clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

25 Essential Capitol Hill Restaurants

Delightful Doughnuts in the Seattle Area

14 Terrific Restaurants for Vegan Food in Seattle

A closeup of a plate of ribs at Lil Red Takeout & Catering, with a cornbread muffin next to it and other sides in the background
Ribs and sides at Lil Red Takeout & Catering
Lil Red Takeout & Catering [Official Photo]

Where to Order Labor Day Weekend Barbecue for Takeout and Delivery

Smoked meats and sides for those staying home

by Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
Ribs and sides at Lil Red Takeout & Catering
| Lil Red Takeout & Catering [Official Photo]
by Eater Staff Updated

Even with dining rooms and patios in Seattle allowed to open at 50 percent capacity, Labor Day weekend may be a quieter celebration this year during the COVID-19 pandemic. But that doesn’t mean families (or roommates) can’t hold a small, stay-at-home backyard barbecue. Here are some of the best spots to get wonderful brisket, ribs, sides, and even some cocktails to-go, listed north to south. Since services shift often now, call ahead to make sure each restaurant is still open (places with limited dine-in services are noted). And if you see any changes, or if there’s a place you’d like considered for the list, send us a tip.

Read More
Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

Brileys BBQ and Grill

Copy Link

This Lake Forest Way restaurant has a smoker that imparts the flavor of cherry- and applewood into everything, from sausages to brisket, ribs, and chicken, available by the pound. The fries are pretty solid, too, especially topped with barbecue sauce and Brunswick stew. Open for takeout with curbside pickup (and its patio is open for sit-down service).

15030 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 466-1589
(206) 466-1589

Bitterroot BBQ

Copy Link

Ballard’s barbecue specialist serves outstanding sandwiches, such as the pepperoncini-braised beef, as well as big platters of meat, from pork belly to ribs to smoked chicken. There’s beer, wine, and cocktail kits to-go as well. Available for takeout and delivery through Chownow, and limited outdoor seating.

5239 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 588-1577
(206) 588-1577

Also featured in:

Jack's BBQ

Copy Link

The barbecue purveyor in South Lake Union — known for its Frito pie, rib tips, barbecue tacos, and brisket — continues to expand as it offers takeout and delivery. There’s also limited dine-in services at its SoDo location, which has a patio.

228 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 708-7642
(206) 708-7642

Also featured in:

Meaty Johnson's BBQ

Copy Link

This Capitol Hill restaurant often sells out of standards such as brisket and pulled pork, which are sold by the pound. It also serves Uli’s hot links, St. Louis ribs, chili, mac and cheese, kimchi potato salad, and jalapeño cornbread. Available for takeout with curbside pickup. Closed Monday.

1201 Pine St #1931, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 588-1471
(206) 588-1471

Meet Korean BBQ

Copy Link

The new Capitol Hill Korean barbecue spot has launched a takeout and delivery service in conjunction with sibling restaurant Chan. Items include chicken wings, and bulgogi sliders, as well as a chef’s choice of four cuts of assorted meats, either grilled or raw, with japchae, banchan, ssam, and pa muchim. It’s also open for limited dine-in services.

500 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 695-2621
(206) 695-2621

Also featured in:

Ben Paris

Copy Link

This summer, the State Hotel’s brunch and drinks destination has turned Sundays into a barbecue feast, featuring shrimp skewers, pork ribs, andouille sausage, baked beans, mac salad, collard greens, and cornbread (available as a family meal that feeds four). There are also cocktails to-go, including bloody marys, Manhattans, and hurricane punches.

130 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 513-7303
(206) 513-7303

Also featured in:

Ivar's Acres of Clams

Copy Link

For the first time in the 82 year-old history of Ivar’s, there’s a full-fledged barbecue menu section. Among the new items at Ivar’s Acres of Clams and Salmon House (available for delivery and pickup with online ordering) include racks of spare ribs, pulled pork, and Uli’s Famous Sausage Louisiana hot links.

1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 624-6852
(206) 624-6852
A half rack of ribs with barbecue sauce and beans on the side
Ivar’s recently got into the barbecue business.
Ivar’s Acres of Clams [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Wood Shop BBQ

Copy Link

Owners Matt Davis and James Barrington bring flavors from their Texas and Kansas childhoods via a food truck and this Central District restaurant, which reopened for takeout and delivery earlier this summer. The meat is hickory-smoked in a custom Texas-built smoker named Brad Pit, and must-have sides include the mac and cheese topped with 12-hour pulled pork.

2513 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 485-7381
(206) 485-7381

Also featured in:

The Barbecue Pit

Copy Link

This longtime no-frills favorite — known for its smoked ribs and hot links — reopened this summer at 17th Ave and East Yesler Way, after it closed down its previous location at 23rd Ave and East Cherry Street in 2019. Owner Edward “Pookey” Whitfield’s strong reputation as one of the city’s best barbecue chefs continues.

2000 23rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Smoked ribs lathered in barbecue sauce
The Barbecue Pit has been selling its popular ribs around town for years.
The Barbecue Pit/Facebook

Also featured in:

Buddha Bruddah

Copy Link

What started as a food truck turned into a fast casual restaurant on Rainier Ave, with combinations of Thai dishes and items inspired by the Hawaiian plate lunch. It now has a full barbecue set up in its back lot, grilling up items like crispy pork belly, sticky and spicy ribs, and Thai sausages, available for takeout or delivery.

2201 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 556-4134
(206) 556-4134

Also featured in:

Pecos Pit

Copy Link

There are excellent pulled pork sandwiches and hot links at this converted gas station in SoDo (with some food trucks around Seattle, Bellevue, Woodinville, and Everett). Pecos has been giving back as well, donating 100 meals every month to health care workers and others on the frontlines of the pandemic.

2260 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 623-0629
(206) 623-0629

Also featured in:

Lil Red Takeout & Catering

Copy Link

This unassuming catering operation on Rainier Ave S is one of the better barbecue places in town, with an extensive menu of Jamaican jerk chicken, whole snapper, oxtail, and wings, along with satisfying sides, such as fried yams. It also recently acquired a new slicer for house-smoked bacon and sausages.

4225 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 760-2931
(206) 760-2931
A closeup of a plate of ribs at Lil Red Takeout & Catering, with a cornbread muffin next to it and other sides in the background
Ribs with sides
Lil Red Takeout & Catering [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Lady Jaye

Copy Link

This West Seattle smokehouse has takeout meals that can feed four or more people, with items that have recently included smoked bologna sandwiches, prime bulgogi short rib melts, fried pork shank confit, and black pepper biscuits. There are also a few bottled premixed cocktails to-go, and the patio is open for limited seating.

4523 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 457-4029
(206) 457-4029

Also featured in:

Emma's BBQ

Copy Link

Pulled pork, brisket, chicken, and sides like cornbread, mac, collard greens, and baked beans are all worth a visit to this Hillman City classic. There’s takeout Thursday through Saturday, with an outdoor grill cooking up a variety of meats for pickup earlier in the week, on occasion, until the restaurant sells out.

5303 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 413-1523
(206) 413-1523
A giant smoker in the back of Emma’s BBQ in Hillman City
Emma’s BBQ delivers smoked meats and satisfying sides in South Seattle.
Emma’s BBQ/Facebook

Also featured in:

Drunky Two Shoes BBQ White Center

Copy Link

Some may bristle at the garish decor at this White Center spot, but the meat selection is no joke. Best bets include the rib tips, smoked bone marrow, and the barbecue parfait: a jar of meat and sides. Available for takeout with curbside pickup; larger orders can be delivered.

9655 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 829-9540
(206) 829-9540

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2022 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Brileys BBQ and Grill

15030 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

This Lake Forest Way restaurant has a smoker that imparts the flavor of cherry- and applewood into everything, from sausages to brisket, ribs, and chicken, available by the pound. The fries are pretty solid, too, especially topped with barbecue sauce and Brunswick stew. Open for takeout with curbside pickup (and its patio is open for sit-down service).

15030 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
(206) 466-1589
(206) 466-1589

Bitterroot BBQ

5239 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Ballard’s barbecue specialist serves outstanding sandwiches, such as the pepperoncini-braised beef, as well as big platters of meat, from pork belly to ribs to smoked chicken. There’s beer, wine, and cocktail kits to-go as well. Available for takeout and delivery through Chownow, and limited outdoor seating.

5239 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 588-1577
(206) 588-1577

Jack's BBQ

228 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98109

The barbecue purveyor in South Lake Union — known for its Frito pie, rib tips, barbecue tacos, and brisket — continues to expand as it offers takeout and delivery. There’s also limited dine-in services at its SoDo location, which has a patio.

228 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 708-7642
(206) 708-7642

Meaty Johnson's BBQ

1201 Pine St #1931, Seattle, WA 98101

This Capitol Hill restaurant often sells out of standards such as brisket and pulled pork, which are sold by the pound. It also serves Uli’s hot links, St. Louis ribs, chili, mac and cheese, kimchi potato salad, and jalapeño cornbread. Available for takeout with curbside pickup. Closed Monday.

1201 Pine St #1931, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 588-1471
(206) 588-1471

Meet Korean BBQ

500 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122

The new Capitol Hill Korean barbecue spot has launched a takeout and delivery service in conjunction with sibling restaurant Chan. Items include chicken wings, and bulgogi sliders, as well as a chef’s choice of four cuts of assorted meats, either grilled or raw, with japchae, banchan, ssam, and pa muchim. It’s also open for limited dine-in services.

500 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 695-2621
(206) 695-2621

Ben Paris

130 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101

This summer, the State Hotel’s brunch and drinks destination has turned Sundays into a barbecue feast, featuring shrimp skewers, pork ribs, andouille sausage, baked beans, mac salad, collard greens, and cornbread (available as a family meal that feeds four). There are also cocktails to-go, including bloody marys, Manhattans, and hurricane punches.

130 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 513-7303
(206) 513-7303

Ivar's Acres of Clams

1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104
A half rack of ribs with barbecue sauce and beans on the side
Ivar’s recently got into the barbecue business.
Ivar’s Acres of Clams [Official Photo]

For the first time in the 82 year-old history of Ivar’s, there’s a full-fledged barbecue menu section. Among the new items at Ivar’s Acres of Clams and Salmon House (available for delivery and pickup with online ordering) include racks of spare ribs, pulled pork, and Uli’s Famous Sausage Louisiana hot links.

1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 624-6852
(206) 624-6852
A half rack of ribs with barbecue sauce and beans on the side
Ivar’s recently got into the barbecue business.
Ivar’s Acres of Clams [Official Photo]

Wood Shop BBQ

2513 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144

Owners Matt Davis and James Barrington bring flavors from their Texas and Kansas childhoods via a food truck and this Central District restaurant, which reopened for takeout and delivery earlier this summer. The meat is hickory-smoked in a custom Texas-built smoker named Brad Pit, and must-have sides include the mac and cheese topped with 12-hour pulled pork.

2513 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 485-7381
(206) 485-7381

The Barbecue Pit

2000 23rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Smoked ribs lathered in barbecue sauce
The Barbecue Pit has been selling its popular ribs around town for years.
The Barbecue Pit/Facebook

This longtime no-frills favorite — known for its smoked ribs and hot links — reopened this summer at 17th Ave and East Yesler Way, after it closed down its previous location at 23rd Ave and East Cherry Street in 2019. Owner Edward “Pookey” Whitfield’s strong reputation as one of the city’s best barbecue chefs continues.

2000 23rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Smoked ribs lathered in barbecue sauce
The Barbecue Pit has been selling its popular ribs around town for years.
The Barbecue Pit/Facebook

Buddha Bruddah

2201 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144

What started as a food truck turned into a fast casual restaurant on Rainier Ave, with combinations of Thai dishes and items inspired by the Hawaiian plate lunch. It now has a full barbecue set up in its back lot, grilling up items like crispy pork belly, sticky and spicy ribs, and Thai sausages, available for takeout or delivery.

2201 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 556-4134
(206) 556-4134

Pecos Pit

2260 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134

There are excellent pulled pork sandwiches and hot links at this converted gas station in SoDo (with some food trucks around Seattle, Bellevue, Woodinville, and Everett). Pecos has been giving back as well, donating 100 meals every month to health care workers and others on the frontlines of the pandemic.

2260 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 623-0629
(206) 623-0629

Lil Red Takeout & Catering

4225 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
A closeup of a plate of ribs at Lil Red Takeout & Catering, with a cornbread muffin next to it and other sides in the background
Ribs with sides
Lil Red Takeout & Catering [Official Photo]

This unassuming catering operation on Rainier Ave S is one of the better barbecue places in town, with an extensive menu of Jamaican jerk chicken, whole snapper, oxtail, and wings, along with satisfying sides, such as fried yams. It also recently acquired a new slicer for house-smoked bacon and sausages.

4225 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 760-2931
(206) 760-2931
A closeup of a plate of ribs at Lil Red Takeout & Catering, with a cornbread muffin next to it and other sides in the background
Ribs with sides
Lil Red Takeout & Catering [Official Photo]

Lady Jaye

4523 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

This West Seattle smokehouse has takeout meals that can feed four or more people, with items that have recently included smoked bologna sandwiches, prime bulgogi short rib melts, fried pork shank confit, and black pepper biscuits. There are also a few bottled premixed cocktails to-go, and the patio is open for limited seating.

4523 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 457-4029
(206) 457-4029

Emma's BBQ

5303 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
A giant smoker in the back of Emma’s BBQ in Hillman City
Emma’s BBQ delivers smoked meats and satisfying sides in South Seattle.
Emma’s BBQ/Facebook

Pulled pork, brisket, chicken, and sides like cornbread, mac, collard greens, and baked beans are all worth a visit to this Hillman City classic. There’s takeout Thursday through Saturday, with an outdoor grill cooking up a variety of meats for pickup earlier in the week, on occasion, until the restaurant sells out.

5303 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 413-1523
(206) 413-1523
A giant smoker in the back of Emma’s BBQ in Hillman City
Emma’s BBQ delivers smoked meats and satisfying sides in South Seattle.
Emma’s BBQ/Facebook

Drunky Two Shoes BBQ White Center

9655 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106

Some may bristle at the garish decor at this White Center spot, but the meat selection is no joke. Best bets include the rib tips, smoked bone marrow, and the barbecue parfait: a jar of meat and sides. Available for takeout with curbside pickup; larger orders can be delivered.

9655 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
(206) 829-9540
(206) 829-9540

Related Maps