The Best BBQ Restaurants in Toronto

The best BBQ restaurants in Toronto are temples of meat devoted to time-honoured cooking traditions. In Hogtown, a surge of new smokehouses have hardly matured but have zealously taken up the artform (or is it a sport?) with deep reverence to the legendary pits of the Southern states. What was once a catch-all category for anything covered in mesquite sauce is now yielding serious smoke-infused fare: dry, bark encrusted ribs, briskets ribboned with fat and spoon-torn pork shoulders...I'm salivating at the thought.

Here's are the best BBQ restaurants in Toronto.

See also:

The Best BBQ Chicken in Toronto
The Best Ribs in Toronto

The Stockyards

The Stockyards does pulled pork and BBQ beef brisket sandwiches all week long, but on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, pit smoked chickens ($14) and spice crusted racks of ribs ($26) cook all day for a 5 o’clock debut that regularly sells out soon after. In true Carolina style, the ribs are dry and peel off the bone with little effort, the meat is so good that sauce is entirely unnecessary (though still available on the side for those that must). More »

Electric Mud

The duo behind Grand Electric throws tradition out the window at this recently opened Parkdale BBQ joint. Dainty portions of chopped peanut and chive topped ribs (served three for $13.50) are known for their unique flavour rather than value, but it’s the frenetic bourbon fueled atmosphere that makes Electric Mud a fun destination all the same. More »

Barque Smokehouse

Named for that delicious crust formed by the alchemy of smoke, meat, fat and time, this well loved Roncesvalles smokehouse boasts a menu full of brisket, back ribs, sausage, beef ribs and chicken, available a la carte ($6-14) or on sampling platters ($25 per person/$45 per couple). Smoke infused brunchtime offerings like the brisket topped Barque Benny ($14) still draws line-ups even two years after opening. More »

Memphis BBQ (Woodbridge)

This branch from the sprawling Big Bone BBQ chain is unique to its Woodbridge neighbourhood but loudly proclaims affiliation to Memphis. It’s also the winner of 50+ Ontario BBQ competitions offering down-and-dirty roadside fare like tender smoked chicken wings ($9.75/lb) and rib dinners ($10-$21) that will leave you covered in sauce upto your elbows. More »

Stack Restaurant

Situated on Yonge Street, this comfy, casual restaurant emulates select barbecue styles cherry-picked from the best of the Southern U.S. barbecue belt. The Lexington (North Carolina) vinegar-sauced pulled pork ($10) and heavily rubbed, sweet and salty Memphis brisket ($10) are amongst the highlights on the meaty a la carte menu. More »

Paul and Sandy's

Staying true to time-honoured slow cooking methods, Paul & Sandy's Real Barbecue Co. in Etobicoke serves up dry-rubbed, Kansas City style ribs ($12/half or $20/full) plus chicken, pork, beef brisket and even smoked meatloaf dinners for $11.50. Doled out in paper-lined baskets, most dinners include a selection of two sides from the customary array of baked beans, creamy slaw and red skin potato salad. More »

Holy Smokez

Operating out of a retail storefront, this Mississauga takeout counter dedicates it’s attention exclusively to the pit. You can’t even get fries. They don’t have a fryer. Taking cues from South Carolina and Texas, the emphasis is entirely on sandwiches ($4-8) piled high with hickory smoked beef brisket, coarsely shredded chicken or pulled pork that melts tenderly with each bite. More »

Aft Kitchen & Bar

Though it resists the label of BBQ joint, smoke plays heavily into the nightly specials at this recently opened Riverside restaurant. The menu offers reverential Southern foods (not just BBQ, but fried too) along with wood smoked burgers ($13), tender wings ($14) and toothsome ribs ($19) from resident pitmaster, Lawrence LaPianta. More »

Leslieville Pumps

This gas station come urban smokehouse makes BBQ roadside grub their niche with a takeout menu full slow cooked favourites. Sandwiches ($7.75) heaping with forked beef brisket, pulled pork or hickory smoked chicken thighs are meals on their own but, essential sides are here too, like BBQ corn salad, slaw, beans and corn fritters available for $3-4 each. More »