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A platter from Cochon King BBQ.
Cochon King BBQ

10 Essential Barbecue Joints in and Around New Orleans

Where to find the best ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and burnt ends for classic summertime dining

by Eater Staff and Clair Lorell Updated
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A platter from Cochon King BBQ.
| Cochon King BBQ
by Eater Staff and Clair Lorell Updated

The New Orleans barbecue scene is booming. It wasn’t so long ago that the closest thing to barbecue found in local restaurants was New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp; otherwise, your best bet was seeking out one of the excellent vendors at city second lines and parades. In the last decade or so, that has changed, thanks in part to the annual Hogs For the Cause fundraising event, a crowd favorite that provides hundreds of variations on smoked pork and has helped inspire local purveyors. These pitmasters have helped solidify barbecue’s place in New Orleans’s food culture, all offering smoky, piggy goodness.

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LA 23 BBQ

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This Belle Chasse barbecue stand, manned by New Orleanians Bobby Monsted III and Aaron Gelfand (who started as fishing guides and friends and backyard barbecuers), is modeled after a central Texas trading post and has been a favorite of locals and critics for years. This is the spot for Texas-style barbecue (try the Texas brisket, which is moist and flavorful).

9661 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LA
(504) 657-3693
(504) 657-3693
LA 23 BBQ

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Gonzo’s Smokehouse & BBQ

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Started as a New Orleans festival vendor and brewery pop-up favorite, Gonzo’s now serves its award-winning smoked brisket, the star of the show, as well as ribs, pork mac and cheese, Mexican corn, and other traditional barbecue sides out of a strip mall storefront in Luling, LA. This place is so highly rated by customers that it draws a huge number of Orleans Parish residents for weekly Thursday or Friday visits — the only two days of the week it’s open.

12325 River Rd, Luling, LA 70070
Gonzo’s Smokehouse & BBQ

Smoked

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This Harahan strip mall spot is a family favorite loved for brisket, pork, pulled chicken, burnt ends, ribs, and salmon, but the specials here are not to be missed — items like smoked brisket grilled cheese, barbecue nachos, smoked chicken salad, and perhaps best of all, the smoked meatloaf. Steve Mock is a Kansas City native, but he’s not a Kansas barbecue purist — there are Texas influences here, too, and sauces, all excellent, are served on the side. Customers love Mock’s smash burger as well.

6901 Jefferson Highway, Harahan, Louisiana 70123
(504) 577-0199
(504) 577-0199
Smoked

Cochon Butcher

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Although they do a lot more than just barbecue, swine is king at Cochon Butcher, where full-time butchers break down 2,000 pounds of meat each week. The kitchen uses only all-natural meats and whole hogs from local farms for smoked meats including a slew of sausages, sauced barbecue pork Carolina style on a bun with slaw, and a rotating smoked prime rib special served with Hasselback potatoes.

930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 588-7675
(504) 588-7675
Bill Addison/Eater

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Central City BBQ

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This Central City spot housed in a corrugated metal building opened in late 2016 with a trio of custom-built cookers for smoking meats and an eye for pushing boundaries. Burnt ends, which even come on a salad, are one specialty, Hogs for the Cause award-winning smoked wings are another. Also check out the spoon bread, meat pies, and Brussels sprouts.

1201 Rampart St., New Orleans, LA
(504) 558-4276
(504) 558-4276
Central City BBQ

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The Joint

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This Bywater landmark known for its pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and locally made chaurice sausage is one of the city’s oldest and best, a true classic. The dining room is open, a joyful thing indeed for the many fans who can’t wait to tuck into the brisket burnt ends and some of the juiciest ribs in town. Homemade pie by the slice? Yes please. Daily fruit daiquiri specials? Indeed. Excellent sides here as well.

701 Mazant St, New Orleans, LA, 70117
(504) 949-3232
(504) 949-3232
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

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Cochon King BBQ

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Chris “Shaggy” Davis focuses solely on barbecue at his newly expanded Franklin Avenue restaurant. Cochon King’s specialties include slow-smoked ribs, brisket, barbecue chickens, housemade smoked sausages, and whole hogs. Try one of the Pepper Jack mac bowls on the side. The Pit Boss is one popular sandwich, slow-smoked brisket with onions, pickles, and barbecue sauce. The Gentilly Reuben is another, house-smoked pastrami with Swiss, sauerkraut, and special sauce on marbled rye.

5321 Franklin Ave NOLA 70122
(504) 884-5153
(504) 884-5153
Cochon King BBQ

Frey Smoked Meat Co.

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Frey Smoked Meat Co. gets its name from the owner Ray Gruezke's great-great-grandpa, who was a sausage maker in the French Quarter in the 19th century. This Mid-City barbecue spot not only turns out incredible sausage, barbecue sandwiches, and platters (try the St. Louis ribs), but it's also home to some of the best biscuits and cornbread in town, and host to a wealth of snack options, from loaded brisket fries and four different kinds of mac and cheese to craft cocktails and gigantic milkshakes.

4141 Bienville St Ste 110, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 488-7427
(504) 488-7427
Look Inside Frey Smoked Meat Co., Brasted/Eater NOLA

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Blue Oak BBQ

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Blue Oak has one of New Orleans’s most fiercely loyal and widespread fanbases to be had. The sprawling Mid City space indoors and out is a fun, lively setting for quality smoked meat platters, sandwiches, sausages, amazing wings, and classic sides — not to mention their wildly popular fried chicken sandwich. Be sure to check out daily specials, as they’re menu highlights.

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 822-2583
(504) 822-2583
Blue Oak BBQ

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Walker's BBQ

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This New Orleans East barbecue outpost is well-known for providing its famous cochon de lait po’ boy at Jazz Fest, Satchmo Fest, and other high-profile local occasions (even its website URL puts the attention on the cochon de lait), but don't overlook its pork and other barbecue favorites. Pitmaster Jonathan Walker calls it, "New Orleans-style, baby.”

10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
(504) 241-8227
(504) 241-8227
Walker’s BBQ

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LA 23 BBQ

9661 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LA

This Belle Chasse barbecue stand, manned by New Orleanians Bobby Monsted III and Aaron Gelfand (who started as fishing guides and friends and backyard barbecuers), is modeled after a central Texas trading post and has been a favorite of locals and critics for years. This is the spot for Texas-style barbecue (try the Texas brisket, which is moist and flavorful).

9661 LA-23, Belle Chasse, LA
(504) 657-3693
(504) 657-3693
LA 23 BBQ

Gonzo’s Smokehouse & BBQ

12325 River Rd, Luling, LA 70070

Started as a New Orleans festival vendor and brewery pop-up favorite, Gonzo’s now serves its award-winning smoked brisket, the star of the show, as well as ribs, pork mac and cheese, Mexican corn, and other traditional barbecue sides out of a strip mall storefront in Luling, LA. This place is so highly rated by customers that it draws a huge number of Orleans Parish residents for weekly Thursday or Friday visits — the only two days of the week it’s open.

12325 River Rd, Luling, LA 70070
Gonzo’s Smokehouse & BBQ

Smoked

6901 Jefferson Highway, Harahan, Louisiana 70123

This Harahan strip mall spot is a family favorite loved for brisket, pork, pulled chicken, burnt ends, ribs, and salmon, but the specials here are not to be missed — items like smoked brisket grilled cheese, barbecue nachos, smoked chicken salad, and perhaps best of all, the smoked meatloaf. Steve Mock is a Kansas City native, but he’s not a Kansas barbecue purist — there are Texas influences here, too, and sauces, all excellent, are served on the side. Customers love Mock’s smash burger as well.

6901 Jefferson Highway, Harahan, Louisiana 70123
(504) 577-0199
(504) 577-0199
Smoked

Cochon Butcher

930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Although they do a lot more than just barbecue, swine is king at Cochon Butcher, where full-time butchers break down 2,000 pounds of meat each week. The kitchen uses only all-natural meats and whole hogs from local farms for smoked meats including a slew of sausages, sauced barbecue pork Carolina style on a bun with slaw, and a rotating smoked prime rib special served with Hasselback potatoes.

930 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 588-7675
(504) 588-7675
Bill Addison/Eater

Central City BBQ

1201 Rampart St., New Orleans, LA

This Central City spot housed in a corrugated metal building opened in late 2016 with a trio of custom-built cookers for smoking meats and an eye for pushing boundaries. Burnt ends, which even come on a salad, are one specialty, Hogs for the Cause award-winning smoked wings are another. Also check out the spoon bread, meat pies, and Brussels sprouts.

1201 Rampart St., New Orleans, LA
(504) 558-4276
(504) 558-4276
Central City BBQ

The Joint

701 Mazant St, New Orleans, LA, 70117

This Bywater landmark known for its pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and locally made chaurice sausage is one of the city’s oldest and best, a true classic. The dining room is open, a joyful thing indeed for the many fans who can’t wait to tuck into the brisket burnt ends and some of the juiciest ribs in town. Homemade pie by the slice? Yes please. Daily fruit daiquiri specials? Indeed. Excellent sides here as well.

701 Mazant St, New Orleans, LA, 70117
(504) 949-3232
(504) 949-3232
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Cochon King BBQ

5321 Franklin Ave NOLA 70122

Chris “Shaggy” Davis focuses solely on barbecue at his newly expanded Franklin Avenue restaurant. Cochon King’s specialties include slow-smoked ribs, brisket, barbecue chickens, housemade smoked sausages, and whole hogs. Try one of the Pepper Jack mac bowls on the side. The Pit Boss is one popular sandwich, slow-smoked brisket with onions, pickles, and barbecue sauce. The Gentilly Reuben is another, house-smoked pastrami with Swiss, sauerkraut, and special sauce on marbled rye.

5321 Franklin Ave NOLA 70122
(504) 884-5153
(504) 884-5153
Cochon King BBQ

Frey Smoked Meat Co.

4141 Bienville St Ste 110, New Orleans, LA 70119

Frey Smoked Meat Co. gets its name from the owner Ray Gruezke's great-great-grandpa, who was a sausage maker in the French Quarter in the 19th century. This Mid-City barbecue spot not only turns out incredible sausage, barbecue sandwiches, and platters (try the St. Louis ribs), but it's also home to some of the best biscuits and cornbread in town, and host to a wealth of snack options, from loaded brisket fries and four different kinds of mac and cheese to craft cocktails and gigantic milkshakes.

4141 Bienville St Ste 110, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 488-7427
(504) 488-7427
Look Inside Frey Smoked Meat Co., Brasted/Eater NOLA

Blue Oak BBQ

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Blue Oak has one of New Orleans’s most fiercely loyal and widespread fanbases to be had. The sprawling Mid City space indoors and out is a fun, lively setting for quality smoked meat platters, sandwiches, sausages, amazing wings, and classic sides — not to mention their wildly popular fried chicken sandwich. Be sure to check out daily specials, as they’re menu highlights.

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 822-2583
(504) 822-2583
Blue Oak BBQ

Walker's BBQ

10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

This New Orleans East barbecue outpost is well-known for providing its famous cochon de lait po’ boy at Jazz Fest, Satchmo Fest, and other high-profile local occasions (even its website URL puts the attention on the cochon de lait), but don't overlook its pork and other barbecue favorites. Pitmaster Jonathan Walker calls it, "New Orleans-style, baby.”

10828 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127
(504) 241-8227
(504) 241-8227
Walker’s BBQ

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