Few cuisines are quite as universally well-loved as barbecue. Almost every civilization since the beginning of forever has had its own spins on it, and today, it remains one of the top favorite foods in the United States. Well, we here at OnlyInYourState want to take a couple of hours to celebrate the best BBQ in Indiana with a delightfully delicious, melt-in-your-mouth amazing road trip. It’s brief at a little over two hours if you don’t stop (but why wouldn’t you?), but trust us when we say the journey your tastebuds are about to go on is an amazing one. See the entire journey – and change the route if you need to using this interactive map! Bring your appetite – you’ll need it for some of these top most amazing places to get barbecue in Indiana.

Google Maps
Though we'll be spending most of our time in the Indy area, you can expect to begin your journey in Edinburgh, Indiana, at Hickory Hillz BBQ.
Hickory Hillz BBQ-Edinburgh/Facebook
16021 US-31, Edinburgh, IN 46124, USA
Hickory Hillz BBQ-Edinburgh/Facebook
Hickory Hillz has long been a delicious staple in Edinburgh; it's among the highest-rated restaurants in the area, and something that seems to come up in the reviews a lot is, "This is some of THE best (everything)!" They offer up all the classics, and each dish is perfect on its own. Learn more about this little bbq stop shop on its official website.
Next, we'll head up to Indianapolis, where we'll make a few stops.
Michael Claxton/Google Local
The first of them is the wonderful Smokin' Barrel BBQ, which certainly fits the description as a "hole in the wall" thanks to its being within the SERTOMA Club of East Indy.
2316 S German Church Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46239, USA
Smokin' Barrel Barbeque/Facebook
Do NOT allow that to deter you from pigging out at this place - often called "the best barbecue around," the side dishes are as delish as the entrees. One review, in particular, says that the mac and cheese is "delicious and unique," and we really love that descriptor. Check out the full menu and learn more on the official Smokin' Barrel website.
Next up! We hope you saved some room (okay, probably impossible at this point) because this next one is a doozy!
Old Gold Barbecue/Facebook

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140 S College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Old Gold Barbecue/Facebook
Old Gold Barbecue is a long-standing local fave, and it's easy to understand why. Everything it serves is heavenly; folks swear that after trying the brisket nachos at Old Gold, they won't ever eat nachos from anywhere else ever again. Sounds good to us. Check out the official website for the menu, hours, and plenty more info.
Our next stop is a little place known as Rooster's Kitchen, which is a place beloved among locals, many of whom are regulars here.
Rooster's Kitchen/Facebook
888 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Rooster's Kitchen/Facebook
Our favorite review of Rooster's Kitchen said, and we quote: "Give this place your money. It will give you a round tummy in return," and honestly... yeah. Yeah, it will. Worth it! Read more about this amazing stop on its official website!
Our second-to-last restaurant is one of the best barbecue places in Indiana that nobody's ever heard of.
Rick Macaluso/Google Local
3736 Doctor M.L.K. Jr St, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
Tracy O/Google Local
Hank's Smoked Briskets is a tiny place with huge flavor. Patrons have quite literally driven up to Indiana from as far as San Antonio to try this place, and it's worth that drive and then some. When it comes to the best barbecue in Indiana, it doesn't get much better than Hank's, and Hank's deserves all the love. Check out the official Hank's website for a menu and more!
Finally, we head up to Cicero for our last (but not least) stop: Big Dog's Smokehouse.
Big Dog's Smokehouse BBQ/Facebook
29 E Jackson St, Cicero, IN 46034, USA
Big Dog's Smokehouse BBQ/Facebook
This Cicero legend is a must-do for every Hoosier (and everyone outside of Indiana, too). If you enjoy ribs that you can't pick up by the bone because all the meat just sloughs off, you're in the right place. Check out the official website and try to contain your mouth-watering. We betcha can't. Everything here is melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Want the route to take for this epic road trip? Here’s the official Google Maps route we created just for you!

What are some of your favorite barbecue stops in Indiana that you’d like to see us include in future road trips? Who would you say has the best BBQ in Indiana? Tell us all about them by filling out this form!

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More to Explore

Best BBQ In Indiana

Tori Jane | February 04, 2023
  1. Where can I find the best BBQ in Indiana? 

Believe it or not, Indiana is an excellent place for good barbecue! We have a massive array of favorite BBQ places in Indiana, and it’s hard to list them all. Some of the most famous BBQ in Indiana comes from places like:  

  • Big Hoffa’s BBQ is an amazing spot in Westfield that is famous for its rich flavor and out-of-this-world sauces 
  • Smokin’ Barrel BBQ is an Indianapolis hotspot famous for its tacos and ribs 
  • Jefferson Street BBQ is in Converse and famous for its amazing, melt-in-your-mouth brisket 

 

Learn more about some of the best restaurants in Indiana besides barbecue.  

  1. What are some of the top restaurants in Indiana? 

Of course, the list of the best BBQ in Indiana doesn’t end with the above; oh, no. There are so many more. Some other top BBQ restaurants in Indiana you’ll find yourself craving like crazy are:  

  • Oakleys Bistro is in Indianapolis and is well-known for its high-quality and delicious entrees 
  • Nick’s Kitchen is known as the place where the famous breaded tenderloin – the official sandwich of Indiana – was born 
  • St. Elmo Steakhouse – famous steak and chops spot in Indiana with a gourmet menu and the best steaks around 

 

Learn more about some of the best restaurants in Indiana.  

  1. What are some stops to make on an Indiana road trip full of BBQ places? 

There are dozens of amazing places we would put on a list of BBQ spots in Indiana worthy of becoming stops on road trips. Some of these include:  

  • Hickory Hillz BBQ in Edinburgh 
  • Smokin’ Barrel BBQ in Indy, as mentioned above 
  • Old Gold Barbecue, also in Indianapolis 

 

Learn more about all these amazing choices and then some on this delicious Indiana BBQ road trip. 

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