The Most Delicious Ohio Road Trip Takes You To 6 Hole-In-The-Wall Barbecue Restaurants
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Sarah McCosham
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Ohio is a dark horse when it comes to killer barbecue, boasting a wholly unique BBQ flavor all its own! There’s no barbecue quite like Buckeye State barbecue, and we’ve put together the following road trip to prove it. From Cincinnati to Columbus, Zanesville to Dayton, we’re getting down and dirty at some of the best hole-in-the-wall barbecue restaurants in the state. Grab the wet naps and get ready for the most delicious road trip you’ll ever take, visiting six of the best BBQ restaurants in Ohio.
View a Google Map of this road trip here.
Eli's BBQ - Riverside, 3313 Riverside Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA
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Eli's BBQ is a Cincinnati institution, and it's the perfect start for our Buckeye BBQ adventure. Locals and visitors alike rave about Eli's pulled pork sandwich, and it's an absolute barbecue bucket-list must!
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7 Miles Smokehouse, 285 E 7th St, Chillicothe, OH 45601, USA
If you like your ribs wet and rich, 7 Miles Smokehouse will be your happy place. The ribs are so sticky-sweet and tender, they're almost dessert-like. Grab some wet naps and a bib, and be prepared to lick your plate (and fingers) clean! No judgement from us.
Bill's Real Pit BBQ, 5945 Frazeysburg Rd, Nashport, OH 43830, USA
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Those craving a big plate of carne will be in hog heaven at Bill's Real Pit BBQ. Humble and unassuming, at Bill's, it's all about the barbecue. Smoky and tender, slathered in sauce, this BBQ is the same family recipe that's kept folks coming back for generations.
Ray Ray's Hog Pit Clintonville, 2619 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202, USA
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Peek behind the curtain at Ray Ray's Hog Pit, where the ribs are slow-smoked right out back. Carnivorous locavores will be in heaven at this Buckeye BBQ pit, which smokes up fall-off-the-bone proteins from local farms using hickory and oak logs they harvest from their own woods.
Fatback's Barbecue, 1334 Linden Ave, Dayton, OH 45410, USA
This no-frills BBQ joint is a Dayton institution, with the pulled pork sandwiches a major crowd pleaser. Slathered in sauce, piled high on a toasted bun, this is really all you need.
Combs BBQ Central, 2223 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044, USA
Combs BBQ Central might just be the most "hidden gem" BBQ joint on this list, and it's a definite diamond in the rough. This Middletown joint serves up homestyle barbecue platters that harken back to church potlucks or family reunions, in the very best possible way. The sauce is downright drinkable, and you'll want to slather it on everything.
What are your picks for the best BBQ restaurants in Ohio? If we didn’t visit it on this road trip, nominate it here and tell us why it’s the best!
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More to Explore
Best BBQ Restaurants in Ohio
What are the best restaurants in Ohio?
Looking to dine at the best restaurants in Ohio? Here are some standout spots:
- Forage Public House. Located in lovely Lakewood, Forage Public House is, at its core, fueled by Ohio agriculture. Their menu is colorful and creative; their drinks are inspired; and, all in all, they've quietly become a fan-favorite dining destination. Sustainable farming is all about producing quality crops without damaging the environment, and this practice is behind many ingredients used at Forage.
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Guarino's. This ristorante in Cleveland's Little Italy was established in 1918, making it the oldest Italian restaurant in the city. One of the best restaurants in Ohio, this Cleveland classic has been run by the same family since the beginning, and its history is as noteworthy as its fare. Established just two years prior to Prohibition, the little neighborhood eatery began life as a speakeasy, and was a favorite spot for the Cleveland elite -- and celebrities, with Frank Sinatra among the restaurant's regulars! In terms of cuisine, the recipes are from the Old Country, and feature bright herbs and bold flavors. Guarino's is revered for its lasagna, a family recipe straight from Mama Guarino herself! This restaurant really has stood the test of time, and is a must-visit in Ohio.
- The Spot. Proving that the best restaurants are often the most unassuming, "The Spot" in Sidney is literally the spot to go for a tasty, classic cheeseburger in Ohio! What started out as a chuck wagon more than 100 years ago is now a stationary old-fashioned eatery that will make you feel like you've temporarily stepped foot into a "Happy Days" episode... and we're here for it!
- Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen. Another down-home favorite, there's really nothing that compares to Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen in Mount Hope. Not only does Mrs. Yoder's have the very best pies in the state, this Amish restaurant also has an epic buffet with hearty, stick-to-your-ribs classics such as fried chicken, roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, and green beans. (Just be sure to save room for dessert!)
- The Golden Lamb. The iconic restaurant and inn is the oldest continuously operating business in Ohio, having opened in 1803. It's also one of the most notoriously haunted establishments in Ohio...
- Pier W. This landmark Cleveland area restaurant is suspended over Lake Erie to give customers a cruise-like dining experience -- and the cuisine here is fit for such a superlative spot, too! As we enter the most wonderful (and busiest) season of the year, take a night to relax and enjoy the views and ambiance of this only-in-Ohio restaurant... and feel thankful you live in the beautiful Buckeye State!