13 Under-the-Radar Barbecue Joints in Cincinnati You Must Try
By CityBeat Staff
The Queen City has plenty to offer when it comes to superb smoked meats. Some may be off the beaten path or lesser-known gems loved by true barbecue connoisseurs — one thing's for sure, these local spots are smoking some damn good meat.
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462 Old Kellogg Road, Anderson Open Wednesday through Sunday, Buck’s Barbecue started as a vendor at Over-the-Rhine’s Findlay Market and later opened a location on the East Side. The exterior of the restaurant looks more like a house, allowing guests to feel right at home. Classic dishes are offered, such as the expected pulled pork, baby back ribs and beef brisket. Buck’s tries to add their own flair to the menu with dishes like maple-glazed carrots and their “Barnyard” burger — a burger topped with pulled pork and chicken.
Photo: Adam Doty
1607 Central Ave., West End Located in a bright yellow and red trolley car, Ollie’s Trolley is a soul food staple in the Cincinnati area. The eatery serves a variety of smoked pork including ribs, rib tips and pulled pork, plus plenty of sides like collard greens, buttered corn and potato salad. Other local favorites include their smoked turkey plate, “Big Ollie” burger and hot dogs.
Photo via Facebook/OlliesTrolleyCincinnati
8021 Hamilton Ave., Mt. Healthy
This food truck serves authentic smoked Texas barbecue with a variety of meats ranging from pork to turkey to chicken wings. If you’re looking for a caterer, they offer pig roasts in addition to their plentiful menu of smoked meats and delectable sides.
2733 Vine St., Corryville Alabama Que proudly boasts on their website that they are the “home of the turkey tips.” This restaurant was founded by Dwan Ward in 2008, a veteran of the U.S. Navy. An Alabama native, Ward’s restaurant oozes Southern charm and a food truck was added to the business to keep up with growing demand. Every menu item consists of meat, sauce, one side, bread and a small beverage. Some meat options include smoked chicken, beef ribs, smoked salmon and, of course, the famous turkey tips.
Photo via Alabama Que Facebook
6457 Kennedy Ave., Kennedy Heights C&M BBQ Grill offers many combo dishes, including their curried chicken, pork chop, baby back ribs and catfish dinner combos, all served with two sides of your choice. They also serve sandwiches, wings and more. Perhaps most interestingly, C&M serves Jamacian sodas.
Photo via Image from Google Maps
123 Railroad Ave., Loveland This barbecue joint is located right off of the Loveland Bike Trail, making it a must-visit spot along your biking journey. All sandwiches and wraps at Lyle’s are served with a choice of two sides and a brownie. In addition to traditional barbecue offerings, the restaurant also offers some interesting menu items, like the smoked chicken salad, smoked chicken quesadilla, smoked buffalo chicken dip and the pulled pork chili. Make sure to try Lyle’s Original BBQ sauce.
Photo via Facebook/Lylesbikesbrewsbbq
11 W. Seventh St., Covington With their mascot being a chicken holding a thumbs-up, Mck’s Chicks is confident about their menu. Taking barbecue and adding a contemporary twist, Mck’s Chicks has the option to put barbecue into tacos, offering smoked chicken, pulled pork and brisket. They also offer nachos and sliders with a variety of meats. Other notable mentions include their shark taco, brisket chili, bacon-wrapped baby backs and chicken chorizo burritos.
Photo via Facebook/Mckschicks
663 Justice Court, Loveland Midwest Best BBQ and Creamery proves the slogan on their website — “fast food is not good, and good food is not fast” — to be true. Founded in 2009 to sell their MB Simply Sweet BBQ sauce, Midwest Best BBQ quickly evolved into a popular restaurant. Their menu boasts entrees including a chopped chicken sandwich, a smoked turkey wrap, smoke-fried wings, “sweet-n-smoky” ribs and more. They also serve delicious sides like creamy slaw and baked beans. They like to pair their barbecue with ice cream, offering scoops, milk-shakes and malts, sundaes and more.
Photo via Facebook/MidwestBestBBQ
1149 OH-131, Milford Pickles & Bones is a carry-out and catering establishment located in Milford. They offer traditional barbecue plates, sandwich meals, meat by the pound and scratch-made sides. Notable barbecue dishes include rib tips, hot link sausages, pulled pork sandwiches and pulled amish chicken.
Photo via Facebook/PicklesandBones
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