Barbecue is an essential American cuisine that has skyrocketed in popularity the last 20 years. Southern Illinois has no shortage of top-notch BBQ joints, so we put together a list of some of the best barbecue places Downstate Illinois has to offer.
Pullin’ Pork is a small business, built by a local student, that has continued to grow in Greenville. This food truck is known for their unbelievable pulled pork nachos. Pullin’ Pork has become a community favorite that you don’t want to miss!
There is a food truck out of Marshall that attracts folks from miles around each day that they vend. Roosters & Rumps BBQ dishes out some unique items including their Bacon Explosion Balls. Their most popular item is the T-Rex, which is a baked potato topped with pulled pork, cheese, sour cream, and barbecue sauce. Pro tip, they often run out wherever they vend – so make sure to get there early!
Poor Little Mikey’s Choo Choo Barbecue is a favorite of the locals due to their great service and generous meal portions. Their Smoked Texas Style Beef Brisket is to die for, not to mention their delicious baked potato loaded with cheese and meat! Enjoy some amazing BBQ at Poor Little Mikey’s Choo Choo Barbecue!
ln Toledo, Squatter’s Knob BBQ has a delicious BBQ sauce that you are sure to love. In fact, you will likely love it so much that you may want to buy a bottle of their Sweet N’ Sticky With a Lil’ Heat BBQ sauce for yourself! Enjoy the food at Squatter’s Knob BBQ and then take some of the sauce home with you so you can enjoy it again!
Deep South in McLeansboro serves up some of the best BBQ you’ll ever taste! With a cozy atmosphere and delicious ribs, Deep South has become a favorite of the locals, and we are confident that you’ll love it too!
Mad Pig Bar-B-Q in Lawrenceville has some of the best ribs around! The restaurant prides themselves on only using dry rubs on their meat and then slowly smoking it, creating some incredible BBQ. You will definitely want to go taste their delicious BBQ that is made fresh every day!
Urban Farmhouse in Highland serves up one of the best BBQ burgers you’ll ever have! Served with crisp bacon, cheddar cheese, fresh onions, and of course BBQ, this burger will leave you wanting more! Not feeling a burger. Check out their delicious pulled pork sandwich!
With a population of just under 500 people, the small village of Iuka is admittedly a small town. But thanks to Smoked to the Bone, folks travel for an hour or more just to eat! Smoked to the Bone has made a name for themselves as one of the best BBQ joints in southern Illinois, and for good reason. They have some phenomenal pulled pork, turkey, burnt ends, brisket, and so much more. If you’re a fan of challenges, they have something called the Philabuster Challenge which entails three hamburger patties on a large hoagie bun, topped with bacon, sausages, and other fixings. One thing is for sure, you won’t leave Iuka hungry!
Shorty’s Smokehouse in Waterloo has been referred to as one of the best BBQ places in the area by community members, and we are sure you’ll agree! They’re known for their unbelievable brisket burnt ends that you will want to taste, so be sure to check them out!
One of the newest BBQ spots on this list can be found in Du Quoin. The Salty Boar Inn & Smokehouse may be a newcomer, but they DO NOT disappoint. Two appetizers will immediately pique your interest, because they can’t be found many other places. The Boudin Balls and the Duck Wings are both well worth the trip to Du Quoin alone! They offer up the other BBQ essentials from pulled pork and brisket to pulled chicken. They also have a sandwich called The Salty Boar that includes pork belly. Make sure to bring an appetite if you make the trek to Perry County for this place!
Sparta is home to Southside Ribs, a BBQ restaurant that has been operating for 15 years and provides incredible BBQ, sandwiches, and steaks. There’s something for everyone at Southside Ribs!
Another fantastic barbecue joint can be found in Red Bud. The Burnt End is located right downtown across from Lieferbrau Brewery. The offering of appetizers is quite appealing, which includes a healthy offering of their namesake, burnt ends. One of the best ways to go in terms of choosing what to eat, is simply the sampler platter. It comes with a quarter rack of ribs, brisket, pork and a hot link.
If you’re looking to take a break after a long day of searching for white squirrels, check out Hog N’ Dog BBQ in Olney for a delicious meal! Just a short walk from Olney City Park, they serve all kinds of BBQ. There is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy at Hog N’ Dog BBQ!
When talking about BBQ, you can’t miss the multiple award-winning BBQ from Belleville’s own Beast Craft BBQ. They pride themselves on the quality of their meat and people flock from all over to taste their delicious BBQ! When you go be sure to try their brussels sprouts, too!
The White House Tavern in DuBois has some of the best and most affordable ribs that you’ll find! Their pulled pork is also a favorite of the locals and is sure to leave your mouth watering!
Shorty’s BBQ in Norris City has a fantastic small town atmosphere with delicious BBQ. Their Sweet N’ Sour Chicken is a fan favorite as well as their Western Style Ribs! You don’t want to miss out on Shorty’s BBQ!
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