Top 5 Spots for BBQ in Connecticut

 I still remember a time when Connecticut was a barbecue desert. Brisket could seem like an exotic item, and getting quality smoked meats usually meant a trip to New York City or further out of state. Those dark ages have, thankfully, long since passed. Today Connecticut is home to many good and several great barbecue destinations that are drawing people from out of state. In the story below, I highlight my five favorites, two of which were also featured in Texas Monthly in a feature about the best Texas barbecue outside of Texas. But before we dig into these picks, I have two caveats. First, though I love what is happening at several barbecue popups — I’m looking at you Broken Symmetry, Rise Doughnuts and Mason Sreet BBQ — this story is focused on establishments with more regular hours. Second, though I’ve tried many barbecue places in the state, I’m always on the lookout for new destinations. So if your favorite spot isn’t here and I’ve never been or you think it’s worthy of a revisit because something improved recently, I’m all ears. Now grab some napkins because we’re getting hands-on with barbecue. 

Avellino Family BBQ, Stamford 

When I meet Leland Avellino on a recent afternoon, he’s been up all night tending to the smoker and the evidence of this work is visible on his shirt in the form of what looks like a mix of barbecue sauce and soot. He asks me not to take a picture because of this but too me its as beautiful as any abstract work of art. And Avellino clearly sees and feels the beauty in what he does. “It just tells you want it’s done” he says, in response to a question about how long he smokes each brisket. “There’s two briskets on every cow. So I believe that the brisket deserves, the cow deserves the respect for us to cook it right and handle it right.” And Avellino definitely does brisket right. This summer Avellino Family BBQ was crowned Brisket King, at the popular Brisket King barbecue competition. A former corporate executive chef at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and a frequent consultant for famous barbecue restaurants in Texas and beyond, Avellino opened Avellino Family BBQ during the pandemic. Since then its operated as a food truck and ghost kitchen in which fans can pre-order and pickup various items but Avellino will soon open a Stamford brick and mortar location and fans are in for a treat. The Texas-style prime brisket, served with a slice japeno on top is some of the best I’ve ever had and are equalled by the St. Louis ribs. Other items include excellent smoked wings and sides like burnt end pit beans and cornbread. 

Don’t miss: Both the brisket and ribs are both must tries.

Hindsight BBQ, Waterbury 

Jeff Schmidt, Hindsight owner and pitmaster, is obsessed with barbecue and the way things such as meat quality and even weather can impact the final flavor. “If it's raining, or it's sunny, it's hot, it's cold — when the wind blows a certain way, when you're cooking with live fire that all factors in,” Schmidt says. This obsession helped Hindsight earn recent praise from Texas Monthly as one of the best Texas-inspired barbecue spots in the country. I’ve enjoyed many visits to Hindsight since they opened in 2020 (the place’s name is inspired by hindsight being, you know, 2020). Since day 1, Hindsight has been one of my favorite Connecticut BBQ joints, but they seem to have gotten even stronger with time. The Holy Trinty is a nearly divine plate with prime beef brisket, pork spare ribs and smoked sausage. These are matched by high-quality sides. Hindsight and its small fleet of mobile food trucks are also known for specials such as pumpkin spice smoked chicken wings, which believe it or not were a fantastic amalgamation of unexpected but effective flavors. 

Don’t Miss: The Holy Trinity is just too good to skip. Get it or forever live with regret.

Hoodoo Brown’s BBQ, Ridgefield

If I had to name one place that has put barbecue on the map in Connecticut and has helped it stay there over the past decade, it would have to be Hoodoo Brown’s BBQ. When it opened in 2015, daily sellouts were common, but Hoodoo’s has long since upped capacity and continues to impress. Hoodoo’s was also featured by Texas Monthly as one of the best Texas-style barbecue joints outside of Texas. The brisket is cut with a spoon soft and both the pork and beef ribs (when available) are must-tries with the beef ribs being a particular favorite. Owner Cody Sperry was inspired to open Hoodoo’s after a trip to Texas and subsequent experiments with a smoker at home. One decade in, Hoodoo remains a dominant force in Connecticut’s barbecue scene and a necessary part of every conversation about barbecue in the state. 

Don’t miss: The beef rib. Beef ribs are expensive for restaurants to source so come with a corresponding price tag but this dinosaur-sized hunk of meat is worth the splurge. 

Noble Smokehouse, Mystic 

Sometimes necessity really is the mother of invention. Noble Smokehouse was opened in December 2020 and owner Josh Feldman says he was motivated to do so based on a love of barbecue but also market forces. At that time, the pandemic was still raging and indoor dining was either limited or prohibited. “The market was calling for high-quality food that people could take to go,” Feldman says. He closed a preexisting Thai and Sushi Restaurant in the same spot and opened as a BBQ place featuring wood-powered, slow-smoked meats. “No electric or propane assisted smokers would be used, just wood burning offset smokers, so we could capture the authentic flavors of real Southern Style BBQ,” Feldman says. “When we combined our regional sauces made from scratch, we had the recipe for success.” On a too-hot-for-barbecue day this summer, I still couldn’t resist ordering Noble and instantly fell in love with the high-quality meats excellent sauces and all-round barbecue goodness this place features. 

Don’t miss: The jalapeno cheddar cornbread. The perfect savory side to whatever meats you order. 

Smokin’ With Chris, Southington

Opened way back in 2004 by Chris Conlin, Smokin’ With Chris is one of the OGs of the state’s barbecue scene and can still keep pace with the younger spots. It’s a regular on Connecticut Magazine best-of lists and was featured in 2023 as the best barbecue in Connecticut by Food Network. During a recent visit, I enjoyed the smoked chicken and pork ribs and loved the sauce which tended toward the sweeter side. Aso impressive are the sides including a cucumber salad — a wonderful change of pace from more common barbecue sides — and excellent mac and cheese. Other specialties include pulled pork, brisket and burnt ends. Like most barbecue spots Smokin’ With Chris is very takeout-friendly but it’s also a really fun place to hang out at, particularly if you can sit in the outdoor seating area. Its location in the heart of a revitalized downtown Southington also makes it a fan spot to visit. 

Don’t miss: The spare ribs and the cucumber salad are both must-tries here.