We Ranked The Best Barbecue Restaurants In Washington And Here’s Who Came Out On Top
Smoke has a sneaky way of finding you in Washington, drifting out of a strip mall or an old downtown block long before you spot a sign. We followed that scent from the Canadian border down to the Columbia River and across to the dry, sunny east side, tasting brisket, ribs, and a few truly surprising sides along the way.
The joints that made our list are not fancy, and most will not strain a weekend budget. They are the kind of places that turn a quick lunch stop into a story you keep telling for weeks.
1. WOOD SHOP BBQ, Seattle, WA
Crowning a winner in a state full of smoke-loving pitmasters is no small job, but one bright little room on South Jackson Street kept pulling ahead. Wood Shop BBQ, founded by a Kansas native with a soft spot for Texas-style cooking, turns out brisket so tender it barely needs a knife.
The caramelized crust on the ribs and sausage is the kind of detail that separates good from unforgettable.
Sides here are far from an afterthought. The jalapeño mac and cheese brings a gentle kick, the buttermilk coleslaw stays crisp and cool, and the Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese Bowl is basically comfort food stacked on comfort food.
Smoked chicken and wings round out the lineup.
Ordering happens at the counter, and service moves quickly. Expect roughly $20 to $30 per person, with no reservations taken.
Sunday doors open at 9 AM, which makes a quiet morning visit the easiest way to beat the Saturday and Sunday evening rush.
Families will find high chairs and plenty of room for groups, while pups are welcome at the outdoor tables. Street parking in the Central District can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes to circle the block.
2. Outlaw BBQ & Catering – North Location, Spokane, WA
Beans are rarely the headline at a barbecue joint, yet on Spokane’s north side they come close to stealing the show. Outlaw BBQ and Catering builds its smoked beans with a smart balance of smoke, sauce, and tenderness, and they happen to be vegan too.
Of course, the meats hold their own. Brisket arrives tender and deeply smoky, the pulled pork is generous, and a half rack of ribs comes with two sides and pairs beautifully with the house barbecue sauce.
Playful menu names add to the fun, from Cow Tip Dip and Gringo Tacos to Outlaw Pickle Fries and loaded Outlaw Nachos.
Set inside the River Ridge Shopping Center on West Wellesley Avenue, the dining room feels laid-back and easygoing. A kids’ menu and high chairs make it an easy pick for families, and games on the screens keep sports fans happy.
Reservations are accepted, which is a rare treat for a smokehouse.
Budget around $20 to $30 per person. Friday and Saturday evenings get lively, so a weekday lunch offers a calmer table, and the free parking lot usually has room to spare.
Save space for dessert, because the sweet finish here is no small bonus.
3. My 4 Sons BBQ, Tacoma, WA
Ever eaten a sundae made of brisket? At My 4 Sons BBQ in Tacoma, that is a real menu item, and it captures the cheerful creativity of this cozy spot on Portland Avenue East.
It may be the most playful bite on this whole list.
Beyond the novelty, the fundamentals are rock solid. The brisket stays moist and wears a proper bark, the ribs fall right off the bone, and the meat is smoked so well that the homemade sauce becomes a bonus rather than a necessity.
Burnt ends, rib tips, chicken wings, and pulled pork plates give everyone something to argue about in the best way.
Sides deserve their own round of applause. Creamy baked potato salad, rich mac and cheese, smoked barbecue beans, and crunchy coleslaw fill out the plates nicely.
Here is the wallet-friendly part: most meals land between $10 and $20 per person, which makes it a smart stop for families stretching a weekend budget. Doors open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM, and Fridays and Saturdays fill up fast in the afternoon.
A free lot keeps parking simple, and the clean, quiet dining room invites you to linger.
4. The Smokin’ Oak Barbeque Restaurant, Bar & Catering, Vancouver, WA
Downtown Vancouver sits just across the Columbia River from Oregon, yet The Smokin’ Oak keeps its compass pointed firmly toward Texas. Every cut is smoked on-site, and the brisket ranks among the most mouthwatering in the region.
Even diners who know Kansas City barbecue inside and out find its style worth a special trip.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday. That is beef rib day, and the smoky beef rib has become a local favorite.
On any other visit, The Smoke Stack Plate or sliced brisket makes a hearty introduction.
What really sets this kitchen apart is its willingness to play with vegetables. Smoked beets and a beet salad share menu space with spicy, flavorful collard greens, while Frito pie and large brisket nachos cover the indulgent side of things.
Pulled pork and slaw keep the classics well represented.
Expect to spend roughly $20 to $30 per person. The restaurant is closed Mondays but stays open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and free wi-fi makes a weekday lunch easy to stretch out.
Street parking downtown can take some patience, and dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating. Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
5. Big Stick Barbecue, Bellingham, WA
Your nose gets the first taste at Big Stick Barbecue. Long before you reach the counter on West Orchard Drive, wood smoke drifts across the parking lot and quietly announces that something good is happening inside.
In a college town better known for mountain views and Bellingham Bay sunsets, that aroma is a welcome surprise.
Texas-style brisket leads the lineup, sliced to show off a handsome smoke ring and seasoned with a steady, confident hand. The pork belly burnt ends are the sleeper hit, glossy little cubes drizzled with a sweet apple sauce that balances the richness.
Barbecue beans carry a spicy zip, and the brisket chili makes a cozy pick on a drizzly Northwest afternoon.
Curious eaters should try the Brisket Blue Slider or the Dirty Mac, then finish with a spoonful of banana pudding.
Inside, the mood stays calm and positive, and live music sometimes adds a relaxed soundtrack. Plates generally run $20 to $30 per person, and the portions deliver solid value for the price.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday until 6 PM. Free on-site parking and curbside pickup make it a painless stop on the way home.
6. Porter’s Real Barbecue, Kennewick, WA
Back in 2015, Porter’s Real Barbecue was just a food truck with a big goal: bring authentic deep-South barbecue to the Pacific Northwest. That little truck has since grown into four locations, and the Kennewick shop on North Columbia Center Boulevard shows exactly why the Tri-Cities kept lining up.
A signed poster from a well-known TV food host hangs on the wall as a friendly nod to the smoked meats inside.
Prime grade beef brisket is the anchor, tender and juicy with rich flavor in every slice. Smoked turkey is a surprise standout, and the sausage and St. Louis ribs hold up their end of the tray.
Three house barbecue sauces let you mix and match as you go.
Want something a little different? The Smoked and Loaded Cheesy Baked Potato piles smoky meat onto a fluffy spud, and the gouda mac and cheese is creamy and properly cooked.
Banana pudding makes the sweetest possible ending.
Prices typically fall between $10 and $20 per person, a friendly figure for families watching their spending. Cheerful staff, a free parking lot, and free wi-fi make it easy to settle in, and doors stay open until 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
7. Steele Barrel BBQ Company, Yelm, WA
Giant cinnamon rolls and smoked brisket under one roof might sound like a small-town daydream, but in Yelm it is simply Thursday morning. Steele Barrel BBQ Company opens at 9 AM from Thursday through Sunday, so breakfast and barbecue can share the same visit.
Few smokehouses in Washington pull off that sweet-and-smoky double act.
Brisket shows up in more ways than you might expect, tucked into tacos and stacked onto burgers alongside the classic plates. Ribs slide cleanly away from the bone, pulled pork arrives moist and generous, and the spicy barbecue sauce ties everything together.
You can taste the smoke in every bite.
A bright pineapple coleslaw adds a tangy twist that pairs nicely with hearty mac and cheese.
Value may be the biggest reason this spot rounds out our list. Meals usually cost $10 to $20 per person, making it one of the most reasonably priced barbecue stops in the state, and portions are famously generous.
With Mount Rainier views possible on the drive along West Yelm Avenue, the trip feels like a mini getaway.
The kitchen closes Monday and Tuesday and opens at 11 AM on Wednesday. Reservations are accepted, and a free lot makes arrival easy.