ROCKET CITY BBQ

The Joints

Every Smokehouse

From cinder-block legends to weekend trailers — sorted by overall score.

LawLers Barbecue

Huntsville + Madison (5 locations)

8.7

The Rocket City's most-reviewed smokehouse. Five locations, one consistent pulled pork plate that locals have been ordering for decades.

Order this → Pork plate with two sides

RD's Smokehouse BBQ

Madison (2 locations)

8.5

Madison's quiet powerhouse — a 4.7 average across two locations and a smoked turkey that out-paces some briskets.

Order this → Smoked turkey with mac

Boarhog's Barbeque

Huntsville

8.5

A cult-favorite single location pulling 4.6 stars across more than 1,200 reviews. The bark is the receipt.

Order this → Brisket plate with burnt ends

Salt Smokehouse

Huntsville

8.5

The highest-rated joint on the list — 4.8 stars across 650+ reviews. Small menu, big confidence.

Order this → Brisket flight with pickles

Blue Oak BBQ

Huntsville

8.4

Newer-school smoke with a craft-bar vibe. The brisket sandwich changed a few minds the day it opened.

Order this → Brisket sandwich with pickled onions

Full Moon Bar-B-Que

Huntsville

8.4

Birmingham-born, half-moon cookies on the side, and a chow-chow situation that's worth the trip alone.

Order this → Half-and-half plate, chow-chow on top

Ole Hickory BBQ

Huntsville

8.4

Old-school name, old-school price, modern-day 4.6 stars. The kind of place regulars get protective about.

Order this → Pork plate, extra slaw

New Market BBQ

New Market

8.2

A drive-up-the-county-road kind of place. Hickory smoke, a 4.5 average, and zero fuss.

Order this → Pulled pork sandwich, double meat

Dreamland BBQ

Huntsville

8.2

Tuscaloosa export with cinder-block soul. Ribs, white bread, and a sauce that needs no introduction in Alabama.

Order this → Slab of ribs with white bread

Ted's Bar-B-Q

Five Points + Madison Blvd

8.1

Two locations, a stacked review pile, and a chopped pork sandwich that has fed Huntsville for generations.

Order this → Chopped pork sandwich, slaw on top