If you’re convinced you can’t get great barbecue in the Midwest, you’re dead wrong.
While everyone generally prefers a particular barbecue style over another, central Ohio has some great places that excel in just about every style. I asked NBC4 viewers what their favorite barbecue joints in central Ohio are, and here’s what they said:
Tennessee Pitt BBQ
Where: 6091 Cleveland Ave., Columbus
Tennessee Pitt BBQ takes the top spot for best barbecue joints among Columbus viewers. This food truck serves up barbecue classics cooked the right way — with cherry wood and coals. Viewers love the pulled pork and their tasty and tender ribs. Customers also rave about the friendly service.
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit
Where: 2619 N. High St., Columbus (food truck)
424 Town St., Columbus(food truck)
5755 Maxtown Road, Westerville (walk-up window)
Coming in a close second is Ray Ray’s Hog Pit. They pick the best cuts of pork, beef and chicken; dry rub them to perfection and cooked low and slow for 12 to 16 hours in a hardwood smoker. Sauce is served on the side, just like it should be. Customers love the baby back ribs and beef brisket sandwich.
Legacy Smokehouse
Where: 1102 S. High St., Columbus
1112 N. High St., Columbus (Short North Food Hall)
3987 Main St., Hilliard (opening this summer)
If Central Texas-style barbecue is your thing, you’ll want to check out Legacy Smokehouse. The food truck was started by three friends from Grove City and has grown to be a vendor in the Short North Food Hall and they are opening a brick-and-mortar location in Hilliard this summer. Their smoker was actually built in Central Texas, and they draw their inspiration from barbecue pit master legends like Arron Franklin and John Lewis. Viewers love the brisket, baby back ribs and their baked beans.
City Barbeque
Where: 2261 Stringtown Road, Grove City
108 Stylger Road, Gahanna
2111 W. Henderson Road, Columbus
5979 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg
600 S. State St., Westerville
8491 Sancus Blvd., Columbus
3758 W. Powell Road, Powell
1195 W. Church St., Newark
Just about everyone in central Ohio knows about City Barbeque, but if you’ve never been there, you’re missing out on a Columbus-area staple. The locally owned chain has grown over the years to 20 locations in Ohio and multiple locations in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and North Carolina. Every restaurant smokes their meat in on-site offset smokers stocked with local hickory wood. While they don’t specialize in a particular style of barbecue, they’re always tweaking and re-testing their barbecue to make sure it’s some of the best around. If you love brisket, be sure to try the More Cowbell sandwich (brisket, provolone, grilled peppers and onions, and horseradish).
Uncle Beth’s BBQ
Where: 6262 OH-245, North Lewisburg
If you’re looking for a place that can go toe-to-toe with southern barbecue and don’t mind driving about an hour away from Columbus, you should definitely check out Uncle Beth’s in North Lewisburg. The small restaurant has a rustic feel to it, and their barbecue is known as some of the best in the state. Viewers love just about everything here: from the brisket and ribs right down to the authentic side dishes.
Bob’s Backyard Barbeque
Where: 157 W. Main St., Lancaster (restaurant)
Use Street Food Finder to find their food truck
If you’re in the Lancaster area, Bob’s Backyard Barbeque is definitely worth stopping by. If you’re not in the area, you can catch their food truck on the daily for lunch time in Columbus. Customers absolutely love the Mac and Moo sandwich, described as a beef and cheddar on steroids.
Oak Hill Barbecue
Where: 60 N. Columbus St., Sunbury
If you prefer Carolina-style barbecue, make sure you check out Oak Hill Barbecue in Sunbury. This family owned restaurant boasts some of the best Carolina sauce around and customers love the prompt, friendly customer service. Viewers especially love the wings, but if you’re feeling particularly hungry, try the Fatman’s special.
