Taste the Best: Maryland's Finest BBQ Restaurants

Annapolis Smokehouse and Tavern, Annapolis, MD

This once local hangout has been gaining in popularity as more people take the short trip down Forest drive to the Annapolis Smokehouse and Tavern for some of the best barbecue in the area. Not only do they have amazing brisket and pull pork that will have your mouth watering for more, plus some of the best brews on tap, but they also have award winning chicken wings that you simply have to taste.

Mackie’s Southern Barbecue, Gaithersburg, MD

Mackeis Southern Barbecue, a place where you can get fantastic barbecue made from the finest local ingredients. This is a restaurant that has become a local fan favorite in Gaithersburg, based on the sheer quality of food you can get here. When you factor in the amazing service and friendly staff, and a modern interpretation of classic American barbecue, you have a restaurant that you cannot pass up. If you really have a craving for meat, try their meat by the pound option to buy some smoked classics.

Wagon Wheel Restaurant, Churchton, MD

For the residents of South County there is a place they go whenever they have to eat some local, fresh, and amazing barbecue. That place is the Wagon Wheel Restaurant, a family friendly joint in Churchton. Bring the whole family down to try some local favorites like smoked chicken wings, pulled pork sandwiches, or a burger known as “not your Mama’s burger.” Or stick with a classic like brisket.

Chaps Pit Beef, Baltimore, MD

Baltimore has a legendary pit beef stop that was started in 1987 by Gus Glava. The food here is sourced locally and is the freshest, highest quality of meat that has put this joint on the map. It has one of Guy Fieri’s favorite sandwiches, as featured on “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” Chaps was named one of Food Networks “Top Favorite Places to Eat,” and the awards have just kept coming. For someone who wants barbecue that will make you never want to leave, and then come back as soon as you can, go to Chaps Pit Beef and find out what it takes to be an award-winning smokehouse.

Texas Ribs & BBQ, Clinton, MD

When you think of Texas, the first thing you think of Texas barbecue in a relaxed setting that harkens back to a slower time. If you are in the mood for cowboy boots, country music, and mouthwatering barbecue then head down to Texas Ribs and BBQ. A cowboy themed restaurant, this place also has some of the best baby backs, steaks, and seafood to offer. Come for the ambiance, stay for amazing food.

Hot Off the Coals, Easton, MD

On the Eastern Shore and craving some hot, smoky meat? Come on down to Hot Off the Coals, one of the Eastern Shore’s best barbecue joints. Run by Chef Ric Brice, who has spent the last 40 years tweaking and perfecting his recipes, the love and dedication that goes into his smoking is epic, and it shows. With handpicked angus beef, certified pork and chicken, and baked beans to die for, this is one place you never want to drive past. If the family is coming, there are even options to get slow cooked sandwiches, subs, and salads.

Key Insights at a Glance

• Annapolis Smokehouse and Tavern in Annapolis, MD offers amazing brisket, pulled pork, award-winning chicken wings, and great brews
• Mackie's Southern Barbecue in Gaithersburg, MD is known for fantastic barbecue made from local ingredients and modern interpretations of classic American barbecue
• Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Churchton, MD is a family-friendly joint known for local favorites like smoked chicken wings, pulled pork sandwiches, and brisket
• Chaps Pit Beef in Baltimore, MD is a legendary pit beef stop with locally sourced, high-quality meat and award-winning sandwiches
• Texas Ribs & BBQ in Clinton, MD offers cowboy-themed ambiance and mouthwatering barbecue, baby backs, steaks, and seafood
• Hot Off the Coals in Easton, MD, run by Chef Ric Brice, offers handpicked angus beef, certified pork and chicken, and delicious baked beans, as well as slow-cooked sandwiches, subs, and salads.