Cincinnati's Top 10 Barbecue Spots, According to CityBeat Readers

10. Harmon’s BBQ

3481 Valley Plaza Parkway, Fort Wright
Harmon’s BBQ is a family-owned and -operated eatery located in Fort Wright off of Madison Pike. Their meats are smoked on hardwood for 14 hours and sold by the pound, fries are cut by hand, and their sides are made from scratch. Not only is Harmon’s a dine-in restaurant, but it also caters events as well.
Photo: Facebook.com/HarmonBBQ

10. Harmon’s BBQ

3481 Valley Plaza Parkway, Fort Wright
Harmon’s BBQ is a family-owned and -operated eatery located in Fort Wright off of Madison Pike. Their meats are smoked on hardwood for 14 hours and sold by the pound, fries are cut by hand, and their sides are made from scratch. Not only is Harmon’s a dine-in restaurant, but it also caters events as well.
Photo: Facebook.com/HarmonBBQ

9. Pontiac

1403 Vine St., Over the Rhine
It’s no secret why this local eatery has landed itself on CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati top 10 for barbecue several years in a row. In addition to barbecue, Pontiac serves classic appetizers such as their world-famous smoked wings and fried pickles, along with Southern comfort sides like cheesy grits or baked beans. Sandwiches, like their 14-hour smoked brisket, are served with a bed of creamy coleslaw and house barbecue sauce. With its vintage and eclectic atmosphere, neon signs, and rustic bar, your experience in this Over-the-Rhine restaurant will be one-of-a-kind.
Photo: Facebook.com/PontiacOTR

9. Pontiac

1403 Vine St., Over the Rhine
It’s no secret why this local eatery has landed itself on CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati top 10 for barbecue several years in a row. In addition to barbecue, Pontiac serves classic appetizers such as their world-famous smoked wings and fried pickles, along with Southern comfort sides like cheesy grits or baked beans. Sandwiches, like their 14-hour smoked brisket, are served with a bed of creamy coleslaw and house barbecue sauce. With its vintage and eclectic atmosphere, neon signs, and rustic bar, your experience in this Over-the-Rhine restaurant will be one-of-a-kind.
Photo: Facebook.com/PontiacOTR

8. Midwest Best BBQ

669 Justice Court, Loveland
Before establishing a restaurant in 2009, Midwest Best BBQ started by selling their popular Simply Sweet BBQ sauce. Today, you can find Midwest Best’s restaurant in Loveland, right off of I-275. Midwest Best serves everything from smoked turkey and pulled pork to chopped chicken and brisket, plus ice cream for when that sweet tooth strikes.
Photo: Facebook.com/MidwestBestBBQ

8. Midwest Best BBQ

669 Justice Court, Loveland
Before establishing a restaurant in 2009, Midwest Best BBQ started by selling their popular Simply Sweet BBQ sauce. Today, you can find Midwest Best’s restaurant in Loveland, right off of I-275. Midwest Best serves everything from smoked turkey and pulled pork to chopped chicken and brisket, plus ice cream for when that sweet tooth strikes.
Photo: Facebook.com/MidwestBestBBQ

7. Sweets & Meats BBQ

2249 Beechmont Ave., Unit B, Mount Washington
Co-owned and operated by MORTAR grads Kristen Bailey and Anton Gaffney, Sweets & Meats BBQ food truck has become well known in the Cincinnati area since its inception in 2014. Over the years, the business has gained recognition for excellent smoked meats, sides and decadent desserts. The eatery opened a brick-and-mortar in 2017 in Mount Washington, and has two food trucks and full catering service.
Photo: Facebook.com/SweetsandMeats

7. Sweets & Meats BBQ

2249 Beechmont Ave., Unit B, Mount Washington
Co-owned and operated by MORTAR grads Kristen Bailey and Anton Gaffney, Sweets & Meats BBQ food truck has become well known in the Cincinnati area since its inception in 2014. Over the years, the business has gained recognition for excellent smoked meats, sides and decadent desserts. The eatery opened a brick-and-mortar in 2017 in Mount Washington, and has two food trucks and full catering service.
Photo: Facebook.com/SweetsandMeats

6. Just Q’in

975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
Just Q’in started out as a single grill and some spices in South Carolina before opening its first Cincinnati restaurant in Newtown in 2011. Now located in Walnut Hills, the Just Q'in serves freshly cooked and smoked meats along with vegetarian sides. With the slogan "Faith. Love. BBQ.," the company hires individuals that face barriers to employment, including criminal records, homelessness, poverty and addiction. The website also accepts prayer requests.
Photo: Facebook.com/JustQinBBQ

6. Just Q’in

975 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
Just Q’in started out as a single grill and some spices in South Carolina before opening its first Cincinnati restaurant in Newtown in 2011. Now located in Walnut Hills, the Just Q'in serves freshly cooked and smoked meats along with vegetarian sides. With the slogan "Faith. Love. BBQ.," the company hires individuals that face barriers to employment, including criminal records, homelessness, poverty and addiction. The website also accepts prayer requests.
Photo: Facebook.com/JustQinBBQ

5. Pickles & Bones Barbecue

1149 Ohio 131, Milford
In 2015, Josh and Nicole House were serving brisket and pulled pork sandwiches out of a trailer. Fast-forward to 2017, they opened their first brick-and-mortar carry-out restaurant. Today, they are a Queen City favorite. Serving authentic barbecue that’s smoked low and slow, the House’s use a blend of red and white oak wood to give their meats that natural smoky flavoring. Named No. 1 BBQ Restaurant in Ohio by Yelp, Pickles & Bones Barbecue is passionate about traditional cooking and giving back to their community. As members of the Bucket Brigade, Pickles & Bones uses rescued food to cook soup, handing it out to those in need.
Photo: Facebook.com/PicklesandBonesBBQ

5. Pickles & Bones Barbecue

1149 Ohio 131, Milford
In 2015, Josh and Nicole House were serving brisket and pulled pork sandwiches out of a trailer. Fast-forward to 2017, they opened their first brick-and-mortar carry-out restaurant. Today, they are a Queen City favorite. Serving authentic barbecue that’s smoked low and slow, the House’s use a blend of red and white oak wood to give their meats that natural smoky flavoring. Named number one BBQ Restaurant in Ohio by Yelp, Pickles & Bones Barbecue is passionate about traditional cooking and giving back to their community. As members of the Bucket Brigade, Pickles & Bones uses rescued food to cook soup, handing it out to those in need.
Photo: Facebook.com/PicklesandBonesBBQ

4. Montgomery Inn

925 Riverside Drive, Downtown; 9440 Montgomery Road, Montgomery
What was once known as McCabe’s Inn is known today as the famous Montgomery Inn. In 1951, a man named Ted Gregory took over McCabe’s, turning it into a popular drinking spot. While the drinks were good, the food was below average. Luckily, Gregory’s wife was the secret weapon Montgomery Inn needed in order to be successful. Packing his dinner for a long night ahead, Matula Gregory cooked her husband barbecued ribs with her homemade sauce, adding a few extra servings for his friends. After raving over the recipe, the Gregory’s were able to spark the momentum they needed in order to make the inn successful. Today, the Montgomery Inn is a Cincinnati institution best known for barbecued ribs and Saratoga chips.
Photo: Facebook.com/MontgomeryInn

4. Montgomery Inn

925 Riverside Drive, Downtown; 9440 Montgomery Road, Montgomery
What was once known as McCabe’s Inn is known today as the famous Montgomery Inn. In 1951, a man named Ted Gregory took over McCabe’s, turning it into a popular drinking spot. While the drinks were good, the food was below average. Luckily, Gregory’s wife was the secret weapon Montgomery Inn needed in order to be successful. Packing his dinner for a long night ahead, Matula Gregory cooked her husband barbecued ribs with her homemade sauce, adding a few extra servings for his friends. After raving over the recipe, the Gregory’s were able to spark the momentum they needed in order to make the inn successful. Today, the Montgomery Inn is a Cincinnati institution best known for barbecued ribs and Saratoga chips.
Photo: Facebook.com/MontgomeryInn

3. City Barbeque

Multiple locations including 2760 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights; 8026 Burlington Pike, Florence; 10375 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash; 878 Eastgate North Drive, Eastgate
City Barbeque holds a deep appreciation for food and where it comes from, according to an interview with president and co-owner Rick Malir on the restaurant’s site. What started out as a competition barbecue team and smoking meats in Malir’s garage turned into something much bigger. With the help, guidance and talent of their cooking team, City Barbeque began to flourish across the Midwest and in a few Southern states. Almost everything on the menu is made from scratch daily, such as their famous potato salad. Even after years of being in the restaurant business, City Barbeque continues to use what they call “cooking-in-the-garage” mentality in order to deliver a satisfying experience for their customers.
Photo: Google Maps

3. City Barbeque

Multiple locations including 2760 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights; 8026 Burlington Pike, Florence; 10375 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash; 878 Eastgate North Drive, Eastgate
City Barbeque holds a deep appreciation for food and where it comes from, according to an interview with president and co-owner Rick Malir on the restaurant’s site. What started out as a competition barbecue team and smoking meats in Malir’s garage turned into something much bigger. With the help, guidance and talent of their cooking team, City Barbeque began to flourish across the Midwest and in a few Southern states. Almost everything on the menu is made from scratch daily, such as their famous potato salad. Even after years of being in the restaurant business, City Barbeque continues to use what they call “cooking-in-the-garage” mentality in order to deliver a satisfying experience for their customers.
Photo: Instagram.com/citybbq

2. Lucius Q

1131 Broadway St., Pendleton
Upon entering Lucius Q, you may notice that it doesn’t look like your typical barbecue joint. That’s because it’s not. Lucius Q holds a very modern-industrial atmosphere, and welcomes anyone and everyone from various backgrounds — their sign on the door will remind you of this before you walk in. With meats from Avril-Bleh and bread from Giminetti, this Pendleton restaurant establishes a sense of community with their wide variety of smoked meats and comfort food.
Photo: Facebook.com/LuciusQ

2. Lucius Q

1131 Broadway St., Pendleton
Upon entering Lucius Q, you may notice that it doesn’t look like your typical barbecue joint. That’s because it’s not. Lucius Q holds a very modern-industrial atmosphere, and welcomes anyone and everyone from various backgrounds — their sign on the door will remind you of this before you walk in. With meats from Avril-Bleh and bread from Giminetti, this Pendleton restaurant establishes a sense of community with their wide variety of smoked meats and comfort food.
Photo: Facebook.com/LuciusQ

1. Eli’s BBQ

133 W Elder St., Findlay Market; 3313 Riverside Drive, East End
With a total of five locations (including brick-and-mortars and hubs inside of Kroger), Eli’s BBQ can be found across Greater Cincinnati. While Eli's is well known for hickory-smoked barbecue and signature barbecue sauce, the restaurant offers an allergy and dietary chart for those who are gluten-free, vegetarian or have common food allergies. Anyone is able to find something they can eat at Eli’s, making their experience one-of-a-kind.
Photo: Facebook.com/Eli’sBBQ