Top 12 Best BBQ Restaurants in Portland OR

Hearty, fun, smokey, and zesty, BBQ dishes are popular for a reason. Accompany this with such as coleslaw, cornbread, and collard greens, and I honestly think you have some of the most perfect comfort food in the world. Are you craving BBQ food yet? If so, from traditional to vegan, here are my all-time favorite spots for BBQ in Portland, Oregon…

Our Top 3 Best BBQ Restaurants in Portland
1.
Reverends BBQ l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Beer on Tap
Reverend’s BBQ
2.
Veggie Grill l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Vegetarians and Vegans
Veggie Grill
3.
Dirty Lettuce l Global Grasshopper – travel inspiration for the road less travelled
Best For Vegan BBQ Ribs
Dirty Lettuce
Best For Beer on Tap

Reverend’s BBQ

Reverend's BBQ Portland

Reverend’s BBQ specializes in smoked meats, beer on tap, and serving high-quality fried chicken dishes. 

Located in the Sellwood-Moreland District, it’s known as “your neighbourhood smokehouse.” Choose from St Louis-style smoked pork ribs, Carolina pork shoulder, and other Southern favourites such as hushpuppies and smoked chicken wings. 

If you have a special event that you want catering with food from Reverend’s BBQ, I would suggest contacting them for a free consultation on your catering needs. 

Pros

Have a beer on tap

Well-seasoned BBQ

Super friendly waiting staff

Moist and succulent meat

Cons

Some items are higher priced

Can get very busy

Best For Vegetarians and Vegans

Veggie Grill

Veggie Grill BBQ food Portland

Veggie Grill is your destination for vegan BBQ sandwiches that feature delicious faux meats and I’m a big fan of this place. 

I’d highly recommend trying their signature dishes, such as Buffalo Cobb Salad, Steakhouse Burger, and the Santa Fe Chickin’, for a delicious barbecue taste. The Reuben on Rye and the Tuna Melt are also made with faux meats for a cruelty-free plant-based alternative to the real thing. 

With a wide selection of fresh and tasty salads and feel-good comfort foods such as fries and crispy cauliflower, this makes Veggie Grill one of the best places for vegan BBQ. 

Pros

Cruelty-free plant-based meat

Ample and generous portions

Perfect for grab and go

Great range of dips

Cons

Chain restaurant

Not for your meat-loving friends

Best For Vegan BBQ Ribs

Dirty Lettuce

Dirty Lettuce Vegan Restaurant

The Cully District’s Dirty Lettuce offers 100% vegan BBQ dishes, including seitan BBQ ribs and even Konjac shrimp fries. 

Dirty Lettuce claims that its dishes are “sinful Southern eats” that are completely plant-based. This means you can indulge in hearty catfish platters, cajun shrimp platters, seitan fried chicken, french quarter krab cake plates, crispy fried pickles, mac and cheese, Southern greens, and so much more!

Try botanical seltzers as a way to wash it all down with flavors, including blood orange, vanilla, fuji apple, lavender, ginger, and other flavors. 

Pros

Vegan Southern Staples

Cool and intimate restaurant with funky decor

Tasty seitan-based BBQ ribs

Cons

Small restaurant

Can get crowded

Not for your meat-loving friends

Best For Texas Ribs

Matt’s BBQ

Matt's BBQ Portland

Boise District’s Matt’s BBQ specializes in serving up Texas-style ribs. They claim to be the best Texas BBQ in Portland and Beaverton, and the confidence in their menu and customers raving over the taste is why this business is one of the best places for BBQ in Portland. 

Choose to order online for same-day pick-up, or you can pre-order a meal in advance to pick up within 48 hours or more from the time you have placed the order. 

If you have a big family or informal event, consider Matt’s BBQ for catering services. 

Pros

Famous Texas-style ribs

Dishes are charred to perfection

Offers catering services

Cons

Slow online ordering system

Busier than usual on weekends

Best For Korean BBQ

So Kong Dong Tofu & BBQ

So Kong Dong Tofu & BBQ

So Kong Dong Tofu & BBQ specializes in delicious Korean dishes such as kimchi and bibimbap.

Located in the Powellhurst-Gilbert District in the Fubonn Shopping Center, they serve super large BBQ Combos that feature a mix of beef brisket, beef rib, pork belly, beef bulgogi, and your choice of tofu or soybean paste stew. 

Try their tofu dishes as well, including dumplings soon tofu, squid tofu, vegetable tofu, curry tofu, and many more!

Pros

Savory and rich flavors

Finger-licking good menu

Authentic Korean food

Cook yourself BBQ

Both meat and vegan options

Cons

Crowded on some days

Food may be too spicy for some people

Limited menu

Best For Soulful BBQ

Miss Delta Restaurant and Bar

Miss Delta Restaurant and Bar

Next time you are in the Boise District and craving BBQ, visit Miss Delta Restaurant and Bar!

Try the Smoked Brisket, Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends, or Blackened Shrimp Po’Boy sandwiches for a hearty taste of their BBQ selections. 

Other Southern favourites to indulge in include fried oysters, fried okra, black-eyed peas, coleslaw, cornbread, cheese grits, wedge salad, hush puppies, spare ribs, and fried chicken in their Delta Meal Deals. 

Pros

Authentic Southern BBQ flavors

Diverse menu with Southern classics

Quality smoked meats

Cozy neighborhood atmosphere

Cons

Limited vegetarian options

Potential wait times

Best For Smoked Meats

Smoke Squad

Smoke Squad Portland Oregon

Smoke Squad calls themselves “The real deal BBQ” in the Tigard area, with its restaurant right on the edge of Portland. 

When they smoke their meats, they utilize mixed fruitwood and oak wood for a delicious smoke and flavor for their ribs, brisket, tri-tip, pulled pork, and more. 

They sell ribs singularly, by half the rack and by the full rack. We imagine that you do not want to eat just one rib or even half the rack. Grab a full rack for the best value and share with family and friends!

Pros

Authentic BBQ flavor

Wide variety of smoked meats

Flexible serving options

Perfect for sharing with loved ones

Cons

No chicken options available

Not suitable for vegetarian diners

Best For Exotic BBQ

K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant

K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant 

K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant is best known for its Korean-style DIY BBQ meals. 

LA Galbi, Bulgogi beef, Pork Bulgogi, Spicy Bulgogi, Teriyaki Chicken, and Garlic Chicken are just some of the many Korean BBQ dishes that you can enjoy. 

Besides their Portland location in the Lents District, there are also two other locations in Oregon, including Vancouver and Beaverton. The Beaverton location is coming soon, and opening day will be announced shortly. 

Pros

All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ

Wide variety of BBQ dishes

DIY dining experience

Multiple locations in Oregon

Cons

Limited vegetarian options

Potential long wait times

Best For American Western-themed

Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que

Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que is one of many locations in a BBQ restaurant chain that offers patrons their signature ribs, burgers, and fries, and delicious Southern-inspired, all in an American Western-themed setting. 

Located near the Portland Airport PDX area, choose from St Louis-style ribs, baby back ribs, and burnt ends as your protein. You can order just the protein, or you can make one of them a combo with your choice of sides to customize your delicious BBQ dinner. 

Pros

Signature BBQ ribs and burgers

Southern-inspired menu

Customizable BBQ dinners

American Western-themed ambiance

Cons

Closes early on the weekend

Limited vegetarian options

Potential long wait times

Best For Spicy Cuisine

Kkoki Korean BBQ

Kkoki Korean BBQ  Portland

Kkoki Korean BBQ is stationed in the South Tabor neighborhood in the Powell Street Station.

All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ is Kkoki’s claim to fame. If you prefer to eat at home, there are also to-go and take-out options.

For this option, you can get items per round at the buffet, and you and your party have a maximum 2-hour time limit for you to enjoy your meal before you must be dismissed to let other patrons enjoy the all-you-can-eat experience, too. 

Pros

All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ

Convenient Powell Street location

Varied buffet items

Ideal for group dining

Cons

Time limit of 2 hours for eating

Waiting time up to 30 mins

Best For Asian BBQ

Kim Jong Grillin’

Kim Jong Grillin' Portland

Richmond District’s Kim Jong Grillin’ is a Korean BBQ food cart that offers bulgogi, gabi, spicy chicken, spicy chicken, KJG hot dogs, Japchae, and Kim Chee fried rice. 

What’s known as Portland’s favorite hangover cure is the Bibim Box at Kim Jong Grillin’. You select a protein to put on top of Japchae noodles. The dish is topped off with a fried egg and Gochujang. Select from one of the first four proteins listed above, or you can choose tofu or vegetable to make it a vegetarian option. 

Pros

Fusion of Korean and Southern BBQ

Unique menu with bold flavors

Vegetarian-friendly options available

Convenient food cart location

Cons

Packed on weekends

Limited menu for some dietary preferences

Best For Delicious Desserts

Podnah’s BBQ

Podnah’s BBQ Portland Oregon

Podnah’s BBQ is based in the Vernon District and serves delicious BBQ meats, including brisket, pulled pork, carnitas, smoked links, chicken, and pork spare ribs. You can order just the meat of your choice of meat with 2 sides of cornbread. If you want collard greens or mac and cheese sides for this plate instead, it would cost a couple of dollars extra. 

For your drink, select from hand-poured draft beers, cocktails, wine (by the glass or the bottle), bottled beer, fountain drinks, and water. 

End your delicious Southern favorites meal with pecan pie with Cool Whip or banana pudding!

Pros

Authentic Texas-style BBQ

Wide meat selection

Diverse drink options

Delicious dessert choices

Cons

Limited vegetarian options

Compact space

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