Ohio Is Hiding Its Best Pulled Pork Sandwich In A Modest Little Restaurant Too Easy To Miss
I spent years driving past a small storefront on 7th Street in Canton, Ohio, never realizing I was missing out on some of the finest pulled pork this state has to offer. Kennedy Barbecue doesn’t advertise with flashy signs or modern branding.
Instead, this place has been quietly smoking meats and serving hungry locals since 1922, relying entirely on word of mouth and repeat customers who know exactly what they’re getting. The building itself looks modest, almost easy to overlook among the other shops on the block.
But step inside, and you’ll immediately smell the smoky perfume that’s been wafting through Canton for over a century. I finally made the stop, and I’m here to tell you why this at-the-first-glance ordinary spot deserves a permanent place on your lunch rotation.
A Century-Old Tradition at 1420 7th Street NW
Kennedy Barbecue sits at 1420 7th Street NW in Canton, Ohio, and it’s been holding down that same address since the early 1920s. Walking through the door feels like stepping into a time capsule, and I mean that in the best possible way.
The interior hasn’t been updated with trendy industrial decor or Edison bulbs. Instead, you’ll find a handful of booths, a few tables, and eight barstools lining a simple counter.
The whole setup might seat twenty people if you squeeze in tight.
What strikes me most is how little has changed over the decades. The staff still greets you with a warm “hon,” and the menu remains focused on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
This is Canton barbecue history you can taste, and every visit reminds me why some traditions are worth preserving exactly as they are.
The Pulled Pork That Started It All
The pulled pork at Kennedy Barbecue is the reason I keep coming back, and it’s the dish that built this restaurant’s reputation over the past century. Each bite delivers tender, smoky meat that falls apart without any effort from your fork or teeth.
They smoke it low and slow on site, and you can taste the patience that goes into every batch. The meat arrives piled high on a simple bun, letting the quality speak for itself without unnecessary frills or complicated toppings.
What really sets it apart is the option to add their homemade relish, a sweet and tangy condiment that’s become almost as famous as the meat itself.
Some customers order it on the side so they can control exactly how much goes on each bite. Others ask for extra and eat it straight with a fork.
At around six dollars for a sandwich, this might be the best barbecue value in Ohio.
That Famous Homemade Relish
You can’t talk about Kennedy Barbecue without spending time on their legendary relish. This isn’t your standard pickle relish or the sugary stuff you find in grocery store jars.
Instead, it’s a house-made condiment that balances sweet and tangy notes in a way that complements every smoked meat on the menu.
Multiple reviews mention taking pints of this relish home, and I completely understand why. The chunky texture adds a satisfying bite, and the flavor profile cuts through the richness of the barbecue without overpowering it.
I’ve watched customers order extra portions just to have on hand for the week.
Some folks prefer their sandwiches without it so they can appreciate the pure smoke flavor of the meat. But I’m firmly in the camp that believes this relish is part of what makes Kennedy’s special, a secret weapon that’s been perfected over decades of trial and refinement.
Bean Soup That Tastes Like Grandma’s Kitchen
One spoonful of Kennedy’s bean soup transported me straight back to my grandmother’s kitchen on a cold afternoon. This isn’t fancy French onion or trendy ramen.
It’s simple, honest ham and bean soup that’s been made the same way for generations.
The broth is thick and savory, loaded with tender beans and generous chunks of their smoked ham. Several customers mentioned that it reminded them of family recipes, and I think that’s the highest compliment comfort food can receive.
The soup arrives steaming hot, perfect for Ohio winters when you need something that warms you from the inside out.
What impressed me most was the quality of the ham they use. It’s not processed lunch meat or cheap scraps.
These are real pieces of their house-smoked ham, adding depth and richness to every bite. Paired with their fluffy cornbread, this soup makes a complete meal that’ll stick with you through a long afternoon.
Slider Trios for the Indecisive
Can’t decide between the pulled pork, brisket, or turkey? Kennedy’s has you covered with their slider trio, a brilliant solution for anyone who wants to sample multiple meats in one visit.
Each slider arrives as a perfectly portioned mini sandwich, giving you just enough of each variety to appreciate the differences.
I ordered mine with pulled pork, brisket, and turkey, and each one showcased different aspects of their smoking technique. The pulled pork was tender and juicy, the brisket had that perfect smoke ring, and the turkey was surprisingly moist instead of the dry disaster turkey can sometimes be.
This is easily my favorite way to experience Kennedy’s menu, especially on a first visit when you’re not sure what to order.
The sliders also make it easy to share with someone else at your table, though I’ll admit I’m not great at sharing once that first bite hits. The portion size is generous enough that three sliders make a satisfying lunch without leaving you uncomfortably stuffed.
Smoked Brisket That Holds Its Own
Brisket is where barbecue restaurants either shine or stumble, and Kennedy’s definitely belongs in the first category. Their brisket shows a beautiful smoke ring and pulls apart with minimal resistance, a sign that it’s been given the time and attention it needs in the smoker.
One reviewer from Texas gave it a middle rating, claiming it was a bit dry, but I found it perfectly moist during my visits. Maybe I caught them on a good day, or maybe Buckeye State barbecue just hits different than what you’d find in Austin.
Either way, the brisket sandwich I had was tender, flavorful, and satisfying in all the right ways.
The meat is piled high on a simple bun, and you can add their barbecue sauce or relish to customize it to your taste. I prefer mine with just a light touch of sauce so the smoke flavor stays front and center.
It’s not trying to compete with legendary Texas joints, and that’s perfectly fine because it stands proudly on its own merits.
Ham Sandwiches You Won’t Find Elsewhere
Here’s something unusual: Kennedy Barbecue serves smoked ham sandwiches, and multiple customers call them the best they’ve ever had. Most barbecue joints stick to the usual suspects like pulled pork, ribs, and brisket, but Kennedy’s breaks the mold by offering beautifully smoked ham as a main option.
The ham is thick-cut and tender, with a smoky flavor that’s more subtle than their pork or beef options. One reviewer suggested ordering the relish on the side so you can taste the pure ham flavor first, then add the condiment to your preference.
I tried it both ways and found merit in each approach.
What makes this offering special is how rare it is to find quality smoked ham at a barbecue restaurant. Kennedy’s has been doing it since the beginning, and they’ve perfected the technique over a hundred years of practice.
The ham also shows up in their bean soup, proving they know how to use every part of their smoker’s output to maximum effect.
Cornbread That Deserves Its Own Spotlight
I need to talk about the cornbread at Kennedy Barbecue because it’s not just a side dish, it’s an event. This cornbread is fluffy, moist, and slightly sweet without crossing into dessert territory.
One customer specifically mentioned that her husband thought it was fantastic, and I’m right there with him.
The texture is what gets me every time. It’s light and airy instead of dense and crumbly, with a golden crust that adds just the right amount of textural contrast.
I’ve had plenty of cornbread that was either too dry or too cake-like, but Kennedy’s hits that perfect middle ground where it’s substantial enough to soak up soup or chili but tender enough to enjoy on its own.
It pairs beautifully with their bean soup, creating one of those classic combinations that just makes sense. Some people order extra pieces to take home, and I can’t blame them one bit.
This is the kind of cornbread that makes you understand why Southerners get so passionate about their recipes.
Troyer’s Pies for the Perfect Finish
Kennedy Barbecue partners with Troyer’s to offer a rotating selection of homemade pies, and they’re the perfect way to cap off your meal. The selection changes, but you might find classics like apple or cherry alongside more unusual options like elderberry, which several customers specifically mentioned loving.
These aren’t mass-produced grocery store pies. Troyer’s is known throughout Ohio for quality baking, and Kennedy’s is smart enough to let experts handle the dessert while they focus on smoking meats.
The slices are generous, and the prices are reasonable enough that adding pie to your order won’t break your budget.
One reviewer mentioned the pies looked great but hadn’t tried them yet, while another said the elderberry was yummy and worth the extra calories. I’m a sucker for fruit pies, and the one I had featured a flaky crust and filling that wasn’t overly sweet.
It’s a nice touch that rounds out the meal and gives you something to look forward to after all that savory, smoky goodness.
The Experience and Practical Details
This place operates Monday through Saturday, opening at eleven in the morning and closing by late afternoon or early evening. They’re closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.
The space is small, seating maybe twenty people maximum, which means you might wait a few minutes during peak lunch hours.
But the staff moves quickly, and the service is consistently described as friendly and attentive. Multiple reviews mention a server named Tatiana who’s apparently been taking care of customers for years with zero complaints.
Prices are remarkably affordable, with most sandwiches under six dollars and full meals coming in well under twenty bucks per person.
The atmosphere is decidedly old-school, with a 1950s diner vibe that’s authentic rather than manufactured. You won’t find craft sodas or artisanal anything here.
Instead, you get honest food made the same way it’s been made for over a century, served by people who genuinely seem happy you stopped by. That combination is harder to find than you might think, and it’s worth seeking out in Canton, Ohio.