Although Portland may not have the same reputation as the likes of Texas when it comes to BBQ – it’s still very strong. In fact, I also believe that its BBQ scene is pretty underrated when it comes to other states and cities. Perhaps I’m biased, but I really do love some of the BBQ restaurants out here and believe that they rival other BBQ places around the country. In this article, I have selected my favorite 10 BBQ spots in the Portland area. Enjoy.

1. Matt’s BBQ – 4709 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211
2. Russell Street Bar-B-Que – 325 NE Russell St, Portland, OR 97212
3. Podnah’s Pit BBQ – 1625 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211
4. Clay’s Smokehouse Grill – 2865 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
5. Smokehouse 21 – 413 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
6. The People’s Pig – 3217 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227
7. Reverend’s BBQ – 7712 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
8. Slabtown Ribs & BBQ – 1401 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
9. Matt’s BBQ Tacos – 4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
10. Eem – 3808 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227 (Thai-style BBQ)

Matt’s BBQ

Matt’s BBQ is a food cart located on NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. It’s known for its Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and smoked sausage. They also offer sandwiches, tacos, and sides like mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

Russell Street Bar-B-Que

Russell Street Bar-B-Que is a casual, counter-serve restaurant in NE Portland. They serve classic BBQ dishes like brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, as well as sandwiches and sides like collard greens, baked beans, and mac and cheese. They also have a full bar with cocktails, beer, and wine.

Podnah’s Pit BBQ

Podnah’s Pit is a popular BBQ spot in the Concordia neighborhood of Portland. They specialize in Central Texas-style barbecue, including brisket, ribs, and sausage. They also offer sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, and cornbread. Podnah’s has a full bar with a selection of whiskey, tequila, and mezcal.

Clay’s Smokehouse Grill

Clay’s Smokehouse Grill is a family-owned and operated BBQ restaurant in SE Portland. They serve smoked meats like brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, as well as sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Their sides include potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans. Clay’s also has a kids menu and a selection of desserts.

Smokehouse 21

Smokehouse 21 is a contemporary BBQ restaurant in NW Portland. They serve meats like brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, as well as sandwiches and burgers. Their sides include mac and cheese, baked beans, and collard greens. Smokehouse 21 also has a selection of craft cocktails and local beers on tap.

The People’s Pig

The People’s Pig is a BBQ joint in the North Williams neighborhood of Portland. They serve meats like brisket, pork belly, and pork shoulder, as well as sandwiches and salads. Their sides include cornbread, coleslaw, and pickles. The People’s Pig also has a full bar with cocktails, beer, and wine.

Reverend’s BBQ

Reverend’s BBQ is a family-friendly BBQ restaurant in SE Portland. They serve meats like brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, as well as sandwiches and salads. Their sides include mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread. Reverend’s also has a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.

Slabtown Ribs & BBQ

Slabtown Ribs & BBQ is a casual BBQ restaurant in NW Portland. They serve meats like brisket, ribs, and pulled pork, as well as sandwiches and salads. Their sides include baked beans, coleslaw, and mac and cheese. Slabtown also has a selection of beer and wine.

Matt’s BBQ Tacos

Matt’s BBQ Tacos is another food cart operated by the same team as Matt’s BBQ. As the name suggests, they specialize in BBQ tacos, with fillings like brisket, pulled pork, and smoked chicken. They also offer sides like mac and cheese and elote (grilled Mexican street corn).

Eem

Eem is a BBQ and Thai restaurant in the North Williams neighborhood of Portland. They serve meats like brisket, ribs, and smoked chicken, as well as Thai dishes like papaya salad and green curry. Their sides include sticky rice, fried rice, and crispy Brussels sprouts. Eem also has a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.