South Dakota BBQ

Top 10 Best BBQ Restaurants in South Dakota

A curated ranking of the top bbq spots in South Dakota, based on reputation, consistency, and standout local appeal.

South Dakota may not have the barbecue history of Texas, Tennessee, or the Carolinas, but the state has developed a strong collection of independent smokehouses, chef-driven restaurants, roadside barbecue counters, and locally owned roadhouses. Across the state, diners can find Texas-influenced brisket in the Black Hills, competition-style ribs in Pierre, house-made sausages in Sioux Falls, and slow-smoked pork in small communities along Interstate 90. This Discovery Matt Food Map ranking highlights South Dakota barbecue restaurants that stand out for smoked-meat quality, consistency, signature preparations, local reputation, atmosphere, and geographic reach.

1
Holy Sm(oaks) Craft BBQ
Rapid City
Holy Sm(oaks) Craft BBQ takes the top spot with one of South Dakota’s most polished and ambitious approaches to smoked meat. The restaurant combines traditional barbecue methods with chef-driven presentations, locally sourced beef, creative sandwiches, house specialties, and thoughtfully prepared sides. Its brisket, ribs, sausages, and elevated downtown setting make it the strongest overall choice for No. 1.
Known for: Smoked brisket, locally sourced beef, house-made sausages, chef-inspired barbecue
2
J.R.’s Rhodehouse BBQ Pit
Summerset
J.R.’s Rhodehouse BBQ Pit is one of western South Dakota’s most established destinations for straightforward pit barbecue. The menu centers on brisket, pulled pork, turkey, pork ribs, hot links, and rotating smoked specialties served until the day’s supply runs out. Its substantial portions, rustic atmosphere, and strong local following make it an essential stop near the Black Hills.
Known for: Beef brisket, pork ribs, smoked turkey, hot links
3
Bunky’s BBQ
Spearfish
Bunky’s BBQ gives Spearfish a small, locally rooted smokehouse focused on traditional hardwood-smoked meats. Brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked turkey, and familiar barbecue sides form the foundation of the menu. Limited operating days and a tendency to sell through popular items make planning ahead part of the experience.
Known for: Hardwood-smoked brisket, pork ribs, smoked turkey, traditional sides
4
Richie Z’s Brickhouse BBQ & Grill
Pierre
Richie Z’s Brickhouse BBQ & Grill provides South Dakota’s capital with a dedicated barbecue destination. Its smoked-meat selection includes brisket, pork, chicken, and ribs prepared in-house, along with burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and comforting sides. The downtown setting, competition-barbecue background, and full-service atmosphere make it one of central South Dakota’s strongest options.
Known for: Smoked brisket, competition-style ribs, pulled pork, downtown Pierre setting
5
The Smoking Mule
Chamberlain
The Smoking Mule is a popular Chamberlain stop for smoke-forward comfort food near the Missouri River. Its menu combines barbecue and roadhouse cooking, with smoked meats, hearty sandwiches, smoked macaroni and cheese, and substantial entrées. The convenient Interstate 90 location and relaxed atmosphere make it a destination for both local diners and cross-state travelers.
Known for: Smoked meats, smoked macaroni and cheese, hearty sandwiches, Missouri River setting
6
Squealer’s Smoke Shack
Tea
Squealer’s Smoke Shack is a family-oriented barbecue restaurant just outside Sioux Falls. Its kitchen focuses on fully smoked brisket, pork, ribs, and chicken supported by house-made sauces and sides. The spacious dining room, patios, rooftop bar, and approachable menu make it one of southeastern South Dakota’s most complete barbecue experiences.
Known for: Smoked brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, homemade sauces and sides
7
Look’s Marketplace
Sioux Falls
Look’s Marketplace approaches barbecue through the perspective of a longtime butcher shop and specialty-food market. The property combines a butcher counter, bakery, deli, restaurant, and brewery, allowing its kitchen to build dishes around carefully sourced meat and house-made products. Smoked meats and sausages are especially natural highlights given the business’s deep butchering tradition.
Known for: House-made sausages, butcher-driven cooking, smoked meats, specialty-market experience
8
Big J’s Roadhouse
Humboldt
Big J’s Roadhouse serves substantial barbecue in a casual small-town roadhouse setting. Its brisket is smoked for hours before being sliced, while pork shoulder, spare ribs, chicken, and smoked wings round out the core barbecue offerings. Combination platters and large family meals make it particularly well suited for groups wanting to sample several meats.
Known for: Slow-smoked brisket, pork shoulder, spare ribs, family barbecue platters
9
The Chute Rooster
Hill City
The Chute Rooster represents the livelier honky-tonk side of Black Hills dining. Although its menu extends beyond traditional barbecue, smoked wings and other smoke-forward comfort foods have helped establish it as a popular gathering place in Hill City. Live entertainment, cold drinks, and a historic Western atmosphere make the setting a major part of the experience.
Known for: Smoked wings, spicy wing challenge, live music, Black Hills honky-tonk atmosphere
10
Firehouse Brewing Company
Rapid City
Firehouse Brewing Company rounds out the ranking with a barbecue menu served inside Rapid City’s historic original fire station. Its Fire Pit BBQ selection includes house-smoked pork ribs, chopped pork, combination platters, and classic sides paired with beers brewed on the property. The landmark setting and broad menu make it an accessible downtown option for barbecue, drinks, and live entertainment.
Known for: House-smoked pork ribs, chopped pork, craft beer, historic firehouse setting

How this ranking was built

Discovery Matt Food Map rankings are curated using a mix of smoked-meat quality, tenderness, bark, seasoning, consistency, signature preparations, sides, local reputation, atmosphere, and geographic spread. For this South Dakota barbecue ranking, extra weight was given to businesses where smoked meats are central to the restaurant’s identity rather than an occasional menu special. Holy Sm(oaks) earned the No. 1 position for combining high-quality brisket and traditional smoking methods with a more creative, chef-driven approach. J.R.’s and Bunky’s ranked highly for their dedication to straightforward pit barbecue and strong reputations throughout western South Dakota. The Black Hills received several representatives because the region contains the state’s deepest concentration of recognized barbecue restaurants. Pierre, Chamberlain, Tea, Sioux Falls, and Humboldt were included to provide representation across central and eastern South Dakota. Large national barbecue chains were excluded. Small, locally owned South Dakota businesses with a limited number of locations remained eligible when their food and community identity were still closely tied to the state.

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