Everyone loves the taste of barbecue, whether you enjoy a thick, bold flavor, mesquite, slightly tangy, or sweet sauce on your favorite beef, pork, chicken, or fish. Louisiana has some of the best in the country, and below are the 10 best barbecue joints in the state where you can satisfy your taste for some finger-licking, mouth-watering deliciousness.
If the thought of juicy slow-cooked pulled pork and beef brisket, chicken, sausage, and ribs make your mouth water, then you should visit the Joint in New Orleans to get your hunger satisfied. With great sides that compliment these great smoked barbecue choices like mac & cheese, cole slaw, and baked beans, you won’t go home hungry from this national award-winning eatery that opened in 2004.
Are you looking for hot, fresh, and tasty barbecue? Lil’ Daddy’s in Lafayette has the answer to your quest. The cooks here know how to cook up great barbecued meats because they know you can’t hurry flavor. You can find dry rub ribs, tender brisket, juicy brisket, and melt-in-your-mouth chicken with a special house sauce that will make you lick your fingers and your lips. They’ll even cater your next event if you want to share.
You’ll find your favorite barbecue sauce and your new favorite barbecue joint at McClure’s in New Orleans. Open every day from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., Texas, St. Louis, and Carolina-style barbecued meats and a variety of traditional sides like baked beans, cole slaw, greens, and macaroni and cheese awaits you and your taste buds will thank you.
You won’t find a better barbecue joint in the state than Pimanyoli’s Smokehouse Café in Baton Rouge. With a unique sauce that uses 21 key ingredients, this is a very special (and secret) combination that will make you beg for more. When you visit Pimanyoli’s, you’ll hear the sounds of blues, and favorites from the past, and everything makes the whole dining experience one you won’t soon forget. Open every day but Sunday.
If you want authentic Southern barbecue, you have to try Grayson’s in Clarence, Louisiana. A social media favorite, when people try this little eatery, they leave talking about it. And it’s no wonder because they take their time making their meats flavorful by letting them cook slowly to lock in the flavor. A third-generation family-owned business established in 1959, you won’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Open every day except Monday.
Good barbecue plus good people plus good location equals awesome experience. That’s what you’ll get at Eddie’s in Alexandria, Louisiana. The wood-smoked boldness of this Southern treat is really smokin’ and you can get your choice of beef, ribs, port, ham, turkey, chicken or sausage with sides like mac & cheese, potato salad, corn maque choux, okra, onion rings, and more. They can cater your next event and also have a kid-friendly menu.
The day starts early at Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse in Homan, Louisiana. Briskets get started at 4 a.m. every day and are allowed to cook slowly for 16-20 hours to seal in the delicious smoked flavor. Chicken and ribs are started a little later, but have the same great taste. This award-winning family-owned business is a dream come true for owners Mike and Judith, who opened the eatery in true traditional barbecue style. Dine in, take home, or have them cater your next party.
Simple and delicious food is what you can expect at Hickory Stick in Shreveport, Louisiana. Offering single plates, po’boys, smoked meats, soups, salads, and family packs, there are daily specials like chicken & dumplings and red beans & rice that are hearty and filling.
This is truly a little hidden gem of a barbecue place. The York Chop in Coushatta, Louisiana, serves up some mighty fine barbecue. Besides sandwiches, burgers, seafood, and bulk meats, they serve Southern hospitality with a smile in an environment that feels like home. Open daily, you’ll love the York Chop.
What do you get when you combine Texas barbecue and Cajun flavor? You get Cou-yon’s Bar-B-Q. Located in Port Allen, Louisiana, Cou-Yon’s has the best ribs, seafood around, not to mention the chopped beef, pulled port, sausage, turkey, and fish. Winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, this barbecue joint might just be the best in country! This is simple, serious food where people come together for fun and conversation and leave satisfied. Open every day.