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.

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. Credit: Courtesy photo
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. Credit: 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. Credit: Tom Perkins
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. Credit: Photo via Arkins Sweet BBQ Pit/Facebook
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. Credit: Tom Perkins
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. Credit: Dani Machlis / Alamy Stock Photo
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! Credit: 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. Credit: Tom Perkins
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! Credit: Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q/Facebook
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. Credit: Tom Perkins
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. Credit: Metro Times File Photo
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. Credit: Tom Perkins
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. Credit: Photo via Rogue Estate BBQ/Facebook
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. Credit: Dontae Rockymore
Best Barbecue (Wayne) Slows Bar BQ 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com Credit: Slows Bar BQ / 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. Credit: A.B.'s Amazing Ribs / Facebook
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. Credit: Courtesy photo
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. Credit: Cornbread Restaurant & Bar / Facebook
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. Credit: Google Maps
Nunn’s Bar-B-Que II in Detroit. Credit: Jeff Fournier

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