In the southern United States, there’s a great BBQ restaurant on nearly every corner. Although Iowa isn’t “The South,” if you ask around, good BBQ isn’t hard to find in Iowa. Here are some of the restaurants with the best BBQ sandwiches in the state.
- Mosley’s Barbecue and Provisions is located at 525 S Gilbert Street in Iowa City.
Mosley’s/Facebook It’s known for its atmosphere, patio seating, drink specials, and the on-site smoked BBQ pork.
Mosley’s/Facebook More than just a locally owned restaurant, Mosley’s is committed to offering high quality food. From the hickory used to smoke the meat to the collard greens, everything at Mosley’s is locally sourced.
- Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack has two Iowa City locations; 1940 Lower Muscatine Road and 201 South Clinton Street.
Jimmy Jack’s BBQ/Facebook The sandwich is called, “The Supreme” and it’s one of the best in Iowa. Jimmy Jack’s BBQ is known for their pork, chicken, and brisket simmered in their original BBQ sauce.
Jimmy Jacks Rib Shack Website Fans of Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack say the Caroline Mustard, Cowboy Sauce, and the famous Four Alarm Sauce are excellent.
- The Wishbone in Waterloo is located at 201 West 18th Street.
Wishbone Waterloo/Facebook It’s a humble hometown joint with a lot of heart, great daily specials, and an amazing selection of BBQ.
Wishbone/Yelp The food at The Wishbone is cooked with care, and many dishes are made from scratch. Locals love the chicken fried steak, beer battered cheese fries, hot subs, and of course the barbecue. The one-pound burger is for big appetites, and makes for an impressive meal.
- Jacks Beef Delight & BBQ is located at 415 West Lincoln Way in Nevada.
Jack’s Beef Delight & BBQ/Facebook They also have a food truck, and their BBQ is so popular that they often sell out. You can find their truck at local events like Lincoln Highway Days.
Jack’s Beef Delight & BBQ/Facebook Editor’s Note: Jack’s Beef Delight & BBQ is permanently closed.
At Jack’s Beef Delight & BBQ, locals often refer to the food as “meat heaven”. Their BBQ brisket is legendary, as is their BBQ pulled pork sandwich. For those who have a hard time deciding, the sampler platter includes beef, pork, and brisket. They also have full and half racks of ribs.
- You can find Smokey D’s at 5055 NW 2nd Street, 1210 Locust Street, or 601 Locust Street, in Des Moines.
Steven M./Yelp Smokey D’s BBQ is an award-winning restaurant with food that’s so good, the locals can’t quit talking about it. Even the mac and cheese and potato casserole sides are amazing.
Rigs R./Yelp Enjoy a rack of ribs smothered in the Smokey D’s signature sauce, the well-known burnt ends dish, or their incredible BBQ sandwich. The place is full of fun decor and BBQ trophies from famous competitions like the American Royal in Kansas City.
- You’ll find Jethro’s BBQ famously scrumptious BBQ sandwich masterpiece at any of their locations throughout West Des Moines, Waukee, Johnston, Ankeny, Altoona, and Drake.
Jethro’s BBQ Website This restaurant has been featured on “Man vs. Food”. Men’s Health Magazine called it the “Manliest Restaurant in the Midwest”. Food Network identified it as one of the “Top 5 Bacon Bites”.
Jethro’s BBQ/Facebook Jethro’s BBQ in Des Moines is responsible for the “Des Moines Melt” you see, here. It’s a triple decker sandwich with pit smoked ham, pork belly, and bacon on Texas toast with extra melty American and Gouda cheese.
- QDogs BBQ Company is a locally-owned BBQ restaurant and food truck with a home base at 895 Blairs Ferry Road in Marion, Iowa.
QDogs BBQ Company/Facebook Live music, whole hog roasts, and the some of the best BBQ in eastern Iowa makes them local legends.
Grant H./Yelp Their pulled pork sandwiches will more than fill you up. Cheesy potatoes and cornbread are just a few of their awesome side dishes. Other favorites include the QDog BBQ brisket sandwich and Philly brisket sub.
- Sweet and Saucy in Fairfield sits back from the road a bit, so it’s easy to miss at 117 North Court Street.
Lydia Z./Yelp It may not be fancy, but the food gets rave reviews from travelers and locals. Pulled pork with sweet potato fries are a favorite. You’ll have a lot of different sauces to choose from. Try them all!
Tony B./Yelp They smoke it all at Sweet and Saucy. Try the smoked cheeseburger with an onion ring topper, smoked meatloaf, or their pulled pork BBQ sandwich with a side of their delicious baked beans.
- Vinny’s BBQ is located in Dakota City at 507 Main Street.
Bruce B./Yelp Editor’s Note: Vinnie’s BBQ is temporarily closed.
This classic small town restaurant offers great food and some of the best BBQ in the state of Iowa. The hot BBQ gets especially high praise for it’s “not too hot” but still spicy enough taste.
Eric L./Yelp The brisket sandwich with a side of fries and house-made coleslaw make a nice meal for first-time visitors. Perfectly spiced burnt ends, moist BBQ chicken, and small town hospitality make this restaurant a worthy stop in the Dakota City area.
- Old Armory BBQ in Decorah is located at 421 West Water Street.
Old Armory BBQ/Facebook This restaurant stands up to the best BBQ joints in Kansas City and Tennessee. They are known for their blueberry BBQ sauce, extra-cheesy mac and cheese, and their pulled pork BBQ sandwiches.
Old Armory BBQ/Facebook Frequent diners at Old Armory BBQ know that the coleslaw and brisket are perfectly seasoned. The pulled pork is an Iowa pork shoulder slow smoked with a 20-ingredient rub that’s top secret. All of their sauces are within easy reach at the table and are made from scratch.
Good food isn’t hard to find in Iowa. Are there any other BBQ joints in Iowa that can boast the “best” sandwich?
Mosley’s/Facebook
It’s known for its atmosphere, patio seating, drink specials, and the on-site smoked BBQ pork.
More than just a locally owned restaurant, Mosley’s is committed to offering high quality food. From the hickory used to smoke the meat to the collard greens, everything at Mosley’s is locally sourced.
Jimmy Jack’s BBQ/Facebook
The sandwich is called, “The Supreme” and it’s one of the best in Iowa. Jimmy Jack’s BBQ is known for their pork, chicken, and brisket simmered in their original BBQ sauce.
Jimmy Jacks Rib Shack Website
Fans of Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack say the Caroline Mustard, Cowboy Sauce, and the famous Four Alarm Sauce are excellent.
Wishbone Waterloo/Facebook
It’s a humble hometown joint with a lot of heart, great daily specials, and an amazing selection of BBQ.
Wishbone/Yelp
The food at The Wishbone is cooked with care, and many dishes are made from scratch. Locals love the chicken fried steak, beer battered cheese fries, hot subs, and of course the barbecue. The one-pound burger is for big appetites, and makes for an impressive meal.
Jack’s Beef Delight & BBQ/Facebook
They also have a food truck, and their BBQ is so popular that they often sell out. You can find their truck at local events like Lincoln Highway Days.
Editor’s Note: Jack’s Beef Delight & BBQ is permanently closed.
At Jack’s Beef Delight & BBQ, locals often refer to the food as “meat heaven”. Their BBQ brisket is legendary, as is their BBQ pulled pork sandwich. For those who have a hard time deciding, the sampler platter includes beef, pork, and brisket. They also have full and half racks of ribs.
Steven M./Yelp
Smokey D’s BBQ is an award-winning restaurant with food that’s so good, the locals can’t quit talking about it. Even the mac and cheese and potato casserole sides are amazing.
Rigs R./Yelp
Enjoy a rack of ribs smothered in the Smokey D’s signature sauce, the well-known burnt ends dish, or their incredible BBQ sandwich. The place is full of fun decor and BBQ trophies from famous competitions like the American Royal in Kansas City.
Jethro’s BBQ Website
This restaurant has been featured on “Man vs. Food”. Men’s Health Magazine called it the “Manliest Restaurant in the Midwest”. Food Network identified it as one of the “Top 5 Bacon Bites”.
Jethro’s BBQ/Facebook
Jethro’s BBQ in Des Moines is responsible for the “Des Moines Melt” you see, here. It’s a triple decker sandwich with pit smoked ham, pork belly, and bacon on Texas toast with extra melty American and Gouda cheese.
QDogs BBQ Company/Facebook
Live music, whole hog roasts, and the some of the best BBQ in eastern Iowa makes them local legends.
Grant H./Yelp
Their pulled pork sandwiches will more than fill you up. Cheesy potatoes and cornbread are just a few of their awesome side dishes. Other favorites include the QDog BBQ brisket sandwich and Philly brisket sub.
Lydia Z./Yelp
It may not be fancy, but the food gets rave reviews from travelers and locals. Pulled pork with sweet potato fries are a favorite. You’ll have a lot of different sauces to choose from. Try them all!
Tony B./Yelp
They smoke it all at Sweet and Saucy. Try the smoked cheeseburger with an onion ring topper, smoked meatloaf, or their pulled pork BBQ sandwich with a side of their delicious baked beans.
Bruce B./Yelp
Editor’s Note: Vinnie’s BBQ is temporarily closed.
This classic small town restaurant offers great food and some of the best BBQ in the state of Iowa. The hot BBQ gets especially high praise for it’s “not too hot” but still spicy enough taste.
Eric L./Yelp
The brisket sandwich with a side of fries and house-made coleslaw make a nice meal for first-time visitors. Perfectly spiced burnt ends, moist BBQ chicken, and small town hospitality make this restaurant a worthy stop in the Dakota City area.
Old Armory BBQ/Facebook
This restaurant stands up to the best BBQ joints in Kansas City and Tennessee. They are known for their blueberry BBQ sauce, extra-cheesy mac and cheese, and their pulled pork BBQ sandwiches.
Frequent diners at Old Armory BBQ know that the coleslaw and brisket are perfectly seasoned. The pulled pork is an Iowa pork shoulder slow smoked with a 20-ingredient rub that’s top secret. All of their sauces are within easy reach at the table and are made from scratch.
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