5 Best Cleveland Barbecues Right Now
Plus, we share our favorite dish at each.
Why we love it: The Avon restaurant made famous on Shark Tank and owned by retired Cleveland Browns lineman Al “Bubba” Baker specializes in succulent boneless ribs. “We dry-rub, slow-smoke then take the bones out of a slab of baby back ribs,” says Baker. Try this: The D-Boned Baby Back Rib Steak (half $18.99, full $28.99), slow-smoked, boneless and smothered in sauce. 820 Center Road, Avon, 440-937-7859, bubbasqdining.com
Mabel’s BBQ
Why we love it: Michael Symon’s East Fourth Street hot spot puts a spin on smoked meat with a barbecue sauce made with Bertman Original Ball Park Mustard, maple syrup and apple cider vinegar. “It’s a really acidic, tart sauce that goes well with our brisket,” says head chef Joe Fish. Try this: The This Is Cleveland ($19) platter with smoked kielbasa, spare ribs and spicy pork cabbage. 2050 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-417-8823, mabelsbbq.com
Oak And Embers Tavern
Why we love it: Owners Marc and Gretchen Garofoli pay attention to the details when making all of their sauces, marinades and dressings in-house. “We’ve been constantly honing our barbecue from side-of-the-road shacks to meeting with chefs and trying our own variations,” says Marc. Try this: The Burnt Ends ($13), marbleized tips of smoked brisket tossed in house-made bourbon barbecue sauce. 8003 Mayfield Road, Chesterland, 440-729-7859; 7774 Darrow Road, Hudson, 234-602-1056, oakandembers.com
Proper Pig Smokehouse
Why we love it: This Lakewood smokehouse brings Texas-style barbecue to the table with meat so tender, you won’t need the sauce. “We only have one barbecue sauce at our restaurant because we really do feel like the meat should be the star of the show,” says co-owner Shane Vidovic. Try this: The Proper Slopper ($12), a Texas-sized sandwich piled high with brisket, pulled pork, Texas hot link sausage, maple bacon barbecue sauce and coleslaw. 17100 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 440-665-3768, properpigsmokehouse.com
Smokin' Q's BBQ And Beer House
Why we love it: This Tex-Mex barbecue joint serves up full platters, hefty sandwiches and 14 different tacos served on house-made tortillas. “I grew up in Texas, so this is the barbecue I grew up eating and loving,” says chef and partner Zachary Ladner. Try this: The Polish taco ($10) with smoked sausage, french fries, sweet barbecue sauce, coleslaw, guacamole and pico de gallo. 718 SOM Center Road, Mayfield Village, 440-646-0429, smokinqbbq.com
