BARBECUE

ABITA BAR-B-Q
69399 Hwy. 59, Abita Springs, (985) 892-0205
Abita springs gets to the meat of the matter with its slow cooked brisket and pork. Sandwiches are filled with brisket, pulled pork, sausage and chicken breasts. Platter options offer slabs of ribs, turkey legs, half chickens and pork steaks. For side items, there is everything from macaroni and cheese, cornbread and potato salad to coleslaw, corn on the cob and baked beans. Abita serves bottled beer as well as local Abita and other brews on tap. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards. $


THE BAR B Q PLACE
4100 Gen. DeGaulle Drive, 392-0001; ww.thebarbqplace.com
Located on the West Bank, this joint dishes up savory beef brisket, pulled pork and St. Louis style pork ribs, all hand-rubbed with tangy seasoning and hardwood smoked for more than 12 hours. But barbecue wouldn't be barbecue without its sinful sidekicks like baked cheddar macaroni, Creole mashed potatoes, country-style coleslaw, smoked and baked potatoes and marinated onion loaf. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $$


BYWATER BAR-B-QUE
3162 Dauphine St., 944-4445
Chicken, ribs, beef brisket and pulled pork aren't the only tempting combinations at this long-time neighborhood hot spot. While barbecue is the namesake specialty here, Bywater Bar-B-Que adds Italian specials like pizza and calzones after 4 p.m. Be sure to check out the lush patio out back during nice weather. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Thu.-Tue. Cash only. $


CORKY'S RIBS & BAR-B-Q
4243 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 887-5000
This pulled-pork palace features sandwiches topped with coleslaw, dry or wet ribs and a wide variety of burgers, salads, appetizers and sides. Even the most ferocious appetite will be sated by The Killer, a slab of ribs and choice of chicken, pulled pork, beef brisket, turkey, sausage or fried catfish, plus barbecue beans, coleslaw and a homemade roll. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


HILLBILLY BAR-B-Q
208 Tallulah Ave., River Ridge, 738-1508; www.hillbillybbq.com
Hickory wood provides the distinctive flavor for Hillbilly Bar-B-Q's brisket, pulled pork, smoked boudin sausage by the link and the huge hamburger known as the Belly Buster. Diners can order a baked potato on the side or make one a meal by topping it with any of the barbecued meats. There are also smoked chicken halves and a cool chicken salad. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $


J'ANITA'S
1906 Magazine St., 373-5337; www.janitas.com
The newest barbecue joint in town is J'Anita's in the Lower Garden District. Breakfast is an á la carte assembly of eggs, meats, cheeses and whatever else you want on the plate. The lunch menu features slow-smoked pulled pork served with Killer Cajun Coleslaw and a choice of sides. Redfish is on a sandwich with feta cheese, bacon, tomato and Caesar dressing. There are also burgers and creative items. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


THE JOINT
801 Poland Ave., 949-3232; www.alwayssmokin.com
"Always smoking" is the motto of this homegrown barbecue operation. Sweet and juicy pork spare ribs are served by the half or full rack. Peppery beef brisket is smoked with pecan wood and served on a sandwich or as a platter. The "W" special combines beef and pork with one or two sides. Catering is available. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner Wed.-Sat. Credit cards. $


SWEET DADDY'S BBQ
420 Tyler St., Covington, (985) 898-2166; 2534 Florida St., Mandeville, (985) 626-0208
For seven years, Sweet Daddy's has been doing it slow and steady. You don't rush this kind of flavor. Favorites include the dry-rubbed baby-back ribs and herb-scented pulled pork, roasted and smoked for at least 12 hours. For dessert, try the homemade chocolate chip pie or the pecan island square pie, which is yellow cake mixed with pecans and cheesecake topping. Catering available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $$


TEXAS BAR-B-QUE COMPANY
3320 Houma Blvd., Metairie, 456-2832
Tucked away just off Veterans Boulevard, this Metairie eatery serves slow-smoked ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Texas Bar-B-Que also cooks steaks and burgers. Try a smoked potato stuffed with chopped barbecue beef and topped with sauce, cheese and chives. Many barbecue meats are available on a bun or in a po-boy. Non-meat eaters can sample the fried catfish or shrimp as platters or po-boys. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


UGLY DOG SALOON
401 Andrew Higgins Blvd., 569-8459; www.uglydogsaloon.net
Ugly Dog combines barbecue with a sports bar environment complete with pool tables and televised sports. There are sandwiches, burgers and generous platters of barbecue meat that come with sides such as chili beans with sour cream, onions and cheese and the sweet and spicy coleslaw. The juicy pulled pork is slow-cooked shoulder roast brushed with the saloon's tangy sauce. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


VOODOO BBQ & GRILL
1501 St. Charles Ave., 522-4647; www.voodoobbqandgrill.com
Voodoo casts its spell with slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork and ribs, using a special blend of spicy seasonings in its mojo sauce. Side dishes include Rattlesnake Beans, corn pudding, coleslaw, Gris Gris Greens and creamy macaroni and cheese. Voodoo also offers burgers and chicken sandwiches. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


WHOLE HOG CAFÉ
639 Loyola Ave., 525-4044; www.wholehogcafe.com
The Whole Hog approach starts with the belief that everything goes better with barbecue meat and that coleslaw belongs on all sandwiches. Start with the barbecue nachos or get barbecue on top of salads. For entrées, the selection includes pulled pork, brisket, full and half slabs of ribs, pulled chicken meat and half chickens. The Whole Hog Platter rounds up pork, brisket, three beef ribs, baked beans, coleslaw and dinner rolls. A selection of six different barbecue sauces ranging from sweet to tangy to spicy are already on the tables, or head to the counter and ask for the super-hot Volcano sauce. No reservations. Lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $


ZYDECO BBQ AND ROADHOUSE
808 Iberville St., 565-5520; www.zydecobbq.com
Deep South barbecue traditions meet Louisiana Cajun cooking at this offbeat eatery. The St. Louis spare ribs offer pork ribs dry-rubbed with Cajun spices and slow-smoked with hickory and pecan wood. Cochon de lait is brined in marinade, treated to a dry rub of seasonings and smoked. The menu also includes jambalaya, gumbo and salads loaded with barbecued meat. Delivery available in CBD and French Quarter. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $

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