Best BBQ in Cleveland.

A downtown anchor for BBQ in Cleveland, this two level barbecue hall on East 4th Street has communal tables and a long bourbon bar. Known for its Cleveland style kielbasa and the Polish Girl sandwich.

• kielbasa
• bourbon
• downtown
• group friendly

Small barbecue joint on Madison Avenue at West 117th, right at the Lakewood border. Pulled pork, sides and po boys are the orders to get.

• pulled pork
• po boys
• casual

Menu changes often; some recent comments note inconsistency.

Barbecue bar on Madison Avenue in Lakewood with a patio and a rotating menu of classic plates. Get the ribs, rib tips or wings, and come for happy hour meat combos or Taco Tuesday.

• ribs
• happy hour
• patio
• wings
• tacos

Smokehouse on SOM Center Road in Mayfield Village, run by the owners of the Village Butcher next door. A top pick for east side BBQ in Cleveland, open Tuesday through Saturday until 7 PM.

• east side
• smokehouse
• closes early

No frills counter serve barbecue spot on Lorain Avenue in Ohio City, formerly known as Ohio City BBQ. Get the ribs, chopped brisket or a Polish Boy; open seven days a week.

• ribs
• polish boy
• counter service
• catering

An east side classic for BBQ in Cleveland, on Kinsman Road in Mount Pleasant. The menu is short and it opens at 1 PM every day.

• east side
• classic
• takeout

Barbecue and Southern comfort food restaurant and bar on Lorain Avenue in West Park, with breakfast and brunch too.

• southern
• brunch
• bar
• catering

Smokehouse and bar on Clifton Boulevard at West 117th. Get ribs with half BBQ and half buffalo sauce, the mac and cheese, and something from the bourbon list.

• ribs
• mac and cheese
• bourbon
• bar

Smokehouse on Detroit Avenue in west Lakewood serving traditional barbecue, hearty sides and beer in a compact dining room. Texas style sausage is on the menu.

• brisket
• sausage
• texas style
• beer

Kosher Kansas City style barbecue on Chagrin Boulevard in Shaker Heights, near the Van Aken District. Prices run higher, and it is closed Friday and Saturday.

• kosher
• kansas city style
• closed fri and sat

Barbecue spot on Trails End in Aurora that started as a small farm shack. Open Wednesday through Sunday, with Sunday hours ending at 3 PM.

• aurora
• smokehouse
• wednesday to sunday

Texas style barbecue on Ridge Road near Denison Avenue on Cleveland's west side. Order the ribs, brisket or smoked sausage.

• texas style
• ribs
• brisket
• sausage

Takeout only barbecue on Tallmadge Road in Kent that grew out of a food truck and draws long lines. Worth the drive from Cleveland; open Thursday through Sunday until 6 PM.

• takeout only
• day trip
• thursday to sunday

Barbecue spot on West 6th Street in the Warehouse District, next to Rumors. Ribs with coleslaw and fries are the signature, and items can sell out.

• ribs
• warehouse district
• takeout

Newer business with few listings details; confirm hours before visiting.