Top 10 BBQ Joints In Oklahoma City

1. Iron Star Urban Barbecue

Fine dining and a refreshingly relaxing ambiance, this is what you’ll get to experience together with their top-notch barbecue when you dine at Iron Star Urban Barbecue. Located at the heart of Oklahoma City, this restaurant offers St. Louis Cut pork ribs that are dry-rubbed with their secret spices, then smoked for hours in hickory wood. They also have pulled pork from locally raised pork, and it’s hand-pulled not cut. Iron Star’s bacon-wrapped quail breasts is a crowd-favorite appetizer. They also offer daily specials with menu items that include Brisket Tacos and Smoked Baked Potato.

Iron Star Urban Barbecue

Address: 3700 N Shartel Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Website: Iron Star Urban Barbecue

Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)

2. Swadley's Bar-B-Q

A growing family-owned business, Swadley’s Bar-B-Q has been barbecuing for more than 80 years now. They are especially famous for their ribs. Even with so many different version of smoked meats in Oklahoma City, Swadley’s has remained to be one of the local favorites. They always use fresh meats (not frozen), which they churn in their smokers very early in the morning, or the night before, so you can indulge in their tasty slow-smoked meat. Swadley’s serves a two-meat platter on their menu, a combination of pulled pork and chicken meat, which is what we recommend you to try when you visit them.

Swadley's Bar-B-Q

Address: 8317 S Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73139

Website: Swadley’s Bar-B-Q

Opening hours: 10:45am - 9pm (daily)

3. Bedlam BAR-B-Q

If you want your smoked meat the old-fashioned way, the way Oklahoma Cowboys and Indians had them, then Bedlam Bar-B-Q is a great choice. If you want your meat lightly smoked, then you’ll find their ‘cue to your liking. Moist and flavorful, their thick-cut brisket falls apart easily. Their pulled pork is truly hand-pulled and full of flavor as well. They also offer outside seating; barbecue al fresco-style while facing a large garden area. It’s perfect for having 'cues and cocktails in the evening.

Bedlam BAR-B-Q

Address: 610 NE 50th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Website: Bedlam BAR-B-Q

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm

4. Clark Crew BBQ

Here’s proof that this restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience - they have a long waiting list. Winner of over 70 awards, Clark Crew BBQ is an Oklahoma-based World Champion BBQ team. With so many awards on their belt, you’ll definitely expect a lot from them. Your expectations will be met and more when you have a taste of their beef burnt ends. Their beef brisket, chopped or sliced, is actually smoked wagyu beef. Be sure to get a taste of their pork rind appetizers. Light and crispy, you’ll feel the minute bubbles popping and melting when you leave it on your tongue.

Clark Crew BBQ

Address: 3510 Northwest Expy, Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Website: Clark Crew BBQ

Opening hours: Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun - Fri: 11am - 9pm

5. Leo's BBQ

With almost half a century of experience, Leo’s BBQ is among one of the best barbecue restaurants in the city, even with new ones popping up. Their pork ribs infused with hickory smoke flavor can be enjoyed even with very minimal sauce. Leo’s brisket is cut above the rest with its peppery crust and smokey flavor that bursts after each bit. If you end up having a hard time choosing from their meat selections, you can always go with Leo’s Special. It includes a generous helping of their very best, including a strawberry banana cake for dessert.

Leo's BBQ

Address: 3631 N Kelley Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73111

Website: Leo’s BBQ

Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 11am - 7pm (closed from Sun - Tue)

6. George's Happy Hog Bar-B-Q

For some great home-style barbecue, you can’t go wrong dining at George’s Happy Hog Bar-B-Q. They are very famous for their pork ribs, but their other smoked meats are worth indulging as well. Tender beef briskets and juicy pulled pork are what awaits you at George’s. It’s a family restaurant so anyone will feel right at home with the cozy and lively ambiance. Aside from the meat, you’ll also come to love their side greens, whether it’s collard greens or green beans. And if you’re craving sweets after your meaty adventure, you’ll definitely be delighted by their homemade desserts.

George's Happy Hog Bar-B-Q

Address: 712 Culbertson Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Website: George’s Happy Hog Bar-B-Q

Opening hours: 11am - 7pm (daily)

7. Back Door BBQ

Voted as the Best Ribs in the City by Barbecue Eaters Anonymous, Back Door BBQ is all about “white table cloth” barbeque. Inspired by other famous barbecue joints in America such as Franklin’s in Texas, you’ll find the usual dishes on the menu like beef brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, etc. They’re all very flavorful and moist that you don’t even need a sauce to enjoy them. But they do have sauces and they stand out on their own too. What sets this joint apart from the rest is what they call The Daily Beast. It’s an innovative barbecue dish where the chef expresses her creativity. Be sure to ask for this when you give your orders and get ready for a delightful surprise.

Back Door BBQ

Address: 315 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Website: Back Door BBQ

Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily)

8. King's Custom Smoked Meats Restaurant

If you want delicious fall-off-the-bone meat, then you better check out King’s Custom Smoked Meats. The joint is not as big as the rest but it gives off a cozy and friendly vibe, which is exactly what you’ll experience. They smoke pork ribs, briskets, chicken, turkey, and a whole lot more. Their slice brisket is comparable to a butter’s texture, which is very soft and tender. King’s makes mean fried okra that a lot of customers rave about. Their menu is kid-friendly as well. You can bring the kids with you, have them pick what they want like the Kid’s rib plate or the Kid’s grilled cheese sandwich.

King's Custom Smoked Meats Restaurant

Address: 2410 N Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73107

Website: King’s Custom Smoked Meats Restaurant

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 7pm (closed on Mon)

9. Jack's Bar-B-Q

Another BBQ joint that has stood the test of time in Oklahoma is Jack’s Bar-B-Q. They’ve been operating for more than 45 years now and they’re experts in their smoked meats. This is one of your best options if you’re looking for some old-fashioned ‘cue. Their ribs are very meaty and smoked to perfection, leaving a lot of juiciness. While they’re not the fall-off-the-bone kind of ribs, it takes almost no effort to separate them from the bone. They also serve other homemade American favorite dishes like smoked turkey.

Jack's Bar-B-Q

Address: 4418 NW 39th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Website: Jack’s Bar-B-Q

Opening hours: 11am - 8pm (daily)

10. Jo-Bawb's BBQ

Jo-Bawb’s BBQ is another Championship BBQ joint that you shouldn’t miss when in Oklahoma City. They have joined more than 126 BBQ competitions across over 14 states and have won first place in most of them. As a matter of fact, MSN included them on their list of top 50 BBQ joints in the U.S. Once you get to taste their saucy pork ribs or their flavorful brisket, you’ll whole-heartedly agree that they are indeed winners. If their burnt ends, with their edges and buttery fat, are a popular choice among their regulars, you’ll expect that the brisket and other smoked meats are of the same or even better quality. The truth is, they all are.

Jo-Bawb's BBQ

Address: 7921 Northside Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73132

Website: Jo-Bawb’s BBQ

Opening hours: 11am - 6:30pm (daily)

Satisfy your cravings

Oklahoma City will not disappoint you when it comes to smoked meats. They have a lot of great restaurants, including kid-friendly restaurants, that will surely satisfy your cravings. If you take comfort in judging which one is the best, make your decision based on the beef brisket. This is where the bulk of the competition is because Oklahomans love their briskets. There’s also a number of RV Rentals in Oklahoma if you’re going on a road trip. Choose from our list of top BBQ joints in Oklahoma City and make peace with your taste buds already.