This No-Frills Ohio Restaurant Is Where Locals Say The Best Barbecue Lives
Canton knows barbecue, there is no doubt about it. Ask anyone who grew up on this side of Stark County, and you’ll hear the same name again and again, usually spoken with a hungry smile. The city has plenty of places serving ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, but there’s one spot that locals keep coming back to year after year.
It doesn’t have flashy signs or fancy decor, and you won’t find a trendy open kitchen or craft drinks on the menu. What you will find is honest, smoky barbecue that tastes like someone’s been perfecting it for decades.
You read it once and already know exactly what kind of meal you are getting.
The kind of place where the line out the door tells you everything you need to know before you even step inside. This place has been feeding folks in Canton, Ohio, for generations, and once you taste what they’re serving, you’ll understand why people drive across town just to grab a sandwich.
A Canton Institution That’s Been Smoking Since 1922
Kennedy Barbecue traces its roots back to 1922, when the little barbecue joint first opened its doors under an earlier name before eventually becoming the Kennedy Barbecue locals know today.
The restaurant has stayed in operation for more than 90 years, serving the same style of barbecue that made it famous back when Franklin Roosevelt was president. That kind of longevity doesn’t happen by accident.
Families in Canton have been coming here for three, four, even five generations. Grandparents bring their grandkids, who will probably bring their own kids someday.
The building itself looks like it belongs to another era, which is part of the charm. Nothing about Kennedy Barbecue tries to be modern or trendy, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
You’ll find this place at 1420 7th St NW, Canton, OH 44703, tucked into a neighborhood where it’s been a fixture for nearly a century.
The Smoky Secret Behind Their Legendary Flavor
Walk past Kennedy Barbecue on any given day and you’ll smell the smoke before you see the building. That’s their little brick smokehouse doing its magic, using the same slow-cooking process they’ve relied on here for generations.
The meat gets slow-smoked for hours until it picks up that deep, rich flavor that you just can’t fake with liquid smoke or shortcuts. Real barbecue takes time, and Kennedy Barbecue doesn’t rush the process.
Every piece of meat that comes off the smoker has spent enough time absorbing that smoky heat to develop a proper bark on the outside while staying tender inside. The result is barbecue that tastes like it came from someone’s backyard, not a factory.
Ohio might not be the first state people think of when they talk about barbecue, but Kennedy Barbecue proves that great smoking technique knows no regional boundaries. The commitment to traditional, slow-cooked pit meat sets this place apart from competitors that try to hurry their barbecue along.
Barbecue Sandwiches That Define Simple Perfection
Kennedy Barbecue keeps things straightforward when it comes to their sandwiches. You get your choice of meat, a soft bun, and their signature sauce.
That’s it, and that’s all you need.
The pulled pork sandwich is what most regulars order, piled high with meat that’s been smoked until it falls apart. Each bite delivers that smoky flavor without being overpowering, and the meat stays moist even though it’s been cooking for hours.
They also serve beef brisket sandwiches for those who prefer a different cut. The brisket gets the same careful attention as the pork, resulting in tender slices that don’t require a knife to eat.
No fancy toppings, no artisan buns, no microgreens or aioli. Just good barbecue on bread, the way it’s supposed to be.
Sometimes the best food is the simplest, and Kennedy Barbecue proves that point with every sandwich they hand across the counter.
That Special Sauce Everyone Tries to Replicate
At this place, they make their own relish, and it’s the kind that people try to copy at home without success. The recipe stays secret, passed down through the years like an heirloom.
What you can taste is a balance between tangy and sweet, with just enough vinegar to cut through the richness of the smoked meat. It’s not a thick, molasses-heavy sauce that sits on top of your food.
This topping soaks into the meat, becoming part of the experience rather than just a simple garnish.
Some barbecue joints in Ohio serve condiments that taste like they came from a bottle at the grocery store. Kennedy Barbecue’s relish tastes like someone actually cares about what goes into it.
You can buy containers to take home, and many customers do exactly that. They’ll use it on their own grilled meats or even as a dipping topping for other foods, trying to capture a little bit of Kennedy magic in their own kitchens.
No-Frills Atmosphere That Feels Like Home
Don’t expect white tablecloths or mood lighting at Kennedy Barbecue. The dining area is basic, with simple tables and chairs that have seen decades of use.
The walls aren’t decorated with trendy art or reclaimed wood. There’s no Instagram-worthy neon sign or carefully curated vintage aesthetic.
What you get is a clean, functional space where the food takes center stage.
Most customers actually order takeout, grabbing their food and heading home or back to work. But if you do eat in, you’ll notice how comfortable everyone seems.
Nobody’s putting on airs or trying to impress anyone.
This is the kind of place where construction workers eat lunch next to office managers, where everyone’s equal because everyone’s just here for good barbecue.
The lack of pretension makes Kennedy Barbecue more approachable than fancier restaurants that serve food half as good at twice the price.
Canton has plenty of restaurants with nicer decor, but none that feel quite as genuine as this one.
Sides That Don’t Get Lost in the Smoke
While the meat is obviously the star at Kennedy Barbecue, the sides deserve their own recognition. These aren’t afterthoughts thrown together to fill out a plate.
The coleslaw brings a cool, crunchy contrast to the warm, smoky meat. It’s creamy without being heavy, with just enough tang to wake up your taste buds between bites of barbecue.
The baked beans taste like someone’s grandmother made them, sweet and savory with little bits of pork mixed in. They’re the kind of beans that make you wonder why anyone bothers with the canned stuff.
Potato salad rounds out the classic barbecue trio of sides, made fresh with a mustard base that’s become less common as mayonnaise-heavy versions have taken over. It’s old-school in the best possible way.
Each side complements the main event without trying to steal the show. They’re supporting actors that know their role, making the whole meal better without demanding all the attention.
Timing Your Visit for the Best Experience
Kennedy Barbecue opens at 11 AM most days, and smart customers know to arrive early. By noon, especially on Fridays, the line can stretch out the door.
The restaurant typically closes in the late afternoon, around 5:30 PM on weekdays and a bit earlier on Saturdays, but they sometimes run out of certain items before then.
If you have your heart set on your favorite sandwich or a bowl of bean soup, getting there earlier in the day increases your chances of scoring what you want.
Calling ahead to place an order is a solid strategy if you’re short on time. The phone number is 330-454-0193, and the staff can have your food ready when you arrive, letting you skip the wait.
Fridays are the busiest day of the week, as locals have made Kennedy Barbecue part of their end-of-week routine. If you prefer a quieter experience, aim for earlier in the week when the crowds thin out a bit.
The restaurant isn’t open every day, and it is closed on Sundays, so checking their hours before you make the trip saves disappointment.
Why This Barbecue Joint Stands the Test of Time
This place has survived nearly a century in business because it never tried to be something it’s not. No gimmicks, no constant menu changes, no attempts to chase food trends.
The restaurant does one thing and does it well, which is more than most places can claim. That consistency builds trust, and trust keeps customers coming back decade after decade.
In an era when restaurants open and close within a year, Kennedy Barbecue represents something increasingly rare. It’s proof that quality and tradition still matter, even when everyone else is chasing the next big thing.
The people running Kennedy Barbecue understand that their job isn’t to reinvent barbecue. Their job is to keep making it the same way that’s worked since 1933, serving Canton with the same care that built their reputation in the first place.
That’s why locals say the best barbecue lives here, in this unassuming spot that’s been smoking meat longer than most restaurants have been in business.