Great BBQ food

We’re always on the hunt for the best of Virginia – everything from hikes and drives to wines and eats. The list that follows includes 18 great BBQ joints for those who travel with their taste buds.

Note that these are not ranked, but they are recommended by locals and we invite you to leave a comment below to give a shout-out to your favorite.

1. In Virginia’s motorsports hotbed sits the family owned and operated . You might have seen this Martinsville gem on Food Network, the

Saucy’s Walk-Up BBQ

2. is a deceptive delight. A converted shipping container sits on the corner of 5th and Bollingbrook Streets in Petersburg. It’s there that you’ll literally walk up and order some of the most delicious homemade barbecue pork, chicken and ribs in Virginia. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? found it to be noteworthy, so …

3. Hailed as the best pulled pork, chicken, ribs and brisket in the New River Valley, in Christiansburg is indeed an award-winning establishment with quite a few first place claims to fame. Don’t miss out on their Tuesday night all-you-can-eat deal or their Wednesday night “kids eat free” opportunity.

4. The Northern Virginia and Washington, DC crowds LOVE with their Alexandria and Arlington locations. Rocklands uses red oak and hickory to smoke their meats – a little cooking strategy that has garnered them “Best of DC” acknowledgements five years in a row.

5. If St. Louis style ribs and Memphis style BBQ are your weakness, in Galax is the place to be. In fact, everyone wants to be there. It didn’t take long after its 2003 opening for this BBQ joint to become a magnet for locals and tourists alike. When you’re good, you’re good.

BBQ Exchange

6. Old-school, slow-cooked, open-flame barbecue-you’re-going-to-LOVE comes from in Gordonsville. The Hartman’s have spent more than 30 years perfecting their hickory-smoked pork and chicken. You’re in for an amazing treat when you look up this whitewashed gem in Orange County.

7. – An authentic 1950’s drive-in and Hampton Landmark.

8. – Named one of the Top 100 Restaurants by Washingtonian Magazine. Woodbridge and Fredericksburg.

Log Cabin Barbecue

9. – Enjoy your down-home barbecue in a 200 year old log cabin in Elkton.

Buzz and Ned’s Real Barbecue

10. – Man v. Food and Throwdown with Bobby Flay have embraced Buz and Ned’s in Richmond.

11. – Have a little Corcoran craft brew or wine with your southern-style barbecue in Purcellville.

12. – “So good it won barbecue competitions across the country.” We’ll take that as good. Find it in Midlothian.

13. – Pierce’s hickory-smoked, Tennessee-style Bar-B-Que made with “Doc” Pierce’s Original Bar-B-Que Sauce brings you the flavor and taste that’s a true American original. Located in Williamsburg.

14. – “Ribs must be served fresh from the smoker, ” is the philosophy of this Vinton joint, so come get a fresh, hot rack Fridays after 5.

15. – Serving BBQ since 1954 in Fredericksburg. Vicki says “I have never found any better than Mama’s pulled barbeque – as well as her slaw – yum! and the sauce – oh my!”

16. – Alamo in Richmond specializes in authentic Texas style BBQ, including an award winning beef brisket. Southwest influenced. Try the jalapeno mac-n-cheese!

17. – Great barbecue spot in Richmond with an on site brewery!

18. – Farmville’s fusion of great seafood and great barbecue is wrapped into one. Eat like a pig and drink like a fish!