Best BBQ in St. Louis

I try to make it a habit of visiting as many BBQ joints as I can for a couple of reasons.  First I like good BBQ, and second it's great blog fodder. ;)

Over the past couple of years, I've eaten at most of the BBQ joints in the St. Louis area.  There are a couple of chains that I typically avoid and I'm sure there are places that I haven't had the opportunity to try.

However, I though I'd put together the short list of the places that I think are at the top of the heap in the St. Louis area.  Note that this includes the metro-east or Illinois side of the metro area, mainly cause that's where I think you'll find the best BBQ in town.

Here goes:

1. 17th St. Barbeque- This is my favorite place to eat BBQ in the St. Louis area.  It's one of Mike Mills' restaurants.  If you track the BBQ culture, you know that Mike "The Legend" Mills is a well respected competition cook, restaurateur, and pitmaster.  If you live in the St. Louis metro area, it's worth the drive to try Mike's ribs in O'fallon, IL.
2. Pappy's Smokehouse -Another joint with great credentials, Pappy's sports some trophies from Memphis in May and folks line up at lunch time to get a taste of some really great BBQ.  Pappy's has also been featured on food & travel shows on cable TV.  They're located in the downtown area so there's no excuse not to sample their fare, but get there early.  When they run out of BBQ, they close early.
3. Plush Pig- This is a place that I nearly overlooked when they were located in downtown Clayton, MO.  They've since relocated, revamped the menu, and if possible made the BBQ even better.  Still one of my top 5 places to eat BBQ in St. Louis, they're now located at McKnight & Manchester.
4. Hick's BBQ- Another Illinois place, I discovered them after buying some of their sauce at a BBQ shop in St. Louis.  I've enjoyed their BBQ a couple of times, but when I attended a backyard party that they catered I really became a fan.  I highly recommend their sauce and their BBQ.  I've also had the opportunity to meet the owner and he's a super nice guy, further reinforcing my belief that if you BBQ you're my friend.

So there you have it gang.  To my taste buds, these are the best BBQ joints in the St. Louis metro area.  Who'd I miss? Which joints do I need to visit?  Where do you think the best BBQ in St. Louis can be found?  Drop me a comment and let me know.

Cheers,
Braddog

Comments

[Amy Mills]

thanks so much for the kind words ... honored to be listed among such excellent company! please know we appreciate you!

[Chuck Schneebeli]

I agree pretty much on the list, but, I actually prefer Pappy's over 17th Street. Both are wonderful, but, Pappys is a bit more to my liking. Just discovered your blog, via the STL Hops site. I'm also a beer & BBQ nut, on the east end of Belleville. Just putting the finishing touches on an Ugly Drum Smoker, doing some babybacks over peachwood on Sunday!

Cheers!

Chuck

[Braddog]

Chuck;

Thanks for the note. We're neighbors, I'm in Swansea.

I've been thinking about building a UDS. Only problem is, I'd only be building it for the experience. I don't expect that I'd keep it &/or use it give my existing collection of cookers.

Cheers,
Braddog

[Jeff Belmonti]

17th Street and Pappy's are my two hands down favorites in St. Louis. Will have to add Plush Pig and Hicks to my list for the next trip down there. I have had tours of the Pit at both 17th street and Pappy's and can say that both are classy operations with BBQ in their blood. These are places where there is love in that there BBQ! You can see my reviews at http://www.bbqproshop.com/blog of both Pappy's and 17th Street under BBQ Joints.

[Braddog]

Thanks for the note Jeff. Next time you're in town, look me up!

Cheers,
Braddog

[Al Hicks]

Thank you for stopping in our BBQ joint.We now have beer and wine.So stop by for a cold one with your BBQ. Thanks again, Al Hicks

[Al Hicks]

Thank you for stopping in our BBQ joint.We now have beer and wine.So stop by for a cold one with your BBQ. Thanks again, Al Hicks

[Michael True]

I also like the first three and now need to go try Hicks BBQ over in Belleville. If you have not already tried Hwy 61 Roadhouse, http://www.hwy61roadhouse.com, it is worth the drive to give it a try. I always recommend and try the bbq sampler everywhere I go to give every bbq joint their best shot first time out. Leftovers never hurts either. ;-)

[Braddog]

Thanks for the redcommendation. I'll be giving that a try!

Cheers,
Braddog