Was filling out the Best of in the Gazette and came to a stumbling block when I got to best BBQ. I was trying to think, but couldnt come up with one. I dont include Iron Starr when thinking of a bbq place (although its good), Earls is fine but nothing that blows me away by any means. Have heard good things about Holly's but havent checked it out yet. So I ask, where is the best BBQ in OKC area?

Also, where is the best place to find Carolina-style BBQ?



FWIW, my favorite bbq sandwich comes from Tom Cat Corner, just mile before Sailboat Bridge heading into Grove.

Oklahoma has more prolific and more lousy BBQ joints than any state I have ever been in. It is just a place where people hang a shingle on a dump and charge a TON of money for crap BBQ. There are some good ones...but--hard to tell since it is so much a matter of opinion when someone say "go there!"...and NO ONE makes decent beans--of any sort or type--in a BBQ restaurant. Bring your own in Tupperware if you want any....

I've eaten BBQ at a dozen or more places around the metro. Usually the meats are good but the sides are hit & miss. However, I always enjoy my trusty standby Van's. http://www.pigstands.com/locations.shtml

I always liked JR's but they closed the one I usually went to.

Vans, Earls, Kens (haven't been in ages), Billy Sims, Swadleys (best spicy beans in town).

GFF Foods in Moore (take out only), or Bad Brad's in Yukon.

gff foods in moore

some of the stuff they have is good, especially for the price. the smoked 'turkey' they sell, however, is an abomination. -M

I've eaten BBQ at a dozen or more places around the metro. Usually the meats are good but the sides are hit & miss. However, I always enjoy my trusty standby Van's. http://www.pigstands.com/locations.shtml

I spent almost every day after school in Jr. High at Strick's BBQ (now Van's)...when it was owned and run by O.M. and Vera Stricklin after they moved from a Campus Corner location they owned before that. It was a good place...my buddy was their son and his mother would always ask after school..."want a sandwich?" I acquiesced... :tiphat:

... his mother would always ask after school..."want a sandwich?" I acquiesced... :tiphat:

Like a good friend should. Bravo!

I miss Gary dale's BBQ!!!!

Vans, Jacks, Oklahoma Station, Swadleys, Bad Brads, Iron Starr

Van's
Sooner Legends
Ray's (excluding the chicken, at least for me and mine.)
Leo's (for the tradition of it if nothing else)

After the above, a dartboard is as good a solution as any. These days I rarely go beyond Van's before making my choice.

Like a good friend should. Bravo!

I looked at it as a duty--a sort of social compact tied to good breeding...obligatory, I suppose one might say...

What is that place in Chickasha which is pretty good...?

What is that place in Chickasha which is pretty good...?

Jake's Rib?

Jake's Rib?

Bingo! Pretty decent joint...I always get dragged there with friends who take me to see the Christmas Lights...although--last time we waited about TWO HOURS standing around to get in. They are old friends or I would have said what I was thinking..."I would not wait THIS LONG to witness the Second Coming!"...just joshing of course...I have been known to be hyperbolic at times...

I think Holley's ( NE corner 39th and Portland) is very, very good but their hours are limited. Spencer's (23rd and Post) in Choctaw was my go-to place when I lived out that way. . .I think they used to be involved/in business with Gary Dale's.

Bingo! Pretty decent joint...I always get dragged there with friends who take me to see the Christmas Lights...although--last time we waited about TWO HOURS standing around to get in. They are old friends or I would have said what I was thinking..."I would not wait THIS LONG to witness the Second Coming!"...just joshing of course...I have been known to be hyperbolic at times...

Ha! Been there, done that. I have a solution. A few years ago we went to Jake's before going to see the lights and - yep - two hour wait. So, I simply sat in the car and called the order in "to go." It was ready in 30 minutes. We then drove up the road to a tiny biker bar called the "General Lee." We asked if we could bring our food in and they said as long as I gave the bartender a rib or two and bought our drinks from them then we were welcome. Ended up calling in another larger order, picking it up and turned the night into a party. Tiny place with a pool table, juke box and lots of cold beer. Very friendly place.

Ha! Been there, done that. I have a solution. A few years ago we went to Jake's before going to see the lights and - yep - two hour wait. So, I simply sat in the car and called the order in "to go." It was ready in 30 minutes. We then drove up the road to a tiny biker bar called the "General Lee." We asked if we could bring our food in and they said as long as I gave the bartender a rib or two and bought our drinks from them then we were welcome. Ended up calling in another larger order, picking it up and turned the night into a party. Tiny place with a pool table, juke box and lots of cold beer. Very friendly place.

NOW THAT--is innovation and splendid problem solving! Great idea to remember--in all cases like this. You get a 12-pack of No.2 Eberhard Faber pencils--pre-sharpened! :tiphat:

We like Holley's, but agree they have limited hours. We like Swadley's too.

While I'm no great judge of BBQ, the rest of my family are, and we all like Swadley's (the one on Memorial is the only one we go to). I do like their "sweet beans" and their pulled pork is out of this world...

Wow, is this a subjective topic. The main problem is that everyone has a different opinion of what good BBQ is. Mine is the that the best is made in my own backyard.

To the beans topic above I have to disagree. Holley's (previously Bubba's) does have good beans as well as Leo's.

As far as best BBQ in Okc area I will give my opinion. Please remember that it is just an opinoin based upon my preferences. I have broken them down into three categories in no particular order.

Best
Holleys (Bubba's)
Bedlam
Bad Brads
Leo's
Jacks
Tom's (Not sure if it is still open)

Rest
Oklahoma Station
Jacks
Smokeys
Vans
Swadleys
JT's

Try to Avoid
Rib Crib
Earl's
Pappys
Billy Sims
Jakes Rib (Sides are the only thing worth mentioning)

Steve's rib on Hefner

Holly's is totally seperate from Bubba's, different owner. I love Bubba's though, cant wait until the 23rd st location opens.

Wow, is this a subjective topic. The main problem is that everyone has a different opinion of what good BBQ is. Mine is the that the best is made in my own backyard.

To the beans topic above I have to disagree. Holley's (previously Bubba's) does have good beans as well as Leo's.

As far as best BBQ in Okc area I will give my opinion. Please remember that it is just an opinoin based upon my preferences. I have broken them down into three categories in no particular order.

Best
Holleys (Bubba's)
Bedlam
Bad Brads
Leo's
Jacks
Tom's (Not sure if it is still open)

Rest
Oklahoma Station
Jacks
Smokeys
Vans
Swadleys
JT's

Try to Avoid
Rib Crib
Earl's
Pappys
Billy Sims
Jakes Rib (Sides are the only thing worth mentioning)

I have to agree with you on Jakes, talk to anyone that goes there, all they mention are the sides, especialy the fries. Jakes is OK if you favor quanity over quality.

Holly's is totally seperate from Bubba's, different owner. I love Bubba's though, cant wait until the 23rd st location opens.

It is definetly different owners but the food remains pretty similar (menu, meats,beans, chip fries, etc.) although the new owners have added a few new items and a relish bar.

BTW, I really enjoy their 1/2 chicken special on Thursday's.

I'm not positive but I believe there is a a gentlemen that still cooks and works that that did when it was Bubba's??

What is this about a 23rd street location? For a new Bubba's? Where on 23rd?

Steve's rib on Hefner

Ooops, I forgot Steve's Rib in my list. Steve's is good but IMO, way over priced, even for BBQ.

That is the problem with evaluating BBQ. There are so many variables from suaces, sides, presentation, atmosphere, smokiness of meat, price, etc. that all come into play and each person evaluates BBQ differently on some merit or combination of.

Yes, the same Bubba's is opening a new spot on nw 23rd and Walker, I believe. It is by Cuppies and Joes and across from Big Truck. They have a sign up, I drove by last week and it looked like its a month or so away.

the little stand inside the Buy For Less on north 25th and Penn, while only open fri-sat-sun, has pretty good brisket and ribs. they have no sides, and its a good place close by to get some q to go. for about 10 bucks you can get half a pound of sliced brisket and close to half slab of ribs.

it seems like the few other bbq places around always run out of something so its like go early or don't go at all. happened at leo's most recently on a friday night at about 730 pm. only things left were smoked turkey and ribs...

Holly was a long time employee at Bubba's on 39th and Portland. I thought she took over the restaurant because the owner retired? I am surprised the new place on 23rd is owned by the same person. Does anyone know if this place is really owned by the same person or not, or is it just speculation?

Bigray in Ok

Bigray, i'm sure it is the same guy. He also does the bbq inside the stadium at OU football games.

Also, where is the best place to find Carolina-style BBQ?





Wilburs bbq on Hwy 70 in Goldsboro.

I'm going to assume by Carolina style you mean Eastern nc style and not western nc style (lexington) and certainly not SC style (mustard based sauce)

Either way, the only place you're going to get real BBQ is to either show up at my house when i'm cooking a pig, order it from somewhere like Kings bbq (oink express online) drive east for about 18 hours, or you could always go the, make it yourself route. All you really need is about 12 hours, a boston butt, and a smoker. I can send you the recipe for my sauce or you could look online and try one of the many Eastern NC style sauces.

Leaving bbq behind was one of the hardest things about leaving NC. I like brisket, but it's not bbq. Smartest thing i ever did was start making my own. I also got lucky and moved right across the street from fellow Raleigh NC native. Hes retired so he gets back to NC much more often than i do these days. I can always count on him bringing me back a few quarts of BBQ from wilburs and he knows if i'm smoking a hog, he will eat good for a few days.

I've thought many times about opening a NC style bbq place here in OK. Either that or just having a bbq place that offers all the different styles of bbq - memphis, ENC, WNC, KC, and texas/ok.

Brisket is not BBQ? I thought BBQ was a process, not a definition of the meat used. I have been all over the country and love barbecue wherever I go, but I don't question the choices of meat, I like some better than others. I would be curious as to why you think brisket is not barbecue.
C. T.
l
Wilburs bbq on Hwy 70 in Goldsboro.

I'm going to assume by Carolina style you mean Eastern nc style and not western nc style (lexington) and certainly not SC style (mustard based sauce)

Either way, the only place you're going to get real BBQ is to either show up at my house when i'm cooking a pig, order it from somewhere like Kings bbq (oink express online) drive east for about 18 hours, or you could always go the, make it yourself route. All you really need is about 12 hours, a boston butt, and a smoker. I can send you the recipe for my sauce or you could look online and try one of the many Eastern NC style sauces.

Leaving bbq behind was one of the hardest things about leaving NC. I like brisket, but it's not bbq. Smartest thing i ever did was start making my own. I also got lucky and moved right across the street from fellow Raleigh NC native. Hes retired so he gets back to NC much more often than i do these days. I can always count on him bringing me back a few quarts of BBQ from wilburs and he knows if i'm smoking a hog, he will eat good for a few days.

I've thought many times about opening a NC style bbq place here in OK. Either that or just having a bbq place that offers all the different styles of bbq - memphis, ENC, WNC, KC, and texas/ok.

Ooops, I forgot Steve's Rib in my list. Steve's is good but IMO, way over priced, even for BBQ.

That is the problem with evaluating BBQ. There are so many variables from suaces, sides, presentation, atmosphere, smokiness of meat, price, etc. that all come into play and each person evaluates BBQ differently on some merit or combination of.


Steve's Rib would probably be my Death Row meal but man have their prices skyrocketed. When they were in the shopping center at the corner of Santa Fe and Second a slab of ribs were $12.99, now they are $21.99, guess they have to pay for that new building....

Love Steve's Rib especially their pulled pork...But I kinda laugh when I order their $12 lunch sandwich special

Love Steve's Rib especially their pulled pork...But I kinda laugh when I order their $12 lunch sandwich special

That's what I was talking about earlier! Especially when pulled pork is one of the cheapest, easiest, and most forgiving cuts of meat to smoke!

Of all the places that I have tried that have been mention Sooner Legends is by far my favorite.
They serve a higher quality of meat compared to many other places.
They also have good Mexican food on their menu along with a few other things.

Brisket is not BBQ? I thought BBQ was a process, not a definition of the meat used. I have been all over the country and love barbecue wherever I go, but I don't question the choices of meat, I like some better than others. I would be curious as to why you think brisket is not barbecue.
C. T.
l
That's an affliction that some Carolina people have, thinking they are the only ones who know what BBQ is....they really are worse than some of the Texans that I am around about BBQ .

Absolutely loved the Sloppy Jakes at Jakes Rib and the Armadillo Eggs are great too. Cant really comment about the rest of the menu as I don't think I ever ventured from those items. We used to go there for special dinners (Mother's Day, birthdays etc) but got burned out on the wait, travel time etc. Havent been there since my Grandmother died a few years back.

There was a BBQ take out place that had awesome amounts of food for the price inside the front door at the Homeland on 122nd & May but they left. My favorite items was this multi-meat sandwich (could make 2 or 3 meals out of it) and they had excellent ginormous shredded brisket SPICY burritos. If anyone knows where they moved to, please post!

There was a BBQ take out place that had awesome amounts of food for the price inside the front door at the Homeland on 122nd & May but they left. My favorite items was this multi-meat sandwich (could make 2 or 3 meals out of it) and they had excellent ginormous shredded brisket SPICY burritos. If anyone knows where they moved to, please post!
When was this? I know someone who worked there until 91-92, she might know who it was if the one you are talking about is from that era.

I know that Steve's Rib started out at the Homeland at Edmond Road & Santa Fe.

Bluedog: Couple of years ago, maybe a little more. They left when they expanded/remodeled the deli are of the store. Don't know how many years they were there. For some reason the name John's Smokehouse or something like that is stuck in my head.

I think it was John's when she was there although I think it may have changed hands sometime after she left Homeland but they kept the name.

Tom's (1973-1980. Under I-35 at 10th St. Now just a memory . . . I think)
George's (on N. Kelly--before they moved to Spencer into a closed Sonic location on 36th St., then closed.)
Mr. T's / Mr. Spriggs (One of them located in the historic former Dean's Drive-In in Shady Nook)
[No Name] BBQ (c. 1980-something, in the convenience store, at the east edge of Jones)

Currently:
If I want Barbecue, it's at Oklahoma Station. 50th Street Location.

(Yet, several of the other suggestions sound like they are worth checking out.)

I'm not sure about Tom's, their sign says they are remodeling. But WOW, George's? I haven't heard about his place since the early 70's.
C. T.

Tom's (1973-1980. Under I-35 at 10th St. Now just a memory . . . I think)
George's (on N. Kelly--before they moved to Spencer into a closed Sonic location on 36th St., then closed.)
Mr. T's / Mr. Spriggs (One of them located in the historic former Dean's Drive-In in Shady Nook)
[No Name] BBQ (c. 1980-something, in the convenience store, at the east edge of Jones)

Currently:
If I want Barbecue, it's at Oklahoma Station. 50th Street Location.

(Yet, several of the other suggestions sound like they are worth checking out.)

After Piggy's closed down in Bricktown, I just focused on making bbq for myself. Bought an Oklahoma Joes smoker and started learning. I never go out for bbq any more...

My wife bought a Chuck Wagon smoker (a birthday gift in the early nineties) with the drop down firebox which is made almost exactly the same way as the Oklahoma Joe's. Same steel pipe, a few little differences. I enjoyed it but it's always nice to get good food (bbq) that somebody else has prepared.
C. T.

After Piggy's closed down in Bricktown, I just focused on making bbq for myself. Bought an Oklahoma Joes smoker and started learning. I never go out for bbq any more...

If you ever near Denton Texas, there's a BBQ joint called Fat Belly's, excellant food. If I lived closer, I could/would soon be large enough to be a personal spokesperson.

I just remembered a VERY good BBQ place that used to be out on SE 29th (around Henny or Choctaw Rd.)
I think the name of the place was "Piggy's" and they had some . . . interesting Tee Shirts.

(The most overrated BBQ I ever tried was that place out in Wellston. Isn't there a BBQ in the boonies between Arcadia and Luther? On the N. side of Rt. 66 . . .?)

Yes, it's called The Boundary on 66. I haven't eaten there but I am planning on giving it a try soon.
C. T.

I just remembered a VERY good BBQ place that used to be out on SE 29th (around Henny or Choctaw Rd.)
I think the name of the place was "Piggy's" and they had some . . . interesting Tee Shirts.

(The most overrated BBQ I ever tried was that place out in Wellston. Isn't there a BBQ in the boonies between Arcadia and Luther? On the N. side of Rt. 66 . . .?)

They're not my favorite BBQ spot but I got a 3 meat dinner to-go at Dale's BBQ House @ 11801 S Western last week and the ribs and pulled pork were really good but the brisket was only pretty good. Overall quality of meat was very good but I just like a lot more smoke and bark on my brisket. The reason I bring it up though is because they completely filled a Styrofoam to-go container for around 13 bucks and a pretty good sized container separate for baked beans. I'm a big guy but this one order lasted 2 very full meals. Very good value and very clean location.

My favorite BBQ is at Elmer's in Tulsa. I haven't picked out a favorite straight up BBQ place in OKC yet but there is a lot of stiff competition. For overall experience, atmosphere, bar, and other cuisine optionsthat most BBQ places don't carry (Steak, fish, burgers, etc), I LOVE Kona Ranch. Kona Ranch and Shorty smalls are the two places I can drag someone who isn't in the mood for BBQ when I need to get a BBQ fix. Any other places like these Kona and Shorty's that serve BBQ but offer non BBQ items? Anyone?

Anyone here ever tried 'Beef & Buns - Mr. Catfish'?

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/500087/restaurant/Inner-City-Northside/Beef-Buns-Mr-Catfish-Oklahoma-City

Had a friend tell me they went there the other day and said both the BBQ and Catfish were excellent.

I've never heard of it, but it has apparently been around awhile. Only open Thursday through Saturday she told me.

... Any other places ... that serve BBQ but offer non BBQ items? Anyone?


Sooner Legend's at 24th SW & Lindsey in Norman and any of the Van's Pig Stands.
The brisket at Coach's in Norman is ok, but not omg gotta go get me some great. I would assume the same for Coach's in OKC.

You can get some BBQ at Hibachi Supreme Buffet, but I wouldn't. It's probably the only offering they have which I will never try again, though they do many other items quite well.

Anyone here ever tried 'Beef & Buns - Mr. Catfish'?

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/500087/restaurant/Inner-City-Northside/Beef-Buns-Mr-Catfish-Oklahoma-City

Had a friend tell me they went there the other day and said both the BBQ and Catfish were excellent.

I've never heard of it, but it has apparently been around awhile. Only open Thursday through Saturday she told me.

New one to try, though I wish their advertised hours went later than 8 pm. That's earlier than I prefer to do dinner, especially in the summer months. Might make a nice lunch some Saturday.

LOL. BBQ at an oriental place is not the same animal as at a BBQ joint...gosh that sounded bad, as if I was saying they were using different animals for the BBQ, not meaning that at all, just that is oriental style BBG and not Western style (with all of its variations)

I guess you could always go to Arby's for their Arby-Q. LOL (Don't, it is horrid, but I do love there Angus 3 cheese roast beef thingy)

Larry, if that was referencing my post, the Q at Hibachi is not an oriental style. It's presented as plain old regular bbq. It just wasn't very good in my opinion, though most of their other offerings are rather yummy. I qualify ir as most because there are some things I have nor or will not try simply because I do not find them interesting. Sushi is one example.

Also, the question I was addressing was specifically about places where Q is an available option, as contrasted to Q being the primary option.

Went to Beef & Buns, Mr. Catfish with a group today to try it out. What a find. VERY clean place, really friendly owners (former Broadway Ford family - the bull statue is even out front) and the food was great.

We all did the catfish & rib dinner (see photo). Just the way I like catfish; lightly battered with no grease soaking into the napkin. The ribs had good flavor and plenty of meat on them. I did the cole slaw and baked beans. Slaw was creamy and the beans had some spice. Very good and we will be back. We were nervous at first because there were no other dinners at noon and by the time we left only one customer had come in. Maybe this is just another OKC secret that has yet to be discovered.

Hours are Thurs - Sat until 8pm. Exit I-35 at NE 23 and go East about a block, on the north side of the road (almost NE 23 and Bryant - 2741 NE 23). I can't express enough how clean and friendly the place is. Much better option than BoBo's on that part of town.

Urban spoon link - http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/500087/restaurant/Inner-City-Northside/Beef-Buns-Mr-Catfish-Oklahoma-City

Blog Post - http://blog.wimgo.com/cornerbooth/2010/02/19/beef-buns-go-here-now/

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/5254/screenshot20110707at205.png

Jack's BBQ

That's a mighty fine looking starter plate there Brian. I think I need to get by there for a lunch soon. I like good places that are not packed to the roof.

Larry, if that was referencing my post, the Q at Hibachi is not an oriental style. It's presented as plain old regular bbq. It just wasn't very good in my opinion, though most of their other offerings are rather yummy. I qualify ir as most because there are some things I have nor or will not try simply because I do not find them interesting. Sushi is one example.

Also, the question I was addressing was specifically about places where Q is an available option, as contrasted to Q being the primary option.

It was and my bad...I don't frequent Oriental places often and have only found the Oriental style BBQ (Mongolian etc).

Hibachi Supreme buffet is a trying to be all things to all place. A really decent oriental buffet, a separate sushi area, for those who indulge, two hibachi grills, a small bbq section, plus mac/cheese, some other all american grub even a pizza or two.

I won't usually roll to OKC for a buffet, as Norman has several different ones, but I'm not thinking of anyone with a wider overall variety than Hibachi.