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Satisfy Your BBQ Cravings: Top Spots in Louisiana

la bbq joints

Everyone loves the taste of barbecue, whether you enjoy a thick, bold flavor, mesquite, slightly tangy, or sweet sauce on your favorite beef, pork, chicken, or fish. Louisiana has some of the best in the country, and below are the best barbecue joints in the state where you can satisfy your taste for some finger-licking, mouth-watering deliciousness.


The Joint, New Orleans, LA

If the thought of juicy slow-cooked pulled pork and beef brisket, chicken, sausage, and ribs make your mouth water, then you should visit the Joint in New Orleans to get your hunger satisfied. With great sides that compliment these great smoked barbecue choices like mac & cheese, cole slaw, and baked beans, you won’t go home hungry from this national award-winning eatery that opened in 2004. 

Grayson’s Bar-B-Q, Clarence, LA

If you want authentic Southern barbecue, you have to try Grayson’s in Clarence. A social media favorite, when people try this little eatery, they leave talking about it. And it’s no wonder because they take their time making their meats flavorful by letting them cook slowly to lock in the flavor. A third-generation family-owned business established in 1959, you won’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse, Houma, LA

The day starts early at Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse in Homan. Briskets get started at 4 a.m. every day and are allowed to cook slowly for 16-20 hours to seal in the delicious smoked flavor. Chicken and ribs are started a little later, but have the same great taste. This award-winning family-owned business is a dream come true for owners Mike and Judith, who opened the eatery in true traditional barbecue style. Dine in, take home, or have them cater your next party.

Hickory Stick, Shreveport, LA

Simple and delicious food is what you can expect at Hickory Stick in Shreveport. Offering single plates, po’boys, smoked meats, soups, salads, and family packs, there are daily specials like chicken & dumplings and red beans & rice that are hearty and filling.

The York Chop, Coushatta, LA

This is truly a little hidden gem of a barbecue place. The York Chop in Coushatta, serves up some mighty fine barbecue. Besides sandwiches, burgers, seafood, and bulk meats, they serve Southern hospitality with a smile in an environment that feels like home. Open daily, you’ll love the York Chop.

Cou-Yon’s Bar-B-Q, Port Allen, LA

What do you get when you combine Texas barbecue and Cajun flavor? You get Cou-yon’s Bar-B-Q. Located in Port Allen, Cou-Yon’s has the best ribs, seafood around, not to mention the chopped beef, pulled port, sausage, turkey, and fish. Winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, this barbecue joint might just be the best in country! This is simple, serious food where people come together for fun and conversation and leave satisfied. Open every day.

Key Insights at a Glance

  • Everyone loves the taste of barbecue, whether you enjoy a thick, bold flavor, mesquite, slightly tangy, or sweet sauce on your favorite beef, pork, chicken, or fish.
  • Louisiana has some of the best barbecue joints in the country.
  • The best barbecue joints in Louisiana include The Joint in New Orleans, Grayson’s Bar-B-Q in Clarence, Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse in Houma, Hickory Stick in Shreveport, The York Chop in Coushatta, and Cou-Yon’s Bar-B-Q in Port Allen.
  • The Joint in New Orleans offers juicy slow-cooked pulled pork and beef brisket, chicken, sausage, and ribs with great sides like mac & cheese, cole slaw, and baked beans.
  • Grayson’s Bar-B-Q in Clarence is a third-generation family-owned business established in 1959 that offers authentic Southern barbecue.
  • Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse in Houma starts their briskets at 4 a.m. every day and allows them to cook slowly for 16-20 hours to seal in the delicious smoked flavor.
  • Hickory Stick in Shreveport offers simple and delicious food like single plates, po’boys, smoked meats, soups, salads, and family packs with daily specials like chicken & dumplings and red beans & rice.
  • The York Chop in Coushatta serves up some mighty fine barbecue in a welcoming environment that feels like home.
  • Cou-Yon’s Bar-B-Q in Port Allen combines Texas barbecue and Cajun flavor to offer the best ribs, seafood, chopped beef, pulled pork, sausage, turkey, and fish.
  • Cou-Yon’s Bar-B-Q is a winner of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence and is known for its simple, serious food where people come together for fun and conversation.

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