3 Best Barbecue Restaurants in Cincinnati, OH

"Eli's BBQ makes hickory-smoked pork sandwiches with homemade BBQ sauce and coleslaw. You can buy their food by the pound, and it’s served in big containers, buffet-style. The food is hot and ready to eat when you ask for it at the restaurant. Eli’s BBQ has several locations and keeps growing by staying true to classic BBQ flavors. Their buffet catering is great for birthdays, office parties, family get-togethers, weddings, or even just a takeout meal. Gift cards are available for your loved ones. You can dine in or take your food to go. Each year, Eli's BBQ sets aside money to support charities and offers discounted BBQs for good causes. Their Hot Dogs feature two smoked all-beef hot dogs, flash-fried for extra flavor, served in buns and topped with BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and crunchy pork crispins. High chairs are available for kids. The restaurant offers good food in a welcoming setting, and they have another location at Findlay Market. They also serve food at Newport Kroger, Harper’s Point Kroger, Findlay Market, and Liberty Kroger.

"Lucius Q offers smoked meats and craft beer in a lively, modern space with an industrial feel. They combine different BBQ styles from across the U.S. to create something special that brings all kinds of people together. Their meats come from a local butcher and are slow-cooked and smoked by their pitmaster, Tom Martin and his team. Everything is made fresh in-house. They’re known for their smoked meats, tasty sides, craft beers, and spirits. The restaurant features a patio and often hosts live music from local bands. The bar has a great selection of craft beer and bourbon to go with your food. This is a great spot for events like rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, work gatherings, and business retreats. Their mezzanine comfortably seats 60 people and includes space for a private bar, buffet, and TV. For larger events, you can rent out the entire restaurant which can host up to 130 guests with bar and buffet service available on both levels. They offer both dine-in and takeout. You can also buy gift cards, either digital or physical, as a fun gift. Their Pendleton location can seat 120 to 150 people and has a semi-private upstairs area for about 60 guests, perfect for special events like holiday parties or business lunches.