3 Best Barbecue Restaurants in Des Moines, IA

"Smokey D's BBQ is a family-owned restaurant with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. They serve tasty BBQ dishes, sandwiches, American comfort food, and classic sides. Darren and Sherry Warth started the restaurant because they loved BBQ and did well in BBQ competitions, which inspired them to open their own restaurant and catering business. They have won over 40 state BBQ championships and more than 600 local, regional, and national awards. Their menu includes delicious options like brisket, BBQ sandwiches, chopped pork, chicken, and BBQ platters. Smokey D's BBQ also offers catering for events like weddings, business lunches, and parties. Their buffet setup includes buns, BBQ sauce, disposable plates and utensils to make things easy. Their great food, fair prices, and award-winning quality have made them a favorite spot for BBQ in Central Iowa. Smokey D's BBQ also serves great cocktails. Their BBQ Nachos are your choice of Chopped Pork, Chicken, or Chopped Brisket.

"Flying Mango is a popular spot known for their tasty mix of BBQ, Cajun, and Caribbean food. They started as a catering business in 1997 and have a lot of experience bringing great food to events. Flying Mango is a kid-friendly restaurant. You can enjoy big portions of BBQ, Southern, Caribbean, and Cajun/Creole dishes in the spacious dining room. Their brisket is especially loved by customers. The colorful walls and friendly neighborhood feel make it a fun and relaxing place to eat. Their popular dishes include Louisiana "BBQ" Shrimp & Grits, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and BBQ Chopped Brisket Sandwiches. Their Shrimp Pontchartrain is served with seafood gravy, veggies, and rice.

"Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que West Des Moines serves delicious wood-smoked meats and tasty sides in a fun, American West-style setting. This restaurant is located 9.5 miles from Des Moines. "Famous" Dave Anderson is the founder, who is a BBQ expert and has won over 700 awards. His love for BBQ has helped make Famous Dave’s a top spot for great food. They are passionate about real BBQ and show it in everything they do. Their skilled Pitmasters start early, lighting hickory wood at 4 a.m. to give the meat its rich, smoky flavor. They season the meat with fresh spices and cook it slowly to make it tender and full of flavor. Guests can enjoy real pit-smoked BBQs, homemade sides, and fresh desserts at the restaurant. Their traditional Wings feature Dave’s wings specially seasoned and tossed in a choice of sauce. You can also order your favorite dishes from home.