11 Barbecue Bets Around Connecticut

A nationally ranking barbecue joint, Hindsight BBQ is your friendly neighborhood barbecue spot, offering two locations and popping up at cool spots via their food truck. Dig into their rotating burger of the day, along with favorites like rib platters, pit-smoked wings, hot honey brussels sprouts, and Texas Twinkies (brisket and cheese stuffed jalapeños wrapped in bacon).

Named one of the top barbecue spots in the nation, Hoodoo brings Texan outlaw-style barbecue to Connecticut. Stuff your face with crispy, smokey, chicken and turkey, mouthwatering ribs, monsterous sandwiches, mac & cheese, apple vinegar slaw, and so much more.

For those really serious about barbecue,  Hoodoo offers Barbecue School where you can learn preparation from the pros.

Try what some say is the best authentic wood-smoked Kansas City style barbeque in Connecticut. With locations in Hartford, Windsor and South Windsor, Bear’s is also the Official BBQ of the UConn Huskies!

Everyone seems to love Chester's in Groton, where the chili is a favorite and the brisket sandwich is a must-try. Take a bite of smokey flavors in the restaurant, or book catering for your next backyard celebration.

This landmark restaurant in downtown Hartford serves up southern cooking in a unique atmosphere. The St. Louis pork ribs kick up the flavor and the Harlem chicken & waffles blend sweet and savory just right. 

Pick the right night to go here and you'll get live music along with your maple-bourbon baby back ribs and house-made Andouille sausage. This popular Bridgeport spot offers good vibes along with great bites.

Judy’s is pure Americana wrapped in casual surroundings for a neighborhood that’s on the move. Whether it’s shaking cocktails, frying chicken, smoking meats, pickling vegetables, stirring grits, shredding slaw, grilling burgers, baking pies, or playing music, everybody is having a great time at Judy's.

Discover authentic, mouth-watering barbecue, fresh local produce and good conversation at this former full-service gas station in Branford. 

Here you'll find pulled pork and brisket sandwiches and smoker specials. Honey butter cornbread as a side. Peach blueberry pie for dessert. The flavor never stops.

Bite into barbecue favorites from smoked crispy pork ribs and smokey brisket poutine to the Spicy Nashville Chicken Sandwich and skillet mac & cheese with all the fixings at this cool, casual joint.

At Thomas' Smokey Pit Stop, BBQ is what they do. Devour incredible creations like pulled pork grilled cheeses, brisket baked potatoes, spicy smoked sausage sandwiches, and the Brisket Pit Bomb: brisket on a hard roll topped with baked mac 'n cheese, coleslaw, and bacon.