We Ranked The 10 Best BBQ Restaurants In Lexington, Kentucky And Here’s Who Made The Cut
One Lexington barbecue joint has walls covered with thousands of names, drawings, and messages scribbled by guests. Another sits right on the banks of the Kentucky River and even has a menu just for dogs. I love that kind of personality in a smokehouse.
The smoke story gets wilder from there. One spot started as a humble food tent before earning its own brick-and-mortar home. Another smokes Kentucky-raised goat and sheep inside a renovated garage.
Kentucky barbecue doesn’t follow one simple rulebook. You’ll find Memphis, Texas, and Carolina sauces sharing tables with Hawaiian sweet soy and Alabama white sauce. Sides range from beer cheese grits to Spam musubi.
So I lined up ten places and ranked them, from scrappy counters to big family dining rooms. Some names will feel familiar, and a few might surprise you.
1. Blue Door Smokehouse
Two Lexington natives opened this spot in March 2013 with one modest goal. They wanted to serve the best barbecue in town.
Bold? Sure. The crowds apparently agreed, because the smokehouse moved into a bigger space in 2024.
The new home on National Avenue offers indoor and outdoor seating. You still order at the counter, which keeps the whole thing simple and quick.
Meats get smoked fresh daily, and the sides are made from scratch. Pulled pork, brisket, smoked sausage, and pulled chicken anchor the menu as sandwiches or plates.
Side choices lean classic and satisfying. Pick from vinegar slaw, creamy slaw, potato salad, greens, or beans.
Sweet tooth calling? Desserts come from Martine’s Bakery, including S’mores Bars, Nutella Bars, and Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookies.
Timing matters here more than you might expect. The doors close at 3 PM Monday through Thursday, and the place shuts down Sundays.
Friday and Saturday stretch until 8 PM, which gives dinner fans a fair shot. Reservations aren’t taken, so expect a possible wait during busy stretches.
Got a party coming up? Catering and gift certificates are available, and the spot is wheelchair accessible.
This is old-school, no-frills barbecue that lets the smoke do the talking. For a Kentucky lunch that skips the fuss, it earns the top slot.
Address: 819 National Ave Suite 140, Lexington, KY 40502
2. Red State BBQ
Bring a marker, because the walls here double as a giant guestbook. Thousands of names, drawings, and messages cover nearly every surface.
Founded in October 2010, Red State BBQ has served Lexington for over 15 years. Ownership changed in 2012, yet the original dry rub recipes stayed put.
Pork, brisket, and chicken get the slow-smoke treatment. Then you get to play sauce judge with Memphis, Texas, and Carolina styles.
Can’t decide? Nobody will blame you for trying a little of each.
The side list reads like a Southern potluck. Beer cheese grits, corn pudding, greens, mac and cheese, and green beans all show up.
Appetizers keep things playful too. Look for Frickles with Texas Ranch Dip, BBQ Nachos, Smoked Buffalo Wings, and BBQ Egg Rolls.
Save a little room for dessert. Banana pudding is on the menu, plus local ice cream from Sav’s Chill.
The restaurant carries the Kentucky Proud label and has earned awards over the years. Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs ready to go.
It sits on Georgetown Road, not far from the Kentucky Horse Park. That makes it a handy stop after a day of admiring horses.
Service moves fast, and the hours run seven days a week.
Address: 4020 Georgetown Rd, Lexington, KY 40511
3. LX BBQ
Mustard and vinegar walk into a sauce bottle together. The result is the house LX sauce, and it sets the tone for this Walton Avenue smokehouse.
Prefer something sweeter? A KY sweet sauce sits right beside it.
This locally owned craft barbecue spot brings a touch of Appalachian influence to its smoked meats. Brisket and pulled pork lead the show, with ribs and smoked turkey close behind.
The sides deserve their own spotlight. Smoked Gouda and Cheddar Mac sounds like a sentence worth finishing.
You’ll also find slow-braised collard greens, creamy Southern slaw, and potato salad. Pulled pork baked beans add extra meat to your side dish, which feels like a bonus round.
Gluten-free eaters get some love here. A gluten-free bun is available for sandwiches.
Hungry later in the evening? A Late Night Menu features LX Tacos, Triple P Tacos, and Loaded Nachos.
That menu also offers a Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich with honey glaze. It’s a smart pick when you want something sweet and smoky together.
Plan ahead on the calendar, though. LX BBQ serves barbecue throughout the week, but its published Tuesday and Wednesday hours vary, so visitors should confirm the schedule before heading over.
Curbside pickup, takeout, and catering make it easy to feed a crowd at home. Reservations are accepted too, which is handy for groups.
Address: 226 Walton Ave, Lexington, KY 40502
4. J. Render’s Southern Table & Bar
Memphis, Carolina, and Texas all got invited to the same dinner party. J. Render’s blends those three styles into what it calls Southern Style BBQ.
The menu plays like a greatest hits album. Slow-smoked brisket, competition-style ribs, burnt ends, and pulled pork are all on deck.
Local pride shows up in the sausage. Purnell’s KY Proud Smoked Sausage earns a spot on the lineup.
Not feeling ribs today? Grilled shrimp, quarter chicken, and a French Dip offer some range.
Starters lean hearty. Smoked wings come with several sauce options, and BBQ Quesadillas bring a fun twist.
Sides read like Sunday supper. Collard greens, smoked mac and cheese, and cowboy baked beans share the table with fried green tomatoes.
Banana pudding closes things out on a classic Southern note. It’s hard to argue with that ending.
Unlike several spots on this list, this is a sit-down restaurant with table service. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Friday nights.
The patio often features live music, adding some extra rhythm to your meal. Weekend brunch hours start at 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday.
Planning a bigger gathering? A private event space called The Speakeasy is available, along with catering and curbside pickup.
Address: 3191 Beaumont Centre Cir, Lexington, KY 40513
5. Proud Mary BBQ
Your dog may get a better menu here than at most restaurants. Proud Mary BBQ offers a dedicated dog menu for pups joining you at outdoor tables.
The setting steals the show, too. This women-owned spot sits directly on the banks of the Kentucky River.
It opened in spring 2015 with a Bayou-style personality. That Louisiana spirit shows up on the plate in fun ways.
Fried catfish and frog legs share menu space with ribs, pulled pork, and brisket. Catfish po-boys and crawfish boils lean even further south.
Brisket Grilled Cheese might be the comfort food crossover you didn’t know you needed. Mother Fries also earns a place on the menu highlights.
Here’s a local twist worth trying. Fried banana peppers are called a Kentucky River tradition.
House-made Kentucky beer cheese comes with crackers and vegetables for dipping. Sides include jambalaya, mac n cheese, slaw, and baked beans.
A spacious patio, live music, and special events keep the river crowd entertained. There’s even a fireplace for cooler visits.
Watch the schedule before driving out. It’s closed Monday and Tuesday, and weekday hours start at 3 PM.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and high chairs. Reservations are accepted for your river-day crew.
Address: 9079 Old Richmond Rd, Lexington, KY 40515
6. County Club Restaurant
Goat and sheep on a Lexington barbecue menu? County Club smokes Kentucky-raised cow, hog, sheep, goat, and chicken, all responsibly raised.
The building has a backstory of its own. This rustic-chic restaurant lives inside a stylishly renovated garage.
The mission goes beyond classic pulled pork. The kitchen explores the American smoking tradition with hardwoods and low temperatures.
Then it mixes in flavors from around the world. Smoked wings come with Spicy Teriyaki, Sichuan Dry Rub, or Oaxacan Dry Rub.
That’s a passport’s worth of wing options. Few places in Kentucky give you that kind of choice.
Sandwich fans have plenty to explore. Pick the Smoked Brisket Sandwich, a Smoked Pork Cuban, or a Brisket French Dip Pita.
Poutine gets a smoky upgrade with smoked cheese curds, gravy, and scallions. Pork Belly Sticks also make the menu highlights.
The kitchen even turns out pickles, vinegars, pastries, and jerky. Want to stock up? Smoked pork and brisket are available by the pound.
Vegetarians aren’t left out here. A full vegetarian menu sits alongside the smoked meats.
This is a dinner-only spot. Dinner service runs Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 PM, with an additional Sunday lunch service from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Address: 555 Jefferson St, Lexington, KY 40508
7. Sonny’s BBQ
Oak smoke is the calling card at this long-standing barbecue chain. Sonny’s specializes in meats smoked over oak, plus a lineup of sides and salads.
Big name, sure. But the Buena Vista Road location makes a strong case for itself.
Indecisive eaters, this one’s for you. Sonny’s Sampler lets you try several meats without committing to just one.
Sliced pork and the Beef Brisket Sandwich are solid picks too. Loaded Tots bring some fun to the side lineup.
Then there are the Corn Nuggets. They’re crunchy, golden bites that make a great sidekick to smoked meat.
Finish with Homestyle Banana Pudding and a glass of sweet tea. That’s a pretty classic Southern combination.
The hours are some of the most generous on this list. It opens at 10:30 AM daily and stays open until 10 PM on weekends.
Short on time? A drive-through makes grabbing barbecue almost too easy.
Families get plenty of help here. You’ll find a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables.
Both counter service and table service are offered. Curbside pickup, delivery, and catering round out the options.
Address: 2341 Buena Vista Rd, Lexington, KY 40505
8. Big Kahuna Hawaiian BBQ
Aloha, Lexington. Big Kahuna swaps hickory traditions for a sweeter, Hawaiian-inspired take on barbecue.
The star here is Kalua Pork. It’s slow-roasted pulled pork with Hawaiian BBQ sauce, served on a plate or as a sandwich.
Plates come with macaroni salad and sticky rice. Then they get dressed with house chili sauce, spicy mayo, and sweet soy.
Feeling adventurous? Try Loco Moco, with beef patties over sticky rice, brown gravy, and eggs.
Spam fans will feel right at home. Spam Musubi wraps Spam and sweet soy on sticky rice in seaweed.
There’s also a Spam and Egg Sandwich for a breakfast-style bite anytime. Katsu, Teriyaki Chicken, Coconut Shrimp, and Mahi-Mahi add even more choices.
Burger lovers should look at the Big Kahuna Burger. Charred pineapple on top gives it a sweet, smoky finish.
Hawaiian Style Fries and Avocado Fries make fun sides to share. Grilled Tofu gives non-meat eaters a solid option.
Counter service keeps things quick and casual. Dogs are welcome inside and out, and a kids’ menu is ready for little ones.
It’s open Tuesday through Sunday, with Mondays off.
Address: 904 Liberty Rd, Lexington, KY 40505
9. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Free ice cream after barbecue sounds like a dream. At this Winchester Road spot, a free ice cream machine makes it a reality.
Dickey’s is a national chain built around house-smoked meats. This Lexington location delivers the classics without any fuss.
Brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and sausage fill out the meat counter. The ribs, in particular, are a strong reason to stop in.
Hot BBQ sauces give spice fans something to play with. Mild eaters can keep things gentle.
Stuffed baked potatoes are a menu standout here. A loaded spud piled with smoked meat makes a meal on its own.
Classic sides round out your tray. Think of it as a build-your-own barbecue plate.
Ordering happens at the counter, so service moves quickly. That makes it a smart choice for a busy weekday lunch.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs. Curbside pickup, takeout, and delivery give you flexible options.
Need to feed a crowd? Catering is available for parties and office gatherings.
Keep an eye on the clock, though. Hours run from 10:30 AM to 7:15 PM Monday through Friday and 11 AM to 7:15 PM Saturday, with Sundays off.
Address: 1315 Winchester Rd Ste 325, Lexington, KY 40505
10. City Barbeque
Baked beans with brisket mixed right in? City Barbeque takes a humble side and gives it a meaty upgrade.
This counter-serve smokehouse chain keeps its Richmond Road location rooted in down-home style. The decor adds some fun to the casual setting.
The meat lineup covers the big four. Pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken all come with a variety of sauces.
Craving ribs? A Half Slab of Ribs is a filling pick for serious appetites.
Pitmaster Nachos make a great snack for sharing with friends. Corn pudding brings a sweet, creamy contrast to smoky meats.
Other sides include collard greens and potato salad. Banana pudding waits at the finish line.
Kids get their own option with Lolo’s Pulled Pork. Changing tables and high chairs make family trips easier.
Hosting a cookout without the cooking? Brisket sandwich packs and a dozen buns help feed a hungry group.
Tea fans should take note. The tea selection here gets extra praise.
The hours are friendly, too, with doors opening at 10:30 AM daily. It’s a reliable way to close out this Kentucky barbecue tour.
Address: 3292 Richmond Rd, Lexington, KY 40509