This Belle Chasse barbecue stand, manned by New Orleanians Bobby Monsted III and Aaron Gelfand (who started as fishing guides and friends and backyard barbecuers), is modeled after a central Texas trading post and has been a favorite of locals and critics for years. This is the spot for Texas-style barbecue (try the Texas brisket, which is moist and flavorful).

Started as a New Orleans festival vendor and brewery pop-up favorite, Gonzo’s now serves its award-winning smoked brisket, the star of the show, as well as ribs, pork mac and cheese, Mexican corn, and other traditional barbecue sides out of a strip mall storefront in Luling, LA. This place is so highly rated by customers that it draws a huge number of Orleans Parish residents for weekly Thursday or Friday visits — the only two days of the week it’s open.

This Harahan strip mall spot is a family favorite loved for brisket, pork, pulled chicken, burnt ends, ribs, and salmon, but the specials here are not to be missed — items like smoked brisket grilled cheese, barbecue nachos, smoked chicken salad, and perhaps best of all, the smoked meatloaf. Steve Mock is a Kansas City native, but he’s not a Kansas barbecue purist — there are Texas influences here, too, and sauces, all excellent, are served on the side. Customers love Mock’s smash burger as well.

This Central City spot housed in a corrugated metal building opened in late 2016 with a trio of custom-built cookers for smoking meats and an eye for pushing boundaries. Burnt ends, which even come on a salad, are one specialty, Hogs for the Cause award-winning smoked wings are another. Also check out the spoon bread, meat pies, and Brussels sprouts.

This Bywater landmark known for its pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and locally made chaurice sausage is one of the city’s oldest and best, a true classic. The dining room is open, a joyful thing indeed for the many fans who can’t wait to tuck into the brisket burnt ends and some of the juiciest ribs in town. Homemade pie by the slice? Yes please. Daily fruit daiquiri specials? Indeed. Excellent sides here as well.

Frey Smoked Meat Co. gets its name from the owner Ray Gruezke's great-great-grandpa, who was a sausage maker in the French Quarter in the 19th century. This Mid-City barbecue spot not only turns out incredible sausage, barbecue sandwiches, and platters (try the St. Louis ribs), but it's also home to some of the best biscuits and cornbread in town, and host to a wealth of snack options, from loaded brisket fries and four different kinds of mac and cheese to craft cocktails and gigantic milkshakes.

Blue Oak has one of New Orleans’s most fiercely loyal and widespread fanbases to be had. The sprawling Mid City space indoors and out is a fun, lively setting for quality smoked meat platters, sandwiches, sausages, amazing wings, and classic sides — not to mention their wildly popular fried chicken sandwich. Be sure to check out daily specials, as they’re menu highlights.

This New Orleans East barbecue outpost is well-known for providing its famous cochon de lait po’ boy at Jazz Fest, Satchmo Fest, and other high-profile local occasions (even its website URL puts the attention on the cochon de lait), but don't overlook its pork and other barbecue favorites. Pitmaster Jonathan Walker calls it, "New Orleans-style, baby.”