St. Louis Best BBQ
Discover St. Louis Best BBQ: Ribs, Pulled Pork, and Hidden Smokehouse Gems
Sugarfire Smoke House- Sawmill BBQ
Salt + Smoke
As summer comes to an end, many people may think it’s time to pack away the BBQ grill. However, for those of us in St. Louis, barbecue is a year-round affair! I often find myself grilling in the snow, rain, or cold on my patio during the winter months. I believe most St. Louisans share this sentiment. In fact, I would argue that St. Louis has some of the best barbecue in the country, even better than Kansas City BBQ—though I know that’s a controversial opinion among those of us in the Show-Me State.
If you’re ever in St. Louis, check out these five BBQ spots I recommend. I base my BBQ judgment on the ribs, while my husband is all about the pulled pork. I like my ribs with just the right amount of dry rub and a side of either sweet or white BBQ sauce, but not drenched in it like the typical St. Louis style. The good thing is that each restaurant offers a choice of sauces, so you can go for the smothered option if that’s your thing!
Salt + Smoke
BBQ, Bourbon, Beer—how can you not like this tagline?
Salt + Smoke offers outstanding ribs. One of my favorite aspects of these ribs is that they are not covered in sugar. They are always perfectly cooked, tender, and fall right off the bone. But that’s not all—this is the only BBQ place in St. Louis that I know of that serves popovers, which is a unique treat! Their cold green bean salad is fantastic, too. Who would have thought I would enjoy it? But I often find myself starting my meal by eating nearly all of it before diving into my ribs.
Oh, and let’s not forget, as a bourbon lover, I relish their extensive selection of bourbons. Their Old Fashioned cocktail is expertly made every time. I always choose the Angel’s Envy Rye for mine. Another great feature of this BBQ restaurant is that you order at your table with a server, rather than at a counter—unless, like me, you head straight for the bar. There are several locations throughout the city, so you can easily find the one closest to you to visit!
Locations:
- DELMAR: 6525 Delmar Blvd. St Louis, MO 63130 (My favorite!)
- SOUTH COUNTY: 4130 Rusty Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128
- BALLPARK VILLAGE: 501 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102
- HAMPTON: 5625 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
- SAINT CHARLES: 501 South Main St., St. Charles, MO 63301
- ELLISVILLE: 1386 Clarkson/Clayton Shopping Center, Ellisville, MO 63011
Sawmill BBQ
Sawmill is likely the least known BBQ spot in St. Louis, not because it isn’t good—it’s amazing and one of my top two favorites in the city! The reason it’s lesser-known among my St. Louis friends is that it’s located on the Illinois side of the Metro St. Louis area. However, they recently opened a new location in Des Peres. My husband and I have been visiting Sawmill since they opened their first location in Cahokia, Illinois, which is less than 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis. They know us there, and isn’t that awesome?
Their baby back ribs are incredibly tender and fall off the bone. My favorite sides are the fried okra and green beans. Occasionally, I also grab a beer for those long days after work on my way home. Located just minutes from downtown St. Louis in an old barn that has been converted into a restaurant, you should definitely give them a try!
Locations
- ILLINOIS: 4060 Mississippi Avenue, Cahokia, IL 62206 – My go-to location!
- MISSOURI: 1090 Old Des Peres Road #1865, Des Peres, MO 63131 – The new location!
Sugarfire Smoke House
This restaurant truly lives up to its name with delicious ribs, especially when dipped in their amazing coffee BBQ sauce—it’s absolutely to die for! I even bought some to use for my home barbecue. Sugarfire has received numerous awards for its St. Louis-style BBQ. They refer to it as ‘Fine Casual Chef-Driven Cue.’ If you’re still hungry after your meal, don’t miss out on their desserts; try one of their ice cream soda floats or homemade milkshakes! They also have several locations throughout the St. Louis metro area. Plus, if you visit the Boathouse in Forest Park, you can enjoy their BBQ there as well!
Locations:
- DOWNTOWN: 605 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101
- OLLIVETTE: 9200 Olive Blvd #114, St. Louis, MO 63132
- VALLEY PARK: 932 Meramec Station Rd, Valley Park, MO 63088
- ARNOLD: 2204 Michigan Ave, Arnold, MO 63010
- FLORISSANT: 1290 N Hwy 67, Florissant, MO 63031
- O’FALLON, ILLINOIS: 1425 N Green Mt Rd, O’Fallon, IL 62269
- ST. CHARLES: 3150 Elm Point Industrial Dr, St Charles, MO 63301
- DARDENNE PRAIRIE: 1541 Bryan Rd, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63366
- WASHINGTON: 512 W Front St, Washington, MO 63090
- FARMINGTON: 670 Walton Dr, Farmington, MO 63640
- WENTZVILLE: 1101 Lodora Dr, Wentzville, MO 63385
- FOREST PARK: The Boathouse at Forest Park, 6101 Government Dr., St. Louis, MO 63110
- Salt + Smoke
- Boubon selection at Salt + Smoke
- Adam’s Smokehouse
Pappy’s Smokehouse
With two locations, Pappy’s is likely the most famous BBQ spot in St. Louis, especially among tourists. I often have clients who come to town specifically wanting to visit! The BBQ features a peppier rub, and I prefer the sweet sauce for dipping, as it balances the flavors perfectly. Be prepared for long lines, as they sometimes extend out the door. Also, don’t forget to pick up one of their T-shirts to prove you visited the renowned Pappy’s Smokehouse in St. Louis.
Locations:
- ST. LOUIS DOWNTOWN ORIGINAL LOCATION: 3106 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103
- ST.PETERS: 5246 N Service Rd, St Peters, MO 63376
Adam’s Smokehouse
A client introduced me to a hidden gem of a BBQ restaurant in the Clifton Heights area, near The Hill. It’s a small but impressive place, featuring a world map adorned with pins from visitors around the globe. It must be delicious, right? Absolutely! The ribs are phenomenal, reportedly brushed with apple butter. Be sure to get there early, or during “bumper” times, to ensure a seat. And don’t be surprised if you receive a “thank you” from the person at the register, who may very well be a family member of this small, family-run restaurant.
Location:
- ST. LOUIS: 2819 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63139
- Sugarfire, Valley Park location
- Salt + Smoke
- Salt + Smoke, St. Charles
There are many more BBQ restaurants to try in St. Louis; there are so many that it’s hard to visit them all. However, I find myself drawn to the same ones time and time again.
At the end of the day, St. Louis Best BBQ is about more than just the ribs and sauce—it’s about the experience. Whether you’re grabbing an Old Fashioned at Salt + Smoke, sneaking fried okra at Sawmill, or waiting in line at Pappy’s with friends, each place has its own flavor and memory attached. If you’re in St. Louis, don’t just settle for one spot—try a few and see which one becomes your favorite.
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