Far from the heartlands of traditional American barbecue, the last decade has seen Portland become home to an expanding multitude of exciting restaurants and carts dishing out racks of ribs that fall off the bone, slabs of smoky brisket, juicy sausages, and pulled pork tossed in a smattering of sweet, spicy, and tangy sauces. It’s even made headlines in Texas, where Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn said Portland is home to some of the best Texas BBQ outside of Texas. Here, we nail down a list of the best spots in Portland where locals and Southern ex-pats are doing the most, from smoking peppery beef ribs to slathering savory vegan sauces on seitan. BBQ-curious? Dive in hands first , and don’t hesitate to ask for extra napkins.
As always, this list is organized geographically and unranked. For a look at Portland’s equally dynamic Korean barbecue scene, find highlights here.
Note: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
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