Remember when finding real barbecue in Tulsa meant settling for dry brisket that tasted like it had been smoked with yesterday’s newspaper? Forget what your cousin who swears gas grills are just as good says—Tulsa’s barbecue scene is firing up like never before.
Stutts House Of Barbecue
$ | (918) 428-2355 | WEBSITE
A meal at Stutts House Of Barbecue is worth it for the ribs alone. This charming, modest restaurant in Tulsa makes tender, smoky ribs with a flavor that you could quite happily devour, one after the other, with nothing else. But they’re even better as part of the lunch special. The platter comes with two meats, baked beans, potato salad, buttermilk pie, and bread, and there’s an entire menu of delicious options should you want to lean in for the long afternoon or evening.
Billy Sims BBQ
$ | (918) 794-8080 | WEBSITE
You’ve got the football legend Billy Sims to thank for this satisfying and consistently smoky barbecue joint in Tulsa. While you might expect something that leans toward greasy given its sports pedigree, Billy Sims BBQ is anything but. The straightforward menu is impressive in its execution, and generous with classic barbecue favorites: things like perfectly prepared brisket and succulent turkey stand out.
The combination of a clean dining area, friendly staff, and a reliably efficient atmosphere will leave you feeling thoroughly fed.
Daddy B’s BBQ South Tulsa
$ | (918) 995-7100 | WEBSITE
You’d think that barbecue and comfort wouldn’t always align, but it turns out, tender ribs, a sweet sauce option, and a unique potato salad are actually an excellent mix. Daddy B’s BBQ South Tulsa, out in South Tulsa, is all hearty plates, with the standout being the 4-meat platter: brisket that’s fall-apart goodness, smoked sausage robust and loaded with flavor.
And, as the name suggests, there’s a solid and value-filled menu too, with fried fish that’s delicious and desserts like German chocolate cake receiving high praise.
Alpha Grill BBQ & Wings WEST
$$ | (918) 621-8788 | WEBSITE
This family-owned barbecue joint in Tulsa’s westside specialises in wings and is pretty much impossible to dislike. Much like the atmosphere, the menu is focused and satisfying. Although there aren’t endless choices, all you need to know is that the best thing here is their parm garlic wings with that phenomenal bourbon BBQ sauce. If for some reason you don’t like the sound of that, the sweet BBQ wings are also a winner, and you can’t go wrong with their loaded fries or smoked peach cobbler.
Oklahoma BBQ Supply
$$ | (918) 894-4447 | WEBSITE
This corner of Tulsa’s barbecue scene is steadily being claimed by smoky Southern flavours and one of the city’s most satisfyingly generous portions, and we’re absolutely here for it. It’s all tender meats at casual spot Oklahoma BBQ Supply, also known as OK Joe’s: be it the brisket plate with properly sliced, flavorful meat alongside coleslaw and baked beans, or a hearty 2-Meat plate with pulled pork, hot sausage, fried whole okra, and hush puppies.
It’s rich, comforting stuff that’s all about satisfaction.
Oklahoma Style Bar-B-Que
$ | (918) 835-7077 | WEBSITE
Because barbecue lovers deserve to eat exceptional food at welcoming spots too, Oklahoma Style Bar-B-Que dedicates a whole section of their menu to our vegetarian friends. And that section contains the classic barbecue joint’s knockout dish: the loaded potato, which is fluffy spud topped with fresh greens and hearty good stuff. Order a side of the warm cornbread and get deep into it.
Christy’s Good Food
$ | (918) 835-9922 | WEBSITE
A delicious temple of burgers and fries and all manner of good things, Christy’s Good Food can legitimately lay claim to having some of the best barbecue in Tulsa. And the smoked chicken here is genuinely the best thing on the menu. We’d happily come to this underrated spot any day to eat the massive baked spuds or the mouthwatering hamburgers with cheese and bacon. There can be a wait for a table when it’s busy, but the friendly and efficient staff usually move things along quickly.
Albert G’s Bar-B-Q
$ | (918) 728-3650 | WEBSITE
This spot in Tulsa is all about barbecue, but trust us, even if you come here with someone who thinks ribs need fancy sauces, they won’t notice once they try the stupidly good slab of Tulsa-style ribs or the juicy chopped brisket.
Much like its reputation suggests, Albert G’s is a proper little charmer of a barbecue joint, complete with enough rustic wood accents and cozy lighting to make it perfect for anything from a cool escape from the heat over some iced tea and a slider to a casual family dinner.
Varas Grill
$$ | (918) 404-5948 | WEBSITE
A food truck serving barbecue often translates to smoky, saucy, more smoky, and two types of pulled pork. Varas Grill in Tulsa is the exception. Yes, they do have the kind of Venezuelan flavors that will make you question whether it’s normal to be emotionally attached to a cachapa. But, as long as you show up ready for something different, the menu can deliver entirely delicious meat—it isn’t wildly expensive, and a meal here makes for a top, satisfying food truck experience.
Oklahoma Joe’s Barbecue & Catering – South Tulsa
$ | (918) 894-4447 | WEBSITE
Oklahoma Joe’s Barbecue & Catering serves champion BBQ in a spacious South Tulsa location. Order the burnt ends—crispy, tender, and smoked to perfection—and pair them with the creamy mac and cheese, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and sweet baked beans. The brisket section of the menu is a no-go for vegetarians, but the great turkey and daily specials mean there’s plenty to pick from in the sides section.
Rubicon
$ | (918) 398-0306 | WEBSITE
The smoky aroma that greets you at this modern-day juke joint in Tulsa reads like the kind of sensory promise barbecue lovers obsessively chase on weekend road trips. Although you can’t put a price on that perfect smoke ring, we can confirm that the generous smoked potato with three meats is $14.95. Although the sauces stay respectfully in the background, the meat enthusiasm is strong, and things like the polish sausage or tender pulled pork are exceptional Thursday night contenders.
Alpha Grill BBQ
$ | (918) 303-7147 | WEBSITE
Look, we all want to be at some sprawling Texas smokehouse with eight kinds of brisket to choose from. But seeing as this is Tulsa, Alpha Grill BBQ is about as close to barbecue bliss as you can get. From the family behind this modest but spotless spot, Alpha Grill’s ribs are some kind of meaty revelation. The Large Brisket sandwich is some of the best we’ve ever had.
And, well, if their three-meat dish over baked potatoes had its own phone, we’d have it saved in our contacts as SATISFACTION CENTRAL. Basically, you’re in safe hands no matter which smoky plate you go for.
RibCrib BBQ
$ | (918) 742-2742 | WEBSITE
Hey, you know what’s satisfying? Yes, pulled pork. But also, genuine care. And that’s exactly what we feel every time we visit RibCrib BBQ, a solid barbecue spot in Tulsa that’s been serving up classics for years. Thanks to its friendly staff and excellent service, this accessible restaurant is almost always welcoming.
It’s particularly perfect for a hearty, family-friendly meal where you can dive into everything from their smokey beans to their damn good fries—crispy, golden, and consistently tasty. Just be sure to arrive hungry for easy access to their brisket.
Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ – Tulsa
$ | (918) 445-0972 | WEBSITE
A restaurant named after a catfish might not immediately strike you as a sophisticated destination for those who can distinguish between hickory and mesquite smoke. But that’s exactly what Billy Ray’s is—an effortlessly authentic Tulsa spot where devouring tender brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and other smoky vehicles for that great sauce just makes sense. Securing a table during peak hours is no easy feat, but the refreshment levels of the mac and cheese make any wait worth your while.
Oakhart Barbecue
$ | (539) 867-1175 | WEBSITE
The $25 barbecue platter at Oakhart Barbecue is one of the best-value and best-tasting meat feasts you can have in Tulsa. This rustic joint makes a parade of food that begins with well-smoked brisket, moves to perfectly tender ribs, before cheesy sausage, a finale of light and creamy banana pudding. All of it is served in a casual space with picnic-style seating and a laid-back, mom-and-pop feel all over the shop.