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Chopped beef at Pecos Pit
Pecos Pit

9 Terrific Barbecue Restaurants in the Seattle Area

Pulled pork, ribs, brisket, smoked bologna sandwiches, and more

by Jade Yamazaki Stewart, Harry Cheadle, and Eater Staff Updated
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Chopped beef at Pecos Pit
| Pecos Pit
by Jade Yamazaki Stewart, Harry Cheadle, and Eater Staff Updated

Writing about Seattle barbecue means that you have to preface everything with, “Seattle isn’t known for its barbecue...” or “Though not a traditional barbecue hub...” Look, we know Seattle doesn’t have the barbecue tradition of cities like Kansas City or Austin. But we hate badmouthing our own town, and it’s not like the Seattle isn’t blessed with great meat or doesn’t have the technological sophistication necessary to smoke brisket. We have plenty of smokehouses and barbecue spots doing great work. Here are nine of our favorites, as usual not ranked but organized geographically.

Know of a spot that should be on our radar? Send us a tip by emailing seattle@eater.com. As usual, this list is not ranked; it’s organized geographically.

(Note: This list sticks to restaurants serving American-style barbecue. Some of the many great Japanese and Korean barbecue restaurants in the Seattle area can be found on Eater Seattle’s Japanese and Korean cuisine maps.)

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Brileys BBQ and Grill

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Brileys in Lake Forest Park draws in many fans for good reason. The restaurant's Southern Pride SPK 500 smoker imparts the flavor of cherry and applewood into everything from sausages to brisket, ribs, and chicken. Sides are a big focus here, too, and the Brileys Fries, topped with barbecue sauce and Brunswick stew, are a must.

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

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RoRo BBQ

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Wallingford’s RoRo BBQ has been in business since 2006, and now that it’s surrounded by freshly constructed mixed-use buildings it feels like an anachronism, a cozy little house of meat tucked away from the world. There are some fun features on this menu, like pork rinds with sriracha seasoning or Seattle Succotash, a mixture of corn, black beans, and edamame with a cilantro-lime dressing. They even have a “BBQ Sundae,” which is your choice of meat plus two sides all piled into a bowl — a premium version of a KFC Famous Bowl.

3620 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 954-1100
(206) 954-1100

The Barbeque Pit

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At this Central District fixture, pitmaster Ed “Pookey” Whitfield presides over a wonderful array of pulled pork, beef, brisket, chicken, and ribs. The smoked meats are paired with candied yams, mac and cheese, potato salad — all the classics, crafted with care.

1816 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 325-3205
(206) 325-3205
A close-up image of barbecued ribs at the Barbeque Pit
Ribs are one specialty at the Barbeque Pit.
The Barbeque Pit [Official Photo]

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Pecos Pit

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This Seattle mainstay has been slinging smoked meats for more than 40 years now, and it’s still going strong. While other places may have a bit more flash, the SoDo Pecos continues to charm, with its signature lighted hog sign out front and reliably tender brisket. In partnership with Red Robin founder Gerry Kingen, Pecos is planning to expand aggressively, and now has outposts in West Seattle and Yelm, with more on the way.

2260 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 623-0629
(206) 623-0629
A pile of chopped brisket Pecos Pit

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Jack's BBQ

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Jack Timmons — a Texas transplant and former Microsoft employee — got his start in the biz when he created the Seattle Brisket Experience, with an offset smoker and loads of oak, mesquite, and hickory. Fans of his SoDo restaurant (with other locations in South Lake Union, Columbia Tower and Algona) have long sought out its terrific menu items, including Frito pie, rib tips, barbecue tacos, smoked cocktails, and, of course, brisket.

3942 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 467-4038
(206) 467-4038

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Lil Red Takeout and Catering

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Southern barbecue meets Jamaican flavors at this takeout-only restaurant and catering operation in Columbia City. The menu ranges from fantastic jerk fried chicken and waffles to barbecue wings to a delectable smoked and fried bologna sandwich. The restaurant also offers catering with platters of ribs, barbecue chicken, brisket, and more. In 2021, Lil Red was listed among one of national barbecue expert Adrian Miller’s 20 favorite Black-owned barbecue restaurants in the U.S.

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
Lil Red is a South Seattle gem that incorporates Jamaican flavors.
Lil Red Takeout and Catering

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Jones Barbeque

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West Seattle has a nice little barbecue corridor going, with Pecos, Lady Jaye, and this unassuming spot on Fauntleroy Way. Here, diners will find terrific rib tips and chopped pork smothered in a barbecue sauce so tangy, it’ll be tempting to buy giant jars of it (sold for retail at the shop).

4417 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 739-6169
(206) 739-6169

Lady Jaye

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Smoke is a central theme at Lady Jaye, which has a 2,000-pound smoker dubbed “Cletus.” It turns out such delights as bulgogi short ribs, pork belly burnt ends, and smoked bologna sandwiches. The meat pairs perfectly with the bourbon and rye-heavy cocktail menu, including the smoked old fashioned.

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

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Emma's BBQ

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This small restaurant in Hillman City has been serving some of Seattle's best barbecue for years, without making a huge fuss about it. Certainly the massive portions of smoked meat, inspired by owner Tess Thomas’s roots in Arkansas and Memphis, are still turning heads, with piles of succulent pulled pork, brisket, and chicken, alongside terrific cornbread and collard greens.

5303 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98118
(206) 413-1523
(206) 413-1523
A barbecue grill filled with sausages, ribs, and other meats
Emma’s BBQ in Hillman City features some of the city’s best smoked meats.
Emma’s BBQ/Facebook

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Brileys BBQ and Grill

15030 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

Brileys in Lake Forest Park draws in many fans for good reason. The restaurant's Southern Pride SPK 500 smoker imparts the flavor of cherry and applewood into everything from sausages to brisket, ribs, and chicken. Sides are a big focus here, too, and the Brileys Fries, topped with barbecue sauce and Brunswick stew, are a must.

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

RoRo BBQ

3620 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103

Wallingford’s RoRo BBQ has been in business since 2006, and now that it’s surrounded by freshly constructed mixed-use buildings it feels like an anachronism, a cozy little house of meat tucked away from the world. There are some fun features on this menu, like pork rinds with sriracha seasoning or Seattle Succotash, a mixture of corn, black beans, and edamame with a cilantro-lime dressing. They even have a “BBQ Sundae,” which is your choice of meat plus two sides all piled into a bowl — a premium version of a KFC Famous Bowl.

3620 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 954-1100
(206) 954-1100

The Barbeque Pit

1816 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122

At this Central District fixture, pitmaster Ed “Pookey” Whitfield presides over a wonderful array of pulled pork, beef, brisket, chicken, and ribs. The smoked meats are paired with candied yams, mac and cheese, potato salad — all the classics, crafted with care.

1816 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 325-3205
(206) 325-3205
A close-up image of barbecued ribs at the Barbeque Pit
Ribs are one specialty at the Barbeque Pit.
The Barbeque Pit [Official Photo]

Pecos Pit

2260 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134

This Seattle mainstay has been slinging smoked meats for more than 40 years now, and it’s still going strong. While other places may have a bit more flash, the SoDo Pecos continues to charm, with its signature lighted hog sign out front and reliably tender brisket. In partnership with Red Robin founder Gerry Kingen, Pecos is planning to expand aggressively, and now has outposts in West Seattle and Yelm, with more on the way.

2260 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 623-0629
(206) 623-0629
A pile of chopped brisket Pecos Pit

Jack's BBQ

3942 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98108

Jack Timmons — a Texas transplant and former Microsoft employee — got his start in the biz when he created the Seattle Brisket Experience, with an offset smoker and loads of oak, mesquite, and hickory. Fans of his SoDo restaurant (with other locations in South Lake Union, Columbia Tower and Algona) have long sought out its terrific menu items, including Frito pie, rib tips, barbecue tacos, smoked cocktails, and, of course, brisket.

3942 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 467-4038
(206) 467-4038

Lil Red Takeout and Catering

4225 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

Southern barbecue meets Jamaican flavors at this takeout-only restaurant and catering operation in Columbia City. The menu ranges from fantastic jerk fried chicken and waffles to barbecue wings to a delectable smoked and fried bologna sandwich. The restaurant also offers catering with platters of ribs, barbecue chicken, brisket, and more. In 2021, Lil Red was listed among one of national barbecue expert Adrian Miller’s 20 favorite Black-owned barbecue restaurants in the U.S.

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
Lil Red is a South Seattle gem that incorporates Jamaican flavors.
Lil Red Takeout and Catering

Jones Barbeque

4417 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98126

West Seattle has a nice little barbecue corridor going, with Pecos, Lady Jaye, and this unassuming spot on Fauntleroy Way. Here, diners will find terrific rib tips and chopped pork smothered in a barbecue sauce so tangy, it’ll be tempting to buy giant jars of it (sold for retail at the shop).

4417 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 739-6169
(206) 739-6169

Lady Jaye

4523 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116

Smoke is a central theme at Lady Jaye, which has a 2,000-pound smoker dubbed “Cletus.” It turns out such delights as bulgogi short ribs, pork belly burnt ends, and smoked bologna sandwiches. The meat pairs perfectly with the bourbon and rye-heavy cocktail menu, including the smoked old fashioned.

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

Emma's BBQ

5303 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98118

This small restaurant in Hillman City has been serving some of Seattle's best barbecue for years, without making a huge fuss about it. Certainly the massive portions of smoked meat, inspired by owner Tess Thomas’s roots in Arkansas and Memphis, are still turning heads, with piles of succulent pulled pork, brisket, and chicken, alongside terrific cornbread and collard greens.

5303 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98118
(206) 413-1523
(206) 413-1523
A barbecue grill filled with sausages, ribs, and other meats
Emma’s BBQ in Hillman City features some of the city’s best smoked meats.
Emma’s BBQ/Facebook

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