clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

Where to Eat Brunch in New Orleans Right Now

The Hottest New Restaurants in New Orleans, June 2023

22 Essential Po’ Boy Spots in and Around New Orleans

More in New Orleans See more maps
The Joint
The Joint
Photo: Nikki Mayeux

New Orleans Magazine's Best Barbecue Picks, Mapped

by Gwendolyn Knapp
4 comments / new
View as Map
The Joint
| Photo: Nikki Mayeux
by Gwendolyn Knapp
4 comments / new

This month New Orleans Magazine delves into the wonderful world of 'hipster barbecue' and, well, not-so-hipster barbecue, with food writer Sara Roahen's extensive guide to The Best Barbecue in New Orleans. Roahen spent months researching (ie. gorging herself on sexy smoked meats) over two-dozen barbecue restaurants and divides her favorites into categories such as Best Ribs, Best Sauces, Best Desserts, Best Sides, and Best White Bread Alternatives. Rob Bechtold's impeccable pop-up NOLA Smokehouse takes the Overall Win.

Roahen notes the emergence of younger pitmasters, who are "elevating the quality of smoked meats in New Orleans" with a "craftsman's zeal" (noting McClure's, Squeal, and Shortall's)? and food historian Rien Fertel calls this modern movement "hipster barbecue." In any respect, they're pushing New Orleans to finally have a decent (and competitive) barbecue scene, one that covers all regions, and that's pretty sweet. Here, Eater NOLA has rounded up Roahen's top barbecue picks in map form. Without further adieu... here's where to eat barbecue in New Orleans right now.


Even more notable barbecue from Roahen's article:

· Black Label Barbecue
· Boucherie
· Ugly Dog Saloon
· Blue Hickory
· BBQ N Some
· Whole Hog Cafe
· Voodoo Barbecue
· Sweet Daddy's Barbecue
· Saucy's
· Ted's Smokehouse
· Corkys

· The Best Barbecue in New Orleans [NewOrleansMag]
· All ZOMGBBQ! [-ENOLA-]

Read More

Nola Smokehouse

Copy Link
"Overall Best Barbecue" in New Olreans, Roahen proclaims of Rob Bechtold's roving pop up, NOLA Smokehouse: "heaps of glistening pulled pork, equally unctuous beef brisket, strongly smoked pork ribs paved with a caramelized layer of rub and coal-black burnt brisket ends threaded with ribbons of melting fat." He pops up at The Pit Stop on Mon/Wed, but check Facebook for updates.
4117 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121

McClure's Barbecue

Copy Link
Runner up for Best Pork: "The 'pulled' pork appears to be pulled, tugged and roughly chopped, according to what different sections of the shoulder demand. Each portion contains a few welcome bits of candy-like char." Also a favorite for sauce selection, sides, and local products.
4800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115

Also featured in:

Cochon

Copy Link
Best Fine Dining: "The restaurant’s signature cochon de lait – an homage to the southwest Louisiana custom of cooking a whole pig outdoors over a raging wood fire – still reigns supreme in the New Orleans barbecue sweepstakes."
New Orleans, LA

Also featured in:

Walker's BBQ

Copy Link
This New Orleans East (and Cochon du Lait Jazz Fest vendor) favorite gets Best Pork and Best Sauce: "gorgeous, fat-moistened, multi-textured, moderately smoked portions of pig that do the animal’s sacrifice justice every time." Pitmaster Johnathan Walker calls their sauce "New Orleans-style, baby.”
10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
(504) 241-8227
(504) 241-8227

Also featured in:

The Joint

Copy Link
Reasons to go to this Bywater barbecue dreamland? "Dreamy peanut butter cream pie," locally made chaurice, and the dry-rubbed brisket of "unusual tenderness," not to mention all the kitschy art and outdoor seating area.
New Orleans, LA

Ms. Hyster's

Copy Link
The Best Ribs in New Orleans, according to Roahen, are found at this Central City haunt: "tooth-tender, sheathed in a chewy caramel char and smothered in a tomato-based sauce with a latent kick of heat." Though not always available when you want them to be. They also make "cupcake sweet" cornbread.
2000 South Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125

Shortall's in Twelve Mile Limit

Copy Link
A top pick for brisket: "This is more like your Illinois grandma’s brisket and gravy." Also a good spot for inexpensive craft cocktails, smoked sausage covered in a glaze of maple syrup and stout beer, and for dessert...Debbie Does Doberge cake... inside the unassuming Twelve Mile Limit.
500 S Telemachus St, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 488-8114
(504) 488-8114

Also featured in:

Hillbilly Bar-B-Q

Copy Link
Runner-up for Best Ribs, plus amazing Boudin and sides. Here, pitmaster Larry Wyatt’s tosses the Boudin on the grate for a cripsy finish, plus the "hobo taters" are the best "warm, eggy potato salad" you ever had.
2317 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123
(504) 738-1508
(504) 738-1508

Boo Koo BBQ

Copy Link
A "boneless barbecue short rib sandwich?" Yes, at this Finn McCool's pop up, sandwiches are the name of the game: "Built upon a soft, brioche-like bun and served with crisp, skin-on french fries for a nominal charge, the sandwich validated my insurrection."
3701 Banks St (inside Finn McCools), New Orleans, LA 70119

Squeal BBQ

Copy Link
For "legitimate" barbecue nachos, head to this Oak Street staple: "pulled pork, black beans, crisp tortilla chips and slices of fresh jalapeño communed beneath an even melt of cheddar cheese."
8400 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 302-7370
(504) 302-7370

Blue Oak in Chickie Wah Wah

Copy Link
Now open inside Chickie Wah Wah, the Blue Oak pop up (formely in Grits) is known for their chicken: "smoked wings come in six varieties, including 'Naked'" and "spicy Thai-style Rooster sauce."
2828 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 304-4714
(504) 304-4714

Also featured in:

Bar-B-Q Kings

Copy Link
This Gentilly favorite "is the only place on the tour where I encountered beef ribs, the mammoth bones of which always elicit Fred Flintstone references. The pitmaster also smokes tilapia fillets," writes Roahen.
2164 Milton St, New Orleans, LA 70122

Hickory Prime BBQ

Copy Link
This barbecue joint overlooking Navigational Canal at Pontchartrain Landing has a swimming pool, y'all. Like, a swimming pool that's open for customer use. There's also "a cabana-style bar" making this Roahen's top choice for ambience. Plus, they have a cobbler that will blow your mind.
6001 France Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126
(757) 277-8507
(757) 277-8507

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Nola Smokehouse

4117 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121
"Overall Best Barbecue" in New Olreans, Roahen proclaims of Rob Bechtold's roving pop up, NOLA Smokehouse: "heaps of glistening pulled pork, equally unctuous beef brisket, strongly smoked pork ribs paved with a caramelized layer of rub and coal-black burnt brisket ends threaded with ribbons of melting fat." He pops up at The Pit Stop on Mon/Wed, but check Facebook for updates.
4117 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121

McClure's Barbecue

4800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115
Runner up for Best Pork: "The 'pulled' pork appears to be pulled, tugged and roughly chopped, according to what different sections of the shoulder demand. Each portion contains a few welcome bits of candy-like char." Also a favorite for sauce selection, sides, and local products.
4800 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70115

Cochon

New Orleans, LA
Best Fine Dining: "The restaurant’s signature cochon de lait – an homage to the southwest Louisiana custom of cooking a whole pig outdoors over a raging wood fire – still reigns supreme in the New Orleans barbecue sweepstakes."
New Orleans, LA

Walker's BBQ

10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
This New Orleans East (and Cochon du Lait Jazz Fest vendor) favorite gets Best Pork and Best Sauce: "gorgeous, fat-moistened, multi-textured, moderately smoked portions of pig that do the animal’s sacrifice justice every time." Pitmaster Johnathan Walker calls their sauce "New Orleans-style, baby.”
10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
(504) 241-8227
(504) 241-8227

The Joint

New Orleans, LA
Reasons to go to this Bywater barbecue dreamland? "Dreamy peanut butter cream pie," locally made chaurice, and the dry-rubbed brisket of "unusual tenderness," not to mention all the kitschy art and outdoor seating area.
New Orleans, LA

Ms. Hyster's

2000 South Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125
The Best Ribs in New Orleans, according to Roahen, are found at this Central City haunt: "tooth-tender, sheathed in a chewy caramel char and smothered in a tomato-based sauce with a latent kick of heat." Though not always available when you want them to be. They also make "cupcake sweet" cornbread.
2000 South Claiborne Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70125

Shortall's in Twelve Mile Limit

500 S Telemachus St, New Orleans, LA 70119
A top pick for brisket: "This is more like your Illinois grandma’s brisket and gravy." Also a good spot for inexpensive craft cocktails, smoked sausage covered in a glaze of maple syrup and stout beer, and for dessert...Debbie Does Doberge cake... inside the unassuming Twelve Mile Limit.
500 S Telemachus St, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 488-8114
(504) 488-8114

Hillbilly Bar-B-Q

2317 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123
Runner-up for Best Ribs, plus amazing Boudin and sides. Here, pitmaster Larry Wyatt’s tosses the Boudin on the grate for a cripsy finish, plus the "hobo taters" are the best "warm, eggy potato salad" you ever had.
2317 Hickory Ave, Harahan, LA 70123
(504) 738-1508
(504) 738-1508

Boo Koo BBQ

3701 Banks St (inside Finn McCools), New Orleans, LA 70119
A "boneless barbecue short rib sandwich?" Yes, at this Finn McCool's pop up, sandwiches are the name of the game: "Built upon a soft, brioche-like bun and served with crisp, skin-on french fries for a nominal charge, the sandwich validated my insurrection."
3701 Banks St (inside Finn McCools), New Orleans, LA 70119

Squeal BBQ

8400 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
For "legitimate" barbecue nachos, head to this Oak Street staple: "pulled pork, black beans, crisp tortilla chips and slices of fresh jalapeño communed beneath an even melt of cheddar cheese."
8400 Oak St, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 302-7370
(504) 302-7370

Blue Oak in Chickie Wah Wah

2828 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119
Now open inside Chickie Wah Wah, the Blue Oak pop up (formely in Grits) is known for their chicken: "smoked wings come in six varieties, including 'Naked'" and "spicy Thai-style Rooster sauce."
2828 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 304-4714
(504) 304-4714

Bar-B-Q Kings

2164 Milton St, New Orleans, LA 70122
This Gentilly favorite "is the only place on the tour where I encountered beef ribs, the mammoth bones of which always elicit Fred Flintstone references. The pitmaster also smokes tilapia fillets," writes Roahen.
2164 Milton St, New Orleans, LA 70122

Hickory Prime BBQ

6001 France Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126
This barbecue joint overlooking Navigational Canal at Pontchartrain Landing has a swimming pool, y'all. Like, a swimming pool that's open for customer use. There's also "a cabana-style bar" making this Roahen's top choice for ambience. Plus, they have a cobbler that will blow your mind.
6001 France Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126
(757) 277-8507
(757) 277-8507

Related Maps