As part of The Oregonian’s Readers Choice Awards, we opened submissions for the finest barbecue restaurant in the Portland region last week, and hundreds of you shared your favorite place with us. The finalists are now the top ten spots with the most nominations.
Use the link at the bottom of this story to cast your vote. Voting is open once day until 11:59 p.m. August 1, 2025, Tuesday. Later that week, we will make the results public. Visitors’ Choice (atoregonlive.com).
Bark City BBQ
Bark City BBQ, one of Portland’s greatest new food carts of 2018, appeared to be doomed when Michael Keskin relocated to Flagstaff, Arizona, in 2022. In 2024, however, Keskin made a comeback to the Rose City. At the time, he said on social media, “I’ve had the good fortune to go on a couple BBQ tours that have influenced a new evolution of our menu.” Bark City’s well-known ribs, brisket, smoked sausages, pulled pork, and banana pudding are still provided with the more recent products.
4727 S.E. Woodstock Blvd., The Heist Bar & Food Carts, 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. or sold out on Wednesdays. Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. or sold out; barkcitybbq.com
Botto s BBQ
When it began as a food cart serving the dry-rubbed brisket and ribs that owner Darren Bottinelli originally fell in love with while attending college in Austin, this was one of the hidden barbecue treasures that helped turn Portland into one of the greatest locations to discover Texas-style barbecue outside of Texas.
Milwaukie Avenue, 3120 S.E., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. 12–8 p.m., Wednesday–Friday. 12–6 p.m. on Saturday. BottosBbq.com on Sunday
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Briel s Barbecue
Although it seems to be situated in Salem, this pop-up craft BBQ restaurant frequently visits the Portland region. It will take place at Ruse Brewing in Southeast Portland on June 30, the One Horse Taphouse in Hillsboro on June 29, and Function Taproom in Portland on June 28. According to their website, the emphasis is on central Texas methods that incorporate the rich customs of the South, using wood feed offset smokers and 18-hour cooking.
@briels_bbq on Instagram and brielsbarbecue.com
Har-BQ
The meat cuts they select and the tart sides make this pop-up turned food cart at Von Ebert’s new North Portland brewery stand out. Where else in town can you find a platter that includes sliced chicken breast sprinkled with smoky sambal, smoked tri-tip sitting on a bed of nutty orange romesco, and savory pulled pork shoulder in a pool of chimichurri or beef cheeks beneath a distinct salsa verde?
Von Ebert Brewing, located at 825 N. Cook St., is open Friday at noon for sandwiches and Saturday and Sunday for smoked meat trays.har-bq.com
Lawless Barbecue
Brisket and burned ends that melt in your mouth are served at this Kansas City-style barbecue restaurant. The sides are equally nice. The potato salad is a true gem, and the homemade sweet baked beans are swimming with pulled pork.
LawlessQ.com; 1520 S.E. 7th Ave.; everyday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
The house-made jalapeño cheddar sausage is one of the offerings of Matt’s BBQ.LC: The Oregonian
Matt s BBQ
Matt’s BBQ, the 2016 Oregonian Food Cart of the Year, continues to smoke pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and jalapeño-cheddar sausages that burst open to reveal melting cheese. Additionally, Matt’s BBQ Tacos, our 2019 Cart of the Year, is a spin-off that was sparked by it.
Every day from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. or until sold out, 4233 N. Mississippi Ave.; mattsbbqpdx.com
Podnah s Pit BBQ
Podnah’s was without a doubt at the top of our 2013 ranking of the greatest BBQ pits. Over ten years later, it continues to provide fatty, salt-crusted brisket, pulled pork that is sweet, smoky, and drenched in vinegar, flawless pig ribs, and sausage that, when you tear it open, squirts hot, oily fluid all over the plate.
Every day from 12 to 8 p.m., 1625 N.E. Killingsworth St.; podnahspit.com
Reverend s BBQ
When we ranked Portland’s greatest barbecue in 2017, this Sellwood-Moreland BBQ spin-off from the founders of Laurelhurst Market restaurant came in at number six. Part of the inspiration for the smoked beef came from Kansas City’s Oklahoma Joe’s. We adore the sides, and the St. Louis-cut ribs are delicate and smokey.
Reverends Barbecue, 7712 S.E. 13th Ave., 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., everyday
Storrs Smokehouse
This Newberg barbecue restaurant serves Texas-style brisket with a bright pink smoke ring and thick mahogany peel. In keeping with the wine country setting, a house sauce created with pinot noir is available for you to slather on.
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sold out Wednesday through Sunday at 310 E. 1st St., Newberg;storrssmokehouse.com
Wonderboy s Smokestack
Since its opening in 2022, we have been lovers of this food cart, which bills itself as Iowa barbecue. Our favorites are the pulled pork, chips, and queso. This week, smoked chimichurri chicken nachos are available for $10 as part of the Portland Mercury’s Nacho Week.
1027 N.E. Alberta St.; Wednesday–Monday, 12–8 p.m. unless sold out; wonderboyssmokestack.com
Vote here
Voting is open once day until 11:59 p.m. August 1, 2025, Tuesday.
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Vote for the best barbecue joint in the Portland area: Readers Choice Awards
Vote for the best barbecue joint in the Portland area: Readers Choice Awards
Vote for the best barbecue joint in the Portland area: Readers Choice Awards