Why Locals Say This Oklahoma City BBQ Joint Serves The Best In The Sooner State
Oklahoma City has plenty of barbecue joints, but locals consistently point to one spot as the absolute best.
Leo’s BBQ has been smoking meats and winning hearts since 1974, earning a reputation that stretches far beyond the city limits.
When Southern Living readers named it Oklahoma’s top barbecue restaurant in 2023, it simply confirmed what locals have known for decades.
1. A Classic Converted Gas Station With Serious History
Back in 1974, W. Leo Smith had a wild idea that turned out pretty brilliant. He took an old Sinclair gas station at 3631 N. Kelley Avenue and transformed it into something magical.
Where cars once filled up with fuel, hungry folks now fuel up on incredible barbecue. The building still carries that nostalgic charm from its gas station days.
After some moves around town, Leo’s returned home to that same Kelley Avenue address, proving some places are just meant to be.
2. Oklahoma Style Meats That Define Regional Barbecue
Forget fancy fusion trends because Leo’s keeps things authentically Oklahoma. Their pork ribs fall off the bone with that perfect smoky crust everyone craves. Brisket gets the low and slow treatment until it reaches melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Hot links pack serious flavor without overwhelming heat, while smoked bologna might sound unusual but tastes absolutely incredible. These signature meats have remained unchanged for decades.
Each protein showcases what makes Oklahoma barbecue special and different from other regional styles.
3. That Famous Strawberry Banana Cake Everyone Talks About
Most barbecue joints stick to basic desserts, but Leo’s decided to get creative decades ago. Their strawberry banana cake has become almost as famous as their smoked meats, and for good reason.
Sweet, moist layers perfectly balance the rich, smoky flavors from your main course. Regular customers often save room specifically for this special treat.
Many locals consider a meal incomplete without finishing with a slice of this signature cake that nobody else makes quite the same way.
4. Family Traditions Passed Down Through Generations
W. Leo Smith built more than just a restaurant when he started this journey in 1974. He created a family legacy that continues today under his son Charles Smith’s dedicated leadership.
Family-run businesses bring something special that corporate chains simply cannot replicate. Personal touches, consistent quality, and genuine care for customers shine through every interaction.
Charles maintains his father’s original vision while adapting to modern times, proving that some traditions deserve to continue unchanged.
5. Southern Living Readers Know Quality When They Taste It
Recognition from Southern Living magazine carries serious weight in the barbecue world. When their readers voted Leo’s as Oklahoma’s best barbecue restaurant in 2023, it validated what locals already knew.
Southern Living readers understand authentic barbecue and appreciate places that do things right. This award brought national attention to a local treasure that deserved wider recognition.
The magazine’s stamp of approval introduced Leo’s to barbecue lovers across the country who now make special trips to Oklahoma City.
6. Partnership With Schwab Meat Company Ensures Premium Quality
Behind every great barbecue joint stands reliable suppliers who understand quality. Leo’s has worked with Oklahoma City’s Schwab Meat Company for decades, especially for their incredible hot links and smoked bologna.
This long-term partnership ensures consistent quality that customers can count on visit after visit. Local suppliers understand regional preferences better than distant corporations.
Schwab’s expertise combined with Leo’s smoking techniques creates products that perfectly represent authentic Oklahoma barbecue at its absolute finest.
7. Location Changes Proved Home Is Where The Heart Lives
Sometimes restaurants need to explore different options before finding their perfect spot. Leo’s tried operating inside a Homeland grocery store in 2021, bringing barbecue to shoppers in an unexpected setting.
While the grocery store experiment worked temporarily, something felt missing from the experience. The original Kelley Avenue location called them back home where they truly belonged.
Returning to their roots in 2025 proved that some places hold special magic that cannot be replicated anywhere else.
8. Decades Of Consistency Build Unshakeable Local Loyalty
Fifty years in the restaurant business teaches valuable lessons about what customers truly want. Leo’s discovered that consistency trumps trendy changes every single time customers walk through their doors.
Regular customers know exactly what to expect, and that predictability becomes comforting rather than boring. Families have been coming here for multiple generations, creating lasting memories around shared meals.
This unwavering commitment to quality and tradition explains why locals defend Leo’s as Oklahoma’s barbecue champion with such passionate conviction.