Happy Travelers, what says “summer” more than delicious, smoky barbecue? We’ve found some of the best BBQ joints you’ll find anywhere right here in Pennsylvania — all guaranteed to get your mouth watering and light up your taste buds. Get ready to pack your bags and crisscross the state for a BBQ-filled road trip sure to delight fans of every BBQ style — from tangy Texan to sweet, savory St. Louis, and even Korean! Be sure to check and see which restaurants are offering takeout or dine-in options before heading out.
American Grill
Exeter
The American Grill in Exeter serves up a true Southern culinary experience, with barbecue worthy of taking center stage. Featuring fresh ingredients and bold flavors, the American Grill has an extensive menu of BBQ favorites cooked low and slow over local apple, cherry, or hickory wood and steeped in their signature homemade sauces and rubs. Top off your meal with Southern-style strawberry shortcake or banana pudding to complete your meal!
B3Q Smokehouse
West Pittston
In the mood for some Texas-style brisket, Carolina-style pulled pork, Memphis-style ribs, or the owner’s special recipe chicken?! Satisfy those BBQ cravings with a trip to this true smokehouse where all the meats are smoked, including the wings, and all the accompaniments — from the sauces to the sides — are made in-house. At B3Q Smokehouse, sauces are served on the side, letting you decide just how much or how little Vinegar Sop, Alabama White, Spicy Chipotle, Peach, Mustard, or Signature Sauce you want to slather on top of that delectable meat.
Big Creek Bar-B-Q
Lehighton
The enticing aromas rising from Big Creek Bar-B-Q’s wood-burning roadside pit let you know you’re in for one special barbecue feast. Regular patrons, and visitors alike, rave about the sweet, flavor-filled barbecue sauce, more-than-generous portions, and all-around great food — from the ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and brisket to the super fresh coleslaw and three varieties of baked beans. While a bit off the beaten path, it’s definitely worth the detour!
Harvey's BBQ
Mount Joy
One visit to Harvey’s BBQ and you’ll see why Harvey, aka “The Pitmaster,” has won awards up and down the East Coast and beyond for his barbecue creations. His signature sauce, a Carolina base with distinctive Lancaster touches, and his slow-roasted pulled pork, beef brisket, BBQ chicken, and St. Louis-style spareribs have been satisfying the barbecue cravings of southcentral Pennsylvanians for nearly a quarter century. One taste and you’ll see why!
Hog Father’s Old-Fashioned BBQ
State College, Washington, Canonsburg
With three locations, it’s clear Hog Father’s serves up some seriously good BBQ! Their baby back and St. Louis-style ribs, hickory-smoked in-house, then flame-grilled and caramelized with their signature spicy red BBQ sauce, are a definite fan favorite. Pair those ribs with some southern fried chicken and cornbread for a true taste of the South!
Hood’s BBQ & Deli
Kennett Square
A Chester County favorite, Hood’s BBQ & Deli serves up delicious barbecue — roasted low and slow for up to 16 hours over local hickory logs and fruitwood. The slow-roasted pulled pork “Hoodie” sandwich is a definite crowd pleaser, as are the dry-rubbed baby back ribs, smoked beef brisket, BBQ chicken, and smoked sausage. Be sure to save a little room for one of their homemade desserts, made fresh daily!
Redd’s Smokehouse BBQ
Carlisle
You may think you made a wrong turn and ended up down south after sampling some of Redd’s Smokehouse’s tantalizing BBQ and other authentic southern dishes (Be honest: have you ever seen Brunswick Stew on any menu north of the Mason-Dixon line?) Their meats are all smoked low and slow in the true southern tradition with applewood from local orchards and made even more delicious by the family recipes for the homemade rub, honey mustard BBQ, and ketchup based BBQ sauces brought north by the southern-born owners. True southern BBQ at its best!
Road Hawg BBQ
Dillsburg
Central Pennsylvanians know a good barbecue and have voted Road Hawg the area’s best. Their pulled pork, chopped beef, smoked sausage, and beef brisket “sammiches” (aka “sammies”) are definite crowd pleasers. You may want to add some of their jumbo smoked wings to your order — a Road Hawg specialty — or bring home a few pounds of their delectable barbecue meats or pierogies (served with smoked sausage, of course!).
Skeeter's Pit BBQ
Selinsgrove
Want your mouth-watering BBQ served with a side of stunning views of the Susquehanna River? Skeeter’s Pit BBQ offers all that and a bit more. Enjoy brisket, ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and draft beer. Visit on select Sunday nights and you’ll be entertained by some of the best local and regional musicians.
Fette Sau
Philadelphia
As the only rustic “shotgun shack” you’ll likely find in Philadelphia, you can’t miss Fette Sau (German for “Fat Pig”) in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood, nor would you want to! Specializing in dry-rubbed meats sourced from small, local farms and smoked in-house, you’ll be returning time and again to sample their latest tantalizing barbecue with a menu that changes daily.
Bonus: Fette Sau also offers nine beers on tap and more than 100 North American bourbons and whiskeys from which to choose the perfect complement to your BBQ feast.
Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse
Philadelphia
The sweet aroma of smoldering hickory wood that greets you even before you step through the door is a clear signal you’re in for some great barbecue! In addition to the traditional favorites — slow-roasted Texas beef brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, Memphis baby back ribs, and wings — Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse offers smoked kielbasa and smoked salmon (a Friday night special).
Three B Saloon
Erie
One trip to Three B Saloon and you’ll understand just what those 3 “Bs” stand for: beer, bacon, and barbecue, with all three (bacon shots, anyone?) given center stage at this southern-inspired restaurant. But it’s the barbecue that keeps fans coming back. Seasoned with spice blends then wood-smoked for hours and hours, the barbecue pork and brisket are true winners with their hints of North Carolina, Mississippi, and St. Louis barbecue styles. Top those off with made-to-order mac n’ cheese or cornbread with your choice of add-ins for the complete Three B experience!
Smoke BBQ Taqueria
Pittsburgh
With flavors reflective of the American Southwest and specializing in tacos filled with BBQ meats, Smoke BBQ Taqueria is not your typical BBQ joint. The meats, Wagyu, beef brisket, Berkshire pulled pork, and St. Louis-style ribs, are all roasted overnight and are deemed “competition-worthy” by quite a few BBQ lovers.
Bonus: The tacos are made fresh onsite throughout the day!
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