and you can't tell me any different! You'd be absolutely insane to go to Dee Jay's and not get the ribs. A whole rack is big enough to share. My husband and I like the share the whole rack and the 2 sides and maybe get an app or two. Surprisingly enough, the strawberry daiquiris are also delicious!"

Mason Dixon BBQ

★★★★☆ 4.3 (30)

"My partner and I came here to get bbq ribs, but they were all out when I arrived. I ordered the smaller platter, but without ribs, the staff gave me a pulled pork sandwich to replace them. The brisket was good. The pulled pork was the best though! The slaw and beans were alright as sampler sides. Overall I spent about $34 here, which felt expensive but is probably pretty reasonable for the amount of food I got. The sampler platter is definitely a two person assignment. My partner ordered the pulled brisket nachos. The chips seemed low quality."

NaKa EndZone BBQ

★★★★★ 4.7 (25)

"Wow wow wow. What a hidden little surprise in Crafton! Cheap, quality bbq! I ordered the 3 piece dinner which is $10 and comes with your choice of 3 pieces of meat, 2 sides, and a potato roll. It was so delicious. My Mac and cheese needed seasoned a tiny bit more, but the baked beans were some of the best I've ever had. They had a unique cinnamon like flavor and were thick and velvety. Highly recommend those. I'd really like to try their other sides and the pork ribs next time. I'd come here again in a heartbeat. Prices are decent, and the food is really flavorful and made with love! The bbq sauce is so unique and tangy, and definitely a must try.They have a list of like 10 desserts too. Several cheesecakes and mousse cakes that look huge and delicious. I can't wait to try one of those next time too! I'll be back again soon."

Smokin' Toad's BBQ

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (65) • $$

"Burgers and chips were very good! I've not eaten much else. I've heard they have a great brunch on weekends so I'd like to try out."

Robbie's Super-Stuff Super-Licious Bbq Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (28) • $$

"Stop by Robbie's after work, and she said she was all sold out for the day, and she apologized. But I said hey that's. A good thing! Which in my mind, meant I had to come back!! And sure enough she did not disappoint. Had the pork ribs, which was a very generous portion for half rack. Spareribs with rib tips. I couldn't finish my meal it was a lot of food, perfectly seasoned and smoked. Sides were delicious, had the Mac n cheese! Tray baked with that delicious little touch of caramelization on the top that you only get from baking it. Greens were tasty! Have come to come back and try her beef ribs. Run single handedly by Wonderful lady, who will tell you how it is...no sugar coating with her. Great pace for some real good ribs!!"

Pittsburgh Barbeque Company

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (46) • $$

"Finding BBQ in Pittsburgh is tough! This place is about 12 miles from me but it's the closest thing in sight! Location is awkward, out of the way and right on the highway with about 4-5 gravel parking spots in all. Food: pretty good selection with chicken, brisket, pulled pork and ribs available. The half chicken was well seasoned, juicy and good. The ribs had enough meat and went well with the sauce. The brisket was a bit disappointing. It's cut into thin, dry slices and not fatty or smoked enough. Definitely leaves a lot to be desired after coming from Bear's BBQ in CT or any Southern place that serves burnt ends. Sides: not bad! I got 3 cornbread and it's more casserole-like than bread like which is fine with me b/c it's sweeter and softer. Cole slaw was fine and the baked apples was a nice dessert. I might try the mac and cheese next time. Price: on the higher side for a take out place, but at least each portion comes with rolls and sauce on the side. The combos include 2 sides and a drink so that was cool for a complete meal. I just wish they could have included napkins, utensils and some plates since we took all our food straight to a picnic. Good thing I packed all those things as back up already.People: there were 4 ladies working when I went on a Saturday evening and they were all really nice and ready to answer all the questions I had. That spicy version of their BBQ sauce was actually really spicy. Beware. The regular sauce was okay--a bit vinegary but not bad. I will recommend this place for a quick BBQ fix."

Hangover BBQ

★★★★★ 4.7 (23) • $$

"I have a hard time believing this place doesn't have a higher rating. We came to this place during our stay at Oglebay Resort. We wanted good bbq and chose this place. An FYI for out of Towner's, you order in one building and then cross the street for seating in another building. No problem, the street you have to cross isn't busy. I got the 2 meat 2 sides platter with ribs and sausage, Cole slaw and macaroni salad. It's served with a small piece of cornbread and pickled jalapenos, onions and pickles. For my sauce, I chose the spicy mustard and the horesradish. The ribs were phenomenal. I prefer my ribs without bbq sauce and these ribs cakes rubbed perfectly!! The meat was tender and the bones pulled apart easily....YUM!! I was not a fan of the coleslaw and macaroni salad was just alright. The cornbread was wonderful...dense and sweet. The sausage was out of this world. My husband got the brisket and ribs. The brisket was tender and juicy and cooked to perfection. He got macaroni and cheese which was devine....it was creamy and thick! Staff was friendly and let us try all the sauces bc we were out of TownersWe will for sure be visiting again!"

Nedal Gyro ¸

★★★★★ 4.6 (24)

"I made a trip out west to try one of my buddy's favorite Greek restaurants: Nedal Gyro. I was skeptical of the location since this side of Butler is sketchier than a call center in India, but I was instantly greeted by a friendly waitress and made my way toward the table.I ordered the Gyro, and the lamb was as tender as the sore flesh around my tattered up SI joint. The water tasted like paint thinner, but I was feeling fattened up after that blissful Gyro. I'll be back once the cold weather subsides and PA's gas prices stop kicking my tail."

South Side BBQ Company

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (38) • $

"Good pulled pork sandwich and ghost pepper Mac n cheese. I usually do take out or delivery with a food service"

Rogue BBQ PGH

★★★★☆ 3.7 (27)

"We had a great dinner here on a Thursday night. The food, service, and decor were all great. The restaurant was all decked out for Christmas, which was very festive and fun. We had the brisket (plate and sliders), greens, and cole slaw. Everything was delicious. They do add peppers to their cole slaw, which is not my thing. All in all a good dinner and a good night!"

Wings & a Prayer

★★★★★ 4.6 (17) • $$

"Fantastic wings and white fish. Such a nice restaurant and sweet owner. Onion rings were a perfect side."

Old Carolina Barbecue

★★★★☆ 3.5 (29) • $$

"Hubby and I tried this place after seeking out a BBQ joint....it's off the beaten path, and we never even knew it was there until we saw it on Yelp. Since we were new to this place we tried the Sampler. All of the BBQ meats were tender. Especially liked the flavor of the wings. The hush puppies were very good, but the Mac was pretty bland. Next time we'd try a different side. They had 4 different BBQ sauces to try, offering a nice variety, and they were all pretty good. Overall, a very good place and we will definitely return."

Red's Texas BBQ

★★★★☆ 4.2 (20)

"So I was skeptical about getting Texas BBQ in Pennsylvania and I was blown away by Red's Texas BBQ....it's a little hard to find on the scalp strip in Johnstown, Pa it's in a small group of shops next to a sub way and it's got a small drive thru but that's the only thing small about this wonderful restaurant....The flavor is HUGE!!!!! So the menu was on a smaller scale due to the co-vid 19 but the offerings were everything that we were looking for...we got pulled pork and brisket with a couple of sides like baked beans, Mac and cheese, beans rice and sausage....the pulled pork melts in your mouth and has a Smokey smooth flavor and is seasoned to perfection....the brisket has a deep Smokey taste and the meat is so flavorful that it's hard to switch between them....they gave us extra sauce which had a sweet and tangy taste which blends well with the Smokey taste...the sides are great! The baked beans have a sweet taste and also Smokey flavor that was not overbearing it was smooth and it had such a taste that I can't even put it into words...I'm not a big baked beans guy but these were well worth the money...the Mac and cheese was a traditional homemade concoction only thing was it could use salt but that's just my personal preference...the beans, rice and sausage have a kick a little too much for me but I'll take it...also my girlfriend loved the cornbread she even pointed out that it actually had real corn in the bread which you don't usually see that in most cornbread...everything is home made which makes spending your money at this restaurant worth the investment...love this place and expect to be seeing more of me!"

When Pigs Fly 1

★★★★☆ 3.9 (20)

"Tasty pulled pork sandwich served on a hoagie style roll with cole slaw topping. I opted for their hot sauce. Not a lot of heat, but still good. I liked the portion size and the pork had a nice smoky flavor. The side of potato salad was your basic potato salad. Probably get the mac and cheese next time. Owner was friendly. Said recipes were from his mama."

The Flame BBQ

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (29) • $

"While I drove by The Flame dozens of times before actually going inside, I've been there several times now. It's probably because it's close to where I live, but mostly because it's so darn tasty. The brisket, I have to admit, may disappoint. But that's only because everything else is so much better in comparison. The ribs and pulled chicken are great but the pulled pork is A-MAY-ZING. I've had several of their side dishes and cornbread and my tummy always ends up with a smile. They have some good daily/weekly deals, too, so if you're planning to stop by, check the menu online first. But for reals, the pulled pork - it's the best I've had so far in this city. So moist and tender...the stuff dreams are made of.They are closed on Mondays and only open on Sundays for catering orders. I try to forget this as I have several times tried to call ahead a take out order on a Monday. I've also experienced the catering a few times and never been let down."