Classic metro Detroit barbecue spots everyone should try

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, May 19, 2023 at 10:40 am

Jeff Fournier

Nunn’s Bar-B-Que II in Detroit.

When the smoky, tempting smell of charred meats starts wafting through the air it can only mean one thing: it’s summertime, and barbecue season is in full swing. In the Detroit area, we have no shortage of top-notch spots to satisfy your carnivorous cravings. Here are some of our favorites.

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Dani Machlis / Alamy Stock Photo

Bert’s Market Place
2727 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-2030; bertsentertainmentcomplex.com

Experiencing Bert’s Saturday morning barbecue cookout is a must. Their mouthwatering slabs of ribs and smoked sausage are expertly cooked on a large charcoal grill, creating irresistible aromas that fill Eastern Market. And to top it off, they even offer karaoke for added entertainment.

Courtesy photo

Southern Smokehouse
14340 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-397-4050; thesouthernsmokehouse.com

This grab-and-go joint opened in 2013 by brothers Kevin and Dwayne Hayes. Customers can get a view of dishes like ribs, fried chicken, and the like displayed from behind glass before they order.

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Tom Perkins

Bad Brad’s BBQ
Various locations; badbradsbbq.com

Having opened its latest restaurant in Livonia, following locations in Clinton Township, New Baltimore, Shelby Township, and Orion Township, you know Bad Brad’s can’t be bad. Try the point cut brisket.

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Tom Perkins

The Smokehouse & Deli at Holiday Market
1203 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-541-1414; holiday-market.com/smokehouse-and-deli

Believe it or not, some of the best brisket in the area can be found at Royal Oak’s upscale Holiday Market grocery store. The grills are helmed by Kirk Churchill, who previously worked at J-Bird Smoked Meats in Keego Harbor.

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Photo via Arkins Sweet BBQ Pit/Facebook

Arkins Sweet BBQ Pit
30140 Southfield Rd., Southfield; 248-731-7397; arkinsbbq.com

You might assume that this perfect brisket comes courtesy of a Texas transplant. Wrong. Owner Arkan Karana was born in Iraq and cut his teeth running a pit behind a Taylor party store before opening shop in 2015.

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Tom Perkins

BBQ Central
Various locations; bbqcentraldet.com

Owner Denita Ramsey perfects her pork and beef rib tips by serving them in a pool of sweet and savory sauce. This local chain has locations in Detroit, Oak Park, and Inkster.

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Tom Perkins

Joe Ann’s Bar B-Q
3139 Jerome St., Detroit; 313-366-3775; joeannsbbq.com

Joe Ann’s is one of the longest-running barbecue operations in Detroit (if not the longest-running), in business since 1951. A sign on this bright yellow building declares its namesake to be Detroit’s “BBQ Queen.” See for yourself!

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Tom Perkins

Vicki’s Bar-B-Q
3845 W. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-894-9906; facebook.com/Vickis.bar.b.q

A perennial local favorite thanks to its St. Louis-style cut ribs that Vicki’s cooks over an open pit, though the real secret is in the vinegar- and tomato-based sauce.

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Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q/Facebook

Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q
7444 Beaubien Blvd., Detroit; 313-873-7444; parksoldstylebar-b-q.com

Edward Parks opened the restaurant in 1964 and now cooks up between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds of ribs weekly. Beware the hot sauce — it’s hot!

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Tom Perkins

Lee’s Texas Style Barbecue
14001 Fenkell Ave., Detroit; 313-452-4940

Lee’s specializes in ribs, chicken, seafood, and delectable made-from-scratch soul food sides, such as a truly decadent five-cheese mac and cheese. Co-owner Felicia Poole says their slow-cooking charcoal technique is inspired by her Texas grandfather, who established five Lee’s locations in the late 1970s.

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Metro Times File Photo

Uptown Famous BBQ
15700 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-7590; uptown-bbq.com

This University District area spot serves up racks coated in a thick glaze of deep red, slightly sweet sauce alongside classic sides like mac and cheese and black-eyed peas.

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Tom Perkins

Nunn’s Bar-B-Que II
19196 Conant St., Detroit; 313-893-7210; nunnsbbq.com

In business since 1984, Nunn’s meat is so tender it slides right off the bone. As far as sides go, the potato salad and the vinegary greens are favorites.

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Photo via Rogue Estate BBQ/Facebook

Rogue Estate BBQ
600 Woodward Heights, Ferndale; 248-721-4878; facebook.com/ILoveREBBQ

This food truck parked in an industrial park in Ferndale in 2015, decorating its lot with colorful flags. It’s run by Bob Peyre, a former computer engineer who decided to go all-in on his passion for barbecue.

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Dontae Rockymore

Woodpile BBQ Shack
303 S. Main St., Clawson | 630 E. Eleven Mile Rd., Madison | woodpilebbqshack.com

First launched in 2015 in a former Clawson A&W drive-in, this spot has since expanded with a Madison Heights location. You’ll find cuts cooked low and slow over wood, spanning a variety of regional barbecue styles.

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Slows Bar BQ / Facebook

Slows Bar BQ
2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com

Slows has generated plenty of buzz since opening in Corktown back in 2005. While the founding Cooley family sold their shares in the company in early 2023, it’s now owned by founding chef Brian Perrone, managing director Terry Perrone, and catering director Josh Keillor, who plan to tweak the menu in time for Ford Motor Co.’s new Michigan Central Station offices.

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A.B.'s Amazing Ribs / Facebook

A.B.’s Amazing Ribs
27310 Ford Rd., Dearborn; 313-914-2159; abamazingribs.com

This spot has made a name for itself selling halal beef barbecue to Dearborn’s Arab community. The portions are huge, but once the day’s offerings are gone, they’re gone.

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Courtesy photo

Detroit BBQ Company
711 E. Eight Mile Rd., Ferndale; 586-855-9012; detbbq.com

Tracing its origin to 2009 by two brothers and their friend selling ribs and chicken at the Grosse Pointe farmers market, the Detroit BBQ Company has continued to grow, beloved for smoking its meat over local oak and hickory wood each day.

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Cornbread Restaurant & Bar / Facebook

Cornbread Restaurant & Bar
29852 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-208-1680; cornbreadsoulfood.com

Originally launched as Beans & Cornbread in 1997, this local favorite rebranded in 2021 as Cornbread Restaurant and Bar. The menu largely remains the same, with southern classics like BBQ rib tips, fried chicken, and catfish.

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Google Maps

The Regal Beagle
817 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-961-7045; regalbeagleypsi.com

A former biker bar with a seedy reputation, the Regal Beagle came under new management in 2021, adding barbecue to its menu. Pit master Kurt Prowell smokes his meat over Michigan cherry wood in large smokers outside. The restaurant also added live music entertainment.

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