Unearth The Voyage
When you think of barbecue, Iowa might not be the first state that comes to mind. But across the Hawkeye State, pitmasters are firing up wood smokers and serving some of the most mouth-watering ribs, brisket, and burnt ends you’ll ever taste. From Des Moines to the Quad Cities, these local favorites have earned their reputation one slow-cooked rack at a time, proving that great BBQ isn’t just a Southern thing.
1. Smokey D’s BBQ – Des Moines
Competition-circuit veterans Darren and Sherry Warth turned their trophy collection into a brick-and-mortar destination that’s been feeding Des Moines since they opened. Their shelves full of awards tell you everything you need to know before you even taste the food. Guy Fieri rolled through for Triple D and fell hard for their ribs and brisket, which remain the stars of every plate.
The burnt ends arrive glistening and tender, with just enough bark to give each bite texture. Giant pit platters feed the whole table, piled high with your choice of meats and classic sides. Regulars know to come hungry because portions here don’t mess around, and neither does the smoke ring on that brisket.
2. Jethro’s BBQ – Des Moines Metro
Walk into any Jethro’s location across the Des Moines metro and you’ll find the same energy: sports on every screen, laughter bouncing off the walls, and platters that could feed a small army. This isn’t your quiet, contemplative BBQ experience. It’s loud, fun, and unapologetically over-the-top, from the Emmenecker challenge sandwich to the Lakehouse spot in Ankeny with water views.
Portions arrive supersized, perfect for sharing or for tackling solo if you’re feeling brave. The chainlet approach means consistency across locations, so your favorite ribs taste the same whether you’re downtown or in the suburbs. Game days pack the place, so plan accordingly if you want a seat.
3. Kue’d Smokehouse – Waukee
Shad and Angie Kirton didn’t just wake up one day and decide to open a restaurant. They earned their stripes on the competitive BBQ circuit, racking up trophies before bringing their talents to Waukee. That pedigree shows in every slice of brisket, which locals consider some of the best in the state.
Creative specials rotate through the menu, keeping regulars on their toes and always coming back to see what’s new. But whatever you order, save room for the mac and cheese because it’s become almost as famous as the meats. The Kirtons run a tight ship, balancing tradition with innovation in ways that honor both the craft and their customers’ appetites.
4. Hickory Park – Ames
For generations of Iowa State students and Ames families, Hickory Park has been the place where celebrations happen and traditions begin. The house-smoked meats anchor a menu that’s fed everyone from toddlers to grandparents, often at the same table. After you’ve worked through ribs and pulled pork, the ice cream parlor beckons with enough flavors to make dessert its own event.
Classic sides round out every plate, sticking to what works rather than chasing trends. The space handles crowds with ease, making it ideal for team dinners, family reunions, or just a Tuesday night when nobody feels like cooking. Bring the whole crew because everyone will find something to love here.
5. Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack – Iowa City
Lines form early at the East Side location on Lower Muscatine Road, where Iowa City locals know the wait is always worth it. Sticky ribs glisten under the lights, falling off the bone before you even pick them up. Pulled pork arrives piled high on soft buns, and the wings have their own devoted following who swear they’re criminally underrated.
The current dine-in spot keeps things casual and focused on what matters: the food. No fancy decor or complicated menus, just straightforward BBQ done right. Students, families, and everyone in between pack the tables, united by their love of smoke and sauce. Cash or card, come hungry or don’t come at all.
6. Willie Ray’s Q Shack – Cedar Rapids
Pitmaster Willie Ray Fairley runs a smoke-driven operation where the meat does all the talking. Brisket and rib tips fly out the door on busy days, often selling out before dinner service even begins. Regulars have learned the hard way that if you want the good stuff, you show up early or risk going home empty-handed.
The menu stays focused rather than sprawling, allowing Fairley to perfect each item instead of spreading himself thin. Every cut gets the time and attention it deserves in the smoker, resulting in bark, tenderness, and flavor that keeps Cedar Rapids coming back. No shortcuts, no microwaves, just wood, smoke, and patience turning tough cuts into something magical.
7. Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ + Brew – Luther
A former gas station in tiny Luther got a second life as a BBQ destination, proving that great food can thrive anywhere if it’s good enough. Central Iowa fans make the drive specifically for the ribs and those jalapeño cheddar links that have become the stuff of legend. The rural setting adds charm, turning a meal into a mini road trip.
The transformation from fuel stop to food stop is complete, with smokers where pumps used to be and picnic tables replacing parking spots. Brew options complement the smoked meats, giving you something cold to cut through all that richness. It’s quirky, unexpected, and exactly the kind of place that makes exploring Iowa worthwhile.
8. Moski’s BBQ – Cascade
Small-town Cascade rallies around Moski’s, where wood-fired pits produce BBQ that draws a fiercely loyal community following. The brisket gets top billing, sliced thick and served with sides that regulars have been raving about for years. But it’s the cornbread that keeps getting shouted out, earning praise in online reviews and dinner-table conversations across town.
Wood smoke perfumes the air outside, advertising what’s cooking long before you step inside. The operation stays true to traditional methods, refusing to rush the process even when lines stretch out the door. Cascade might be small, but Moski’s proves that great BBQ doesn’t need a big city to thrive, just dedication and a hot fire.
9. Blue Barn BBQ – Cedar Falls
All-wood pits define the Blue Barn approach, where Iowa beef brisket gets the slow treatment it deserves. Scratch sides accompany every plate, with the mac and cheese achieving near-celebrity status among Cedar Valley regulars. Nothing comes from a bag or a can here; if it’s on your plate, someone made it from the ground up that day.
The commitment to quality over convenience sets Blue Barn apart in a world of shortcuts and speed. Local beef supports Iowa farmers while delivering superior flavor, and the wood smoke adds layers that gas or electric just can’t match. Your Cedar Valley staple isn’t chasing trends or trying to reinvent BBQ, just honoring it properly with every order.
10. Cindy Lou’s BBQ – Cedar Falls
Just off University Avenue, Cindy Lou’s welcomes families with open arms and plates loaded with brisket, burnt ends, and those cornbread biscuits that have become a signature. The friendly atmosphere makes everyone feel like a regular, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth. Kids eat happily while parents relax, knowing the food is good and the vibe is easy.
Burnt ends arrive perfectly caramelized, with crispy edges and tender centers that practically melt on your tongue. The family setting means no pretense, just honest food served by people who care about your experience. Cedar Falls has options, but locals keep returning here because Cindy Lou’s gets the balance right between quality and comfort.
11. Starbeck’s Smokehouse – Waterloo
A long-running local reputation doesn’t happen by accident. Starbeck’s has been slow-roasting ribs and perfecting house-made sides on Westfield Avenue for years, building a loyal following one plate at a time. The Cedar Valley knows where to go when the craving hits, and Starbeck’s consistently delivers whether you’re dining in or carrying out.
Ribs come off the smoker with meat that pulls clean from the bone, seasoned just right without drowning in sauce. House-made sides mean real ingredients and real effort, not just reheated pre-made stuff. The longevity speaks volumes in a business where restaurants come and go; Starbeck’s stays because they never stopped caring about what lands on your table.
12. Bubbie’s BBQ – Ankeny
Cooked fresh every single day is more than a slogan at Bubbie’s; it’s a promise they keep religiously. Locals praise the brisket and ribs with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for championship teams or favorite bands. Family platters make feeding a crowd easy, piling multiple meats and sides onto one glorious presentation.
Dinner hours vary, so checking the schedule before you head over saves disappointment. When they’re open, though, the food justifies any planning required. Ankeny residents have adopted Bubbie’s as their own, defending it fiercely in BBQ debates and bringing out-of-town guests to prove Iowa knows smoke. Fresh daily means no leftovers, no shortcuts, just meat that hit the pit that morning.
13. Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Q – Des Moines
Since the 1980s, Big Daddy’s has been slinging ribs in the Drake neighborhood, outlasting trends and competition through sheer consistency. Old-school methods produce old-school results: tender meat, tangy sauce, and that capital-city style that Des Moines natives grew up eating. The decades haven’t changed the formula because the formula never needed changing.
Walking in feels like stepping back in time, when BBQ joints were simpler and focused solely on the pit. No fusion experiments or Instagram-worthy presentations, just ribs done the way they’ve always been done here. Generations of Drake students and neighborhood families have made memories over these plates, creating a legacy that extends beyond just the food itself.
14. The House of Q 2 – Sioux City
Small and devoted perfectly describes this Sioux City spot where smoky sandwiches and wings share menu space with the inventive Q-Ritto. The burrito stuffed with BBQ has become a cult favorite, bridging two food worlds in one handheld package. A devoted following keeps the place busy despite its modest size, proving that passion trumps square footage.
Hours can be unpredictable, so checking before you make the trip saves frustration. When they’re open, the kitchen cranks out food with care and attention, never rushing just to move the line. Sioux City locals guard this gem closely, happy to share but also secretly hoping it stays their neighborhood secret. The Q-Ritto alone is worth tracking down their schedule.
15. Smokin’ Butt BBQ – Davenport
Quad-Cities residents flock to Smokin’ Butt for those signature sausage-topped sandwiches that turn an already great thing into something extraordinary. Rib samplers let you taste multiple styles without committing to a full rack, perfect for indecisive diners or groups who want variety. The award-winning mac and cheese has earned its accolades, creamy and rich enough to stand alongside the meats.
Davenport’s BBQ scene benefits from having spots like this that understand their audience and deliver exactly what people want. No pretension, no complicated concepts, just straightforward smoked meats done right. The sausage topping might sound unusual until you try it, then you’ll wonder why more places don’t think outside the traditional BBQ box like this.
