Little Rock, Arkansas, is such a cool place for BBQ lovers like me! There’s just something about the smoky flavors and tender meats that makes my taste buds dance. I’ve explored so many spots here, and I can’t wait to share my favorites with you. Trust me, you’re in for a treat as we dive into the best BBQ joints in town!
So, what’s the best BBQ in Little Rock, AR? Well, the best BBQ in Little Rock is a mix of amazing restaurants that serve up mouthwatering smoked meats and delicious sauces. Places like Down Home Blues BBQ and Whole Hog Cafe really shine with their tasty dishes and cozy vibes. If you’re a BBQ fan, you definitely want to check these spots out!
Get ready to join me on a tasty adventure through Little Rock’s BBQ scene! I’ll share all the juicy details about each restaurant, what makes them special, and why you should visit them. Let’s dig in!
Top 10 BBQ in Little Rock, AR
- Down Home Blues BBQ
- Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
- Sims Bar-B-Que
- Whole Hog Cafe
- H.B.’S BAR-B-Q
- Wright’s Barbecue – Little Rock
- Platnum BBQ at the Riverfront
- Sims Barbecue, Mr. Ronnie!
- Sim’s Bar-B-Que
- Husky Lew’s BBQ
1. Down Home Blues BBQ
Directions: Open on Map
Oh my gosh, Down Home Blues BBQ is one of my favorite spots in Little Rock! When I walked in, I just felt this cozy vibe that made me smile. You can sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to enjoy the sunshine. Either way, it’s super chill and welcoming!
What really makes Down Home Blues special is their amazing smoked meats. I tried the pulled pork, and wow, it was so tender and juicy! It just melted in my mouth. And the BBQ sauce? So tasty! It had this perfect mix of sweet and tangy that made every bite even better.
If you go, you absolutely have to get the ribs! They’re so soft that they just fall off the bone. Pair them with their yummy coleslaw, and you’ve got a meal that feels like a big warm hug from the South!
2. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ
Phone: (501) 954-7427
Menu: corkysarkansas.com
Directions: Open on Map
Corky’s Ribs & BBQ is one of my go-to places in Little Rock! When I stepped inside, I just loved the vintage vibe—it felt so cozy and friendly. You can choose to sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to soak up the sun. And guess what? They even deliver, which is super handy!
What really makes Corky’s special are their hickory-smoked ribs. I ordered a full rack, and oh wow, they were so tasty! The meat was super tender and had that yummy smoky flavor. The BBQ sauce was sweet and tangy, making every bite a little party in my mouth!
If you go, you have to try their mac and cheese! It’s so creamy and cheesy, and it goes perfectly with the ribs. Corky’s really knows how to make comfort food that feels like a warm hug!
3. Sims Bar-B-Que
Phone: (501) 372-6868
Menu: simsbbqar.com
Directions: Open on Map
Sims Bar-B-Que is one of those places that just feels like home! When I walked in, I could tell it had been around for a long time—since 1937, can you believe it? The space is super simple, but that’s what makes it so cozy. You can sit inside or outside, and it always has a nice, relaxed vibe.
What really stands out at Sims is their BBQ sandwiches. I tried the pulled pork sandwich, and oh my goodness, it was so good! The meat was super tender and juicy, and the homemade sauce was just perfect. Every bite felt like a warm hug from the past!
If you go, you have to get their baked beans as a side! They’re sweet and smoky, and they go so well with the sandwich. Sims Bar-B-Que really knows how to make BBQ that feels like a big, comforting meal!
4. Whole Hog Cafe
Phone: (501) 664-5025
Menu: www.wholehogcafe.com
Directions: Open on Map
Whole Hog Cafe is one of my favorite BBQ spots in Little Rock! When I walked in, I just loved the chill vibe. It’s super relaxed, and you can pick to sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to enjoy the sunshine. Plus, they even deliver, which is super handy when I’m feeling lazy!
What really makes Whole Hog Cafe special is their brisket. I ordered a plate, and oh wow, it was so tender and full of flavor! The smoky taste was just perfect, and it practically melted in my mouth.
If you go, you have to try their ribs too! They’re juicy and have this nice char that makes them extra tasty. Pair them with their tangy coleslaw, and you’ve got a meal that’s just awesome. Whole Hog Cafe really knows how to do BBQ right!
5. H.B.’S BAR-B-Q
Phone: (501) 565-1930
Menu: www.facebook.com
Directions: Open on Map
H.B.’S BAR-B-Q is one of my favorite places to eat in Little Rock! When I walked in, I felt so cozy and at home. The vibe is super relaxed, and you can choose to sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to enjoy the fresh air. It’s just a great place to hang out!
What really makes H.B.’S special is their smoked chicken. I tried it, and wow, it was so juicy and full of flavor! The seasoning was just right, and it had that yummy smoky taste that I love.
If you go, you have to get their potato salad as a side! It’s creamy and delicious, and it goes perfectly with the chicken. H.B.’S BAR-B-Q really knows how to make BBQ that feels like a big, tasty hug!
6. Wright’s Barbecue – Little Rock
Phone: (501) 441-5774
Menu: wrightsbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Wright’s Barbecue in Little Rock is one of my favorite places to grab some BBQ! When I walked in, I just loved the friendly vibe. It felt so welcoming! You can sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to enjoy the fresh air. And guess what? They even deliver, which is super handy when I’m craving BBQ at home!
What really makes Wright’s special is their smoked brisket. I ordered a plate, and oh wow, it was so tender and full of flavor! The smoky taste was just perfect, and it practically melted in my mouth.
If you go, you have to try their baked beans as a side! They’re sweet and smoky, and they go so well with the brisket. Wright’s Barbecue really knows how to make BBQ that makes you feel all warm and happy inside!
7. Platnum BBQ at the Riverfront
Phone: (501) 457-3128
Menu: platnumbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Platnum BBQ at the Riverfront is one of my favorite places to enjoy BBQ in Little Rock! When I walked in, I just loved the chill vibe and the pretty view of the river. You can sit inside where it’s nice and comfy or outside to soak up the sunshine. And guess what? They even deliver, which is super handy when I want BBQ at home!
What really makes Platnum BBQ special is their pulled pork. I tried it, and oh wow, it was so juicy and full of flavor! The meat was perfectly smoked, and the BBQ sauce had just the right amount of kick that made it even better.
If you go, you have to try their ribs too! They’re so tender and have this nice char that makes them extra yummy. Platnum BBQ really knows how to serve up BBQ that makes you feel all warm and happy inside!
8. Sims Barbecue, Mr. Ronnie!
Directions: Open on Map
Sims Barbecue, Mr. Ronnie! is one of my favorite spots in Little Rock! When I walked in, I felt this super warm and friendly vibe that made me smile right away. The place is simple, but that’s what makes it cozy and nice. You can sit inside where it’s cool or outside to enjoy the fresh air, which is always fun!
What really makes Mr. Ronnie’s special is their BBQ sandwiches. I tried the brisket sandwich, and oh wow, it was so tasty! The meat was super tender and had that yummy smoky flavor that I just love.
If you go, you have to get their crispy fries as a side! They’re so delicious and go perfectly with the sandwich. Sims Barbecue, Mr. Ronnie! really knows how to make BBQ that feels like a big, happy treat!
9. Sim’s Bar-B-Que
Sim’s Bar-B-Que is one of my favorite places to enjoy BBQ in Little Rock! When I walked in, I felt this super friendly vibe that made me smile right away. The place is cozy and simple, which makes it feel just like home. You can sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to enjoy the fresh air, which is always nice!
What really makes Sim’s special is their BBQ chicken. I tried it, and oh my goodness, it was so juicy and full of flavor! The smoky taste was just perfect, and the seasoning was so yummy that I couldn’t get enough.
If you go, you have to get their coleslaw as a side! It’s crunchy and creamy, and it goes perfectly with the chicken. Sim’s Bar-B-Que really knows how to make BBQ that feels like a big, happy meal!
10. Husky Lew’s BBQ
Phone: (501) 480-5132
Menu: www.huskylewsbbq.com
Directions: Open on Map
Husky Lew’s BBQ is one of my favorite spots in Little Rock! When I walked in, I felt this super friendly vibe that made me smile right away. The place is cozy, and you can choose to sit inside where it’s nice and cool or outside to enjoy the fresh air. Plus, they even have curbside pickup, which is super handy when I want to grab BBQ on the go!
What really makes Husky Lew’s special are their smoked ribs. I tried them, and oh my goodness, they were so tender and packed with flavor! The smoky taste was just perfect, and the sauce was so yummy that I wanted to lick my plate clean.
If you go, you have to get their baked beans as a side! They’re sweet and smoky, and they go perfectly with the ribs. Husky Lew’s BBQ really knows how to make BBQ that makes you feel all warm and happy inside!
Map of BBQ in Little Rock, AR
Choosing the Right Restaurant for You
With 10 excellent places, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Restaurant | Price | Seating | Takeout | Delivery | Wheelchair | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down Home Blues BBQ | – | Yes | Yes | No | – | – |
| Corky’s Ribs & BBQ | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Sims Bar-B-Que | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | No |
| Whole Hog Cafe | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| H.B.’S BAR-B-Q | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No | – | No |
| Wright’s Barbecue – Little Rock | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Platnum BBQ at the Riverfront | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Sims Barbecue, Mr. Ronnie! | – | Yes | Yes | – | Accessible | – |
| Sim’s Bar-B-Que | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | Yes |
| Husky Lew’s BBQ | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | – |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are the best BBQ restaurants in Little Rock?
Oh, there are so many great BBQ spots in Little Rock! Some of my favorites are Down Home Blues BBQ, Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, and Whole Hog Cafe. Each place has its own yummy flavors and a cozy feel that makes you want to come back for more! -
Is BBQ in Little Rock expensive?
Not really! Most BBQ places in Little Rock have pretty good prices. You can enjoy a delicious meal without spending too much, which is awesome for BBQ lovers like me! -
Can I get BBQ delivered in Little Rock?
Yes, you can! Many BBQ restaurants, like Whole Hog Cafe and H.B.’S BAR-B-Q, offer delivery. It’s super easy to enjoy tasty BBQ right at home when you don’t feel like going out! -
Are there vegetarian options at BBQ places in Little Rock?
While BBQ is mostly about meat, some places do have vegetarian sides like coleslaw, baked beans, and salads. It’s always a good idea to check the menu or ask the staff for what they have! -
What is the typical BBQ style in Little Rock?
Little Rock BBQ is all about hickory-smoked meats with different sauces that can be sweet or tangy. The flavors are bold, and the meats are super tender and juicy, which makes every bite so good! -
Do I need a reservation for BBQ restaurants in Little Rock?
Most of the time, you don’t need a reservation. But it’s smart to call ahead, especially on busy weekends. Some places, like Sim’s Bar-B-Que, do take reservations for bigger groups, which is nice! -
What are the must-try dishes at BBQ spots in Little Rock?
You really have to try the pulled pork, smoked ribs, and brisket when you visit BBQ places in Little Rock. Each dish is packed with flavor and shows off the amazing BBQ skills of the chefs!
