Are you the sort of person who invariably asks for a Smokehouse Brisket when you’re in Arby’s. It’s a great choice, as you’re getting terrific sliced smoked brisket that’s been smoked for at least 13 hours. It comes with some melted gouda cheese, crispy onions, a bit of the smoky BBQ sauce, and some mayo on a toasted specialty roll. Considering Arby’s menu prices, you’re getting a good deal.
But if you’re living in Portland, Oregon, you may want to focus more on the city’s absolutely great BBQ eateries. There are plenty here you can try out, so you can get more than just slabs of smoky brisket. You can also enjoy racks of ribs so tender that they seem to fall off the bone, truly juicy sausages, and pulled pork tossed in various sauces.
BBQ restaurants in Portland are so good that they’re widely considered as among the best outside of Texas. If you’re not convinced and you’re in the city, then you can find this out for yourself by visiting the following BBQ havens:
Podnah’s Pit BBQ, 1625 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211
Rodney Muirhead opened Podnah’s back in 2006, and it sure spread the word about the excellence of the Portland BBQ scene all over the country. Many years later, it’s still a favorite haunt for smoked meats.
If it’s your first time here, you really should try the Pitboss Platter first. This is a monstrous plate that features lots of the meats available here. You get Texas-style brisket, along with ribs, Carolina-style pulled pork, and a sausage link. It’s served with a pair of sides and some cornbread, and it’s just a terrific introduction to Podnah’s.
Verajames Kitchen, 5240 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR 97218
This Verajames truck used to be in East Portland before it relocated, and now it’s near the Stoopidburger in NE 42nd. You should find it easily enough, since the truck has this attention-getting bright green color.
What really gets your attention here is the food. The super-juicy barbecue chicken and the tender ribs are great, and they’re speckled with char. Try them with the fried catfish and the collard greens. You may have to take the food home or eat on the go, as the outdoor seating is quite limited.
Wonderboy’s Smokestack, 1331 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217
It’s true that the area between North Interstate and Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is already filled with lots of BBQ options, but you won’t mind having one more. That’s especially true if that addition is Wonderboy’s Smokestack, where the food is just great.
Here, they use this traditional format of offering their smoked meats with sides. These sides include loaded BBQ nachos and tacos, though you should try the “mac and meat” option. You’ll get queso, green onions, and pickled peppers, with your choice of smoked meat.
The sauces here are also all housemade, and there are some rather unique options. Try the tangy raspberry and mango pineapple sauces, and you’re in for a treat.
Matt’s BBQ, 4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
Pit boss Matt Vicedomini truly revolutionized the Portland BBQ scene when he launched this place back in 2015. They serve smoking Texas-style brisket here, and they’re always nicely pink-ringed, wonderfully marbled with fat, and so tender the meat almost falls apart.
All the Texas-style meats here are available for full-pound or half-pound portions, and these include the turkey, brisket, jalapeño sausage, and pork belly. You can also get some beef ribs, but you have to reserve that in advance.
Try out the various signature sauces, and you really will feel special. The standouts among the sauces include the spicy-sweet cherry chipotle and the tangy peach mustard.
Kee’s #Loaded Kitchen, 5020 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97212
Sure, this food cart doesn’t just serve BBQ. In some days, they offer other types of food. But they frequently serve pulled pork and smoked briskets, and those dishes are just awesome. The place offers terrific expert smoking with just fantastic sauces. What’s more, these dishes come with ridiculously huge portions, so come here with an appetite.
This is a popular place, though, so you may want to come early (especially when the weather is nice). Come here late, and the smoked meats might already be sold out.
Homegrown Smoker, 8638 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203
Who says vegetarians and vegans can’t enjoy some BBQ ambiance? This place made vegan BBQ popular in the city, and the actual location is bright and cheerful. Get a taste of what they’re offering here, and you’ll smile all through the experience.
It’s always a good idea to start with the vegan barbecue, though you should also try the smoked tempeh ribs with hush puppies and barbecue beans. You might also consider sandwiches or burritos with “macnocheese” and smoked soy curls.
