Wood Shop BBQ
Over on South Jackson Street in the Central District, Wood Shop grew out of a craving for true Kansas-style barbecue, and hickory smoke does the heavy lifting here. Beef short ribs, pulled pork, chicken thighs and St. Louis-cut spare ribs spend as long as 10 hours in the smoker. Order your meat by the pound, tucked into a sandwich or piled on a mac and cheese bowl. When the weather cooperates, grab a seat at the patio picnic tables.
Bitterroot BBQ
Step into a rustic, softly lit storefront on Ballard Avenue, where the sliced beef brisket earns the most praise. Build your own mac and cheese with mix-ins, and consider hot links, a popular choice. Hungry groups tend to go all in on the Cowboy Killer, a tray loaded with a half chicken, a half rack of ribs, pulled pork, brisket, pretzel rolls and four sides.
Lady Jaye
Find Lady Jaye on California Avenue in West Seattle, a smokehouse with a welcoming patio and a famous smoked bologna sandwich. Thin slices of smoked meat are stacked on a soft white bun and topped with dill pickle slaw. For a Korean accent, try the smoked bulgogi short rib sandwich with pickled radish and spicy mayo, while vegetarians can dig into smoked tofu chili. The sides stay traditional, from black-eyed peas and coleslaw to crisp, skinny fries with dill vinegar.
Emma's BBQ
Slip into Emma's, a narrow and very casual spot on Rainier Avenue South in Hillman City, named after owner Tess Thomas' mother. Family recipes guide the kitchen, and pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken are sold by the pound. Fill out your plate with classic Southern soul food sides: collard greens, cornbread, yams, baked beans and potato salad. Be sure to leave room for sweet potato pie or peach cobbler.
Etta's Big Mountain BBQ
Just a short walk from Pike Place Market on Western Avenue, Etta's makes an easy stop while you explore. The menu wanders beyond the usual, with smoked turkey legs in sweet onion gravy, pit-smoked salmon topped with fennel relish, and barbecue butter shrimp with garlic bread. Share a soft pretzel with pimento cheese or peanut butter bacon spread, then finish with a slice of triple coconut cream pie.
Pick the Right Smokehouse for Your Plans
- Big group or big appetite: Order Bitterroot's Cowboy Killer tray and cover most of the menu in one go.
- A night with music: Catch live music at Jack's, and let its weekly beef rib and prime rib specials help you choose the day.
- Sightseeing downtown: Pair a morning at Pike Place Market with lunch at Etta's.
- Vegetarians in the group: Lady Jaye serves smoked tofu chili alongside its meat sandwiches.
- Home-style cooking: Settle in for a low-key meal of family recipes and soul food sides at Emma's.
- Outdoor seating: Wood Shop and Lady Jaye both have patios for warmer days.
Plan a Day Around Barbecue
With these smokehouses scattered from Ballard to West Seattle, a barbecue stop makes a great anchor for exploring a part of town you have not seen yet. Browse our guide to Seattle neighborhoods to fill in the rest of your afternoon. An order by the pound also travels well, so pack it up for a picnic in one of the city's Seattle parks.
If you are staying near the waterfront, combine a meal at Etta's with nearby Seattle landmarks. For more ideas beyond the plate, see our list of things to do in Seattle.
Menus, specials and hours change, so check each business's own website or page for current details before you go.
