Brisket to ribs, chicken to chops and beyond – what’s the very best BBQ in Utah? Here are some of my personal favorites that I’ve enjoyed in recent years. Do remember that your mileage may vary, based on a variety of factors. I wrote about this in the following article, where I grazed my way through Austin’s Q scene. Still, each of the following businesses provided me a BBQ-based meal I really enjoyed.
Kenny J’s BBQ – my top pick
Need to know: Texas-style Q that means business
Neighborhood: South Jordan
My current favorite BBQ in Utah packs a lot of promise. Pitmaster Kenny Jackson utilizes product from Utah’s UT47 beef (the same brand that Table X taps) while cooking low and slow on an M&M Rotisserie; serious Texan hardware that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The smoker’s figure cost suggests the business is more than just a whim. Jackson himself, meanwhile, routinely hits the road to secure post oak for the cooking process – the tried and tested hardwood relied on by many of the best in the Lonestar. For a full rundown on Kenny J’s check out this article I wrote on the new for 2025 BBQ shop.
11610 District Dr, South Jordan, UT 84095
(385) 563-3404
kennyjsbbq.com
Bam Bams BBQ – my UT county pick
Need to know: Central Texan BBQ with classic flair
Neighborhood: Orem
If you find yourself in Utah County and craving a BBQ bite, make a stop at this State Street local’s hangout. The interior is classic BBQ shop with picnic bench seating, loaded up with sauces, and meats served by the half pound. The menu features an extensive selection of familiar cuts, but be sure to try their chopped beef, tangles of shredded beef cooked in savory broth.
1708 S State St, Orem, UT 84058
(801) 225-1324
Richie Lush’s Tennessee BBQ – my pick for Park City
Need to know: Texan BBQ amidst the Wasatch back
Neighborhood: Park City
For my money the best barbecue in the state can be found in Kamas, courtesy of Richie Lush”s. The ribs are covered in thick bar, the pulled pork has a beautiful chew; but the star is the rich and tender brisket – the best I’ve tasted in years.
215 S Main St, Kamas, UT 84036
lushsbbq.com
Slope Side Smokeshack – my pick for best food truck
Need to know: Excellent food truck
Neighborhood: Varies
This food truck sprang to life in 2022 and has been producing great quality brisket and pulled pork ever since. The truck is the work of Brooks Sherman, chief postmaster and Southwest Virginian. You can find his roaming BBQ business on a variety of food truck checker apps, or their schedule on their own social media platform.
Other BBQ shops and stops around Utah
The following businesses also smoke up a storm around the Beehive. These don’t make my own best of list, but you might find something on the menu that piques your intrigue.
Hog & Tradition
Need to know: Food hall smoker with several tricks up their sleeves
Neighborhood: Downtown SLC
Located in the The Local food hall in downtown Salt Lake City, Geoff Patmides is the man behind teh smoker here; a name you might recall who once ran the popular Local Greek. Gone are the gyros and souvlaki, and in their place, a creative range of flavors. My pick is their Sunday special, which focuses exclusively on Dominican flavors, with several great BBQ bites.
10 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
instagram.com/hogtraditionbbq
Who did we miss?
If you think we’re missing a really great addition to this list, please email us at stuart@gastronomicslc.com – we’d love to hear from you. Let us know who you think should be on this list and why. If you have a really great picture of one of more dishes, please send that too! We’re always excited to check our more businesses!
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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