The 11 Best Places to Get BBQ in the Sacramento Area

Finding quality BBQ is serious business. Thankfully, there are many BBQ providers in the Sacramento area that don’t mess around. Serving everything from brisket to tri-tip, with classic sides like coleslaw, green beans and greasy fries, these BBQ joints in and around Sacramento are certainly worth a visit.

Work up an appetite, don your bib, and grab a pile of napkins! Let’s embark on a BBQ adventure through Sacramento.

Tank House BBQ & Bar

1925 J Street, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of Tank House

Tank House is a trendy BBQ joint in the heart of Midtown serving classic BBQ food in an eclectic space. Order a plate filled with mouth-watering meats, like beef brisket, pulled pork, or baby back ribs. Or order a tasty sandwich, such as the smoked turkey sandwich served hot on a hoagie roll with spinach, arugula, garlic aioli, and white American cheese. Or serve your whole party with a large platter! Enjoy your meal in the cozy interior, at the full bar, or out on the spacious outdoor patio backing up to the historic water tank house built in 1881.

Sandra Dee’s BBQ & Seafood

601 15th Street, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of Sandra Dee’s BBQ & Seafood

The history of Sandra Dee’s BBQ & Seafood is heart-warming and family-focused, as owner Sandra Dee discovered a love for cooking at age 9 and learned the craft by cooking with her grandmother. Today, Sandra Dee’s is still a family affair, as both Sandra Dee and her husband work in the kitchen and employ lots of family members! This laid-back bar and grill serves an excellent selection of BBQ, fried seafood, and other soul food in their comfortable and inviting space in Midtown.

Sauced BBQ and Spirits

1028 7th Street, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of Leonel Calara via Sauced BBQ and Spirits

This relatively new addition to downtown is already making big waves in the Sacramento dining scene. At each of its four locations in Northern California, Sauced BBQ and Spirits is bringing Southern cuisine and hospitality to the region, one BBQ plate at a time. Order one of their legendary “plates from the pit” served with two sides. Options include burnt ends, sliced brisket, Carolina pulled pork, or smoked ½-chicken. Or opt for the combo plate, which includes your choice of two or three meats. Plus, Sauced is a perfect place to take the little ones! We think it’s one of the best family-friendly restaurants in the Sacramento area.

Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ

6628 Lonetree Boulevard, Rocklin

Head to this smokehouse in Rocklin to experience what has made this regional chain so successful. Lucille’s serves a wide selection of classic BBQ, all of which is slowly smoked with hickory wood. Favorites include their baby back ribs, Alabama Chicken, and the “Back Porch”, a lip-smacking half chicken and BBQ tri-tip, hand-carved to order, served with your choice of baby back, St. Louis, or beef ribs.

Fahrenheit 250

7042 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of Fahrenheit 250

Fahrenheit 250 is serious about BBQ and it’s clear with each bite. They respect both their guests and their craft, which is why they insist on using the freshest and highest-quality meats and ingredients throughout their menu. These quality meats are smoked low and slow at a consistent 250 degrees with locally seasoned oak and fruit woods, making Fahrenheit 250 a “pellet-free zone”. Each item on their menu is made from scratch, from the four unique barbecue sauces to the fresh-squeezed lemonade. Pair your BBQ with a handcrafted cocktail made with fresh ingredients and house-infused liquors.

Smokey Oaks Tavern

9634 Fair Oaks Boulevard, Fair Oaks

Photo Courtesy of Smokey Oaks Tavern

Smokey Oaks Tavern in Fair Oaks will satisfy all your hearty food cravings with their diverse offerings, including seafood, steak, chicken, sandwiches, and of course — a number of BBQ dishes. The Smokey Oaks Tavern Tri Tip Dip is made with smoked tri-tip, a housemade BBQ sauce, melted cheddar, and an onion ring. The Smoked Meats plate includes a ¼-rack of St. Louis ribs, smoked pork shoulder, smoked hot link, coleslaw, fries, and a housemade BBQ sauce.

Buckhorn Grill

Midtown, The UV + Roseville

This regional chain has been serving up delicious BBQ since 1999, and now has three locations in the area, including one in Roseville. Buckhorn Grill is especially known for their exceptional tri-tip. All meats at Buckhorn are expertly cooked, charred, roasted, or grilled — from the hand-pulled pork to the flavorful chicken. Each plate is seasoned, rubbed, and sauced to perfection. Stop by either of their locations in Sacramento or in Roseville to see what all the tri-tip hype is about!

Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse

1322 V Street, Sacramento

Photo Courtesy of Troy Cooper via Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse

Combine the best of both worlds with a visit to the brand-new Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse, a modern brewery in the heart of Sacramento. Urban Roots serves a delicious collection of craft beers, brewed on site in their state-of-the-art facilities. But the brewery doesn’t stop there. They also serve a mean selection of smokehouse eats, including smoked brisket and ribs, shareable food, vegetarian food, sandwiches, salads, and more. The flavorful comfort food pairs quite well with Urban Roots’ lagers, IPAs, porters, stouts, and Belgian-inspired ales.

Back Forty Texas BBQ

1201 Orlando Avenue, Roseville + 3977 Durock Road, Shingle Springs

Photo Courtesy of Back Forty Texas BBQ

Founded in 1978 in Pleasant Hill, Back Forty Texas BBQ has a rich history serving award-winning BBQ throughout the region. The concept of this renowned BBQ joint is simple: use only the freshest and finest ingredients, stick to authentic Texas recipes, and treat all guests with good old-fashioned Southern hospitality. Head to either location in Roseville or Shingle Springs to see why Back Forty has received prestigious awards for decades.

Smokers Wild BBQ

Photo Courtesy of Smokers Wild BBQ

Experience the city’s best BBQ-on-wheels by tracking down the Smokers Wild BBQ food truck! You might find the truck parked at a local event, or you can even invite them to cater your own private event instead. Keep up with the whereabouts of this famous BBQ truck by following Smokers Wild BBQ on Facebook. Take one look at their simple yet tantalizing menu.

JR’s Texas BBQ

180 Otto Circle, Sacramento

Travel south of Sacramento for a true Southern experience at JR’s Texas BBQ, serving some of the best BBQ in the city. This hidden gem is the real deal! For over 30 years, JR of JR’s Texas BBQ has been serving the region at his restaurant location and through his exceptional catering services. Don’t miss JR’s Mesquite Smoked Beef Brisket, a favorite amongst regulars and guests — even those visiting from Texas!

Who serves your favorite BBQ in the city?

Let us know which of these BBQ joints is your favorite — or ones we may have missed! Share in the comments below.