For many years SLC was practically a three horse town when it came to BBQ. Folks would sagely advise curious BBQ fans to try out Pats, Q4U and Sugarhouse BBQ. Over the last year or so, there has been a a surprising bloom of operators offering up smoked treats. Just some of the ‘recent’ operations include:
Fire House BBQ Grill – I first spied this new outfit when driving by on 21st South, the big red smoking rig out front catching my eye. Their menu features a few twists and turns you might not expect such as garlic rosemary brisket and basil mustard spare ribs.
Yo Mammas BBQ </strong >– Owned and operated by father and son team Rick and Justin Bylsma. In addition to the more common BBQ items, Yo Mammas serves up breakfast, burgers and sandwiches too.
Tommy’s BBQ and Grill – Smoked meat fans in Utah County need not feel left out in the cold. Tommy’s serves up all the usual suspects plus offers a set feast for 100 of your closest friends. For just under a thousand bucks you can chow down on – “20 lbs Pulled Pork, 26 Chicken Breasts, 10 Racks of Ribs, 4 Gallons of Smoked Baked Beans, 3 Gallons of sides, 100 buns & sauce“.
R and R BBQ – California natives Rod and Roger form the team behind the catering outfit R and R BBQ. They also happen to be Utah’s top rated BBQ competition team.
Terrapin Station Smokin Co. – Locally owned, and operated on Salt Lake’s East side, offering their own range of in house sauces.
No doubt I’ve missed a few off the list. Immediately springing to mind (albeit not recent openings) are names like Kaiser’s, Dickey’s, Goodwood and Sonny Bryan’s. The question I have for you, esteemed reader, what’s your pick of crop when it comes to smoked meats? Do any of these newcomers have what it takes, or are the stalwarts like Pat’s still the pick of the bunch.
Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.
I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.
Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.
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Firehouse is my favorite thus far but I still have yet to try R and R Barbecue… I hear they are awesome!!
R and R is mouthwatering good! Better than any others in the area.
R&R BBQ is outstanding. Rod & Rodger really know their way around a BBQ pit.
They need to open up a restaurant here in Utah ASAP!!!
My faves are Kaisers, Firehouse, and R&R.