When thinking of legendary American barbecue, thoughts often drift south toward Texas, Kansas City, or Memphis. But you don't need to take a long journey for incredible BBQ. Great smoked meats can be found right here in the Mid-Atlantic region, making for easy short trips from Philadelphia.
At its core, barbecue (BBQ) is just a method of cooking meat; generally low, slow, and with some smoke. It's done all across the world in some shape or form, but in the United States, calling it "just a method" might land you in some trouble. This culinary style is inextricably tied to the country's culture. Tracing its origins to a single style mastered in the South, BBQ has spread across the continent, adapting its methods, tweaking its taste, and altering its ingredients to match the palate and produce of each region.
Here are the best BBQ joints in each state of the Mid-Atlantic, listed in alphabetical order by state:
Delaware: Bethany Blues (Bethany Beach)
Such is BBQ's enormous reach that even small states like Delaware are producing excellent smoked meats. Bethany Blues at Bethany Beach is the pick of the bunch, offering a suitably hearty counterpoint to the seafood-heavy dining scene along the coast. It combines styles, offering everything from Carolina-style pork to Texas-style brisket. For something more unique, swing for their "Delmarva-Q" dishes, like the Delmarva Chicken or Deviled Egg the latter throwing lump crab meat on for good measure. If the crab pulls you from traditional BBQ, their crab cakes will be waiting for you, too. Their bourbon collection is stunning as well.
Maryland: Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar (Baltimore)
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Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar in Baltimore takes a slightly different route with its brisket, using a coffee rub to give the beef added bitterness and depth. That unique spin is just one reason the restaurant has been highlighted as one of Maryland's best barbecue joints, giving Baltimore another serious smoked-meat destination. Both local publications like the Baltimore Sun and national publications like Southern Living have named it the best in Maryland. It even gets a little bonus for having the best mac and cheese, too. Throw in an epic whiskey selection, and you've got a match made in BBQ heaven.
New Jersey: Red White & Que Smokehouse (Green Brook)
There is no shortage of clever names, and Red White & Que Smokehouse in Green Brook might have the best. Owned by a former Marine, the restaurant specializes in Texas-style barbecue and has been regularly included among the best smoked-meat spots in the state. Its brisket, cooked low and slow until the fat renders into the beef and a dark bark forms around the outside, is the play here, helping garner accolades from the likes of Business Insider and Mashed.
New York: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (Syracuse)
New York City is a dominant culinary force across the world, but it's Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Syracuse that has built a reputation big enough to escape its shadow. Originally founded as a pop-up for hungry bikers in Albany in 1983, it laid roots in Syracuse and has expanded since then, even launching a spot in Harlem. Business Insider named it the best in-state, crediting it with introducing a BBQ-deprived corner of the country to southern-style cooking.
Pennsylvania: Red Rock BBQ (Susquehanna)
Pennsylvania's food scene usually revolves around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but Red Rock BBQ in Susquehanna has helped put northeastern Pennsylvania on the barbecue map. The restaurant's simple but strong menu has appeared on statewide barbecue trails and earned recognition as one of the better smokehouses in the state. The place piles on extra kudos by doubling up as a brewery, too.
Virginia: Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que (Williamsburg)
Williamsburg is far better known for colonial history than barbecue, but Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que has become something of a local institution in its own right. Business Insider gave it the top spot in Virginia, as did Southern Living, while Virginia Living named it a runner-up in its region. The restaurant's chopped pork sandwiches have been feeding locals and visitors for generations now, making it a pretty easy addition to a day otherwise spent surrounded by considerably older Williamsburg attractions.
West Virginia: Rollin' Smoke BBQ (Charleston)
West Virginia doesn't get dragged into many national barbecue arguments, but Rollin' Smoke BBQ in Charleston has done enough to force its way into this one. Southern Living named it the state's best barbecue joint, with brisket among the big reasons for the nod. You can get it piled into a sandwich or platter, while brisket burnt ends regularly appear among the specials. There's even a pepperoni roll on the menu, just in case you needed reminding you were still in West Virginia. The riverside view tops everything off.
Ready for a Smokin' Road Trip?
So, what are you waiting for? Incredible, finger-licking barbecue is closer than you think! Whether you're craving coffee-rubbed brisket in Baltimore, a quick drive for Texas-style bark in New Jersey, or a pepperoni roll with a side of ribs along a scenic West Virginia river, your ultimate smoky adventure is calling. Grab your road trip playlist, map out your route, and hit the open road for the ultimate Mid-Atlantic flavor tour. Pack your fork and plenty of extra napkins, because your taste buds are in for one wild, delicious ride!
