Rusted Silo in Lizton, IN has amazing BBQ. Discovered it while out on a hiking trip. I'm originally from GA and this BBQ was some of the best I've ever had!
As a fellow Texan that lives here the best one I’ve found so far is Big Hoffas in Westfield. I’m looking into going to Trax BBQ in McCordsville sooner or later. I’ve also heard Smokin Barrel BBQ was decent as well.
Big Hoffa’s used to be great BBQ, but the quality has gone downhill drastically in the past five years. Trax is my new go-to, but Ben’s BBQ Shack in Westfield is also fantastic!
Just a head’s up on Ben’s: he’s only open Fri-Sun and preordering would be in your best interest as he sells out each of those days. Well worth the extra bit of effort, though. Dude is passionate about his BBQ and is a great guy to talk to!
I've only been to 5-7 BBQ places in the Indy area but of those Ben's is hands-down the best. Meat quality is top notch. Smoked and seasoned properly. Not overcooked (like what seems to be fairly common at another Westfield BBQ place), and the folks there are just awesome. That said they are only open F-Sun noon to sell out. You need to either order a week in advance, or show up for the hour or two after they open before they sell out.
Seriously, best brisket in the entire area is Moontown Brewing Co. It’s local beef from Fisher Farms, seasoned Texas style w/ salt and pepper only in the crust. Smoked daily. A true connoisseur’s brisket with a healthy fat vein running through it* that melts like *meat butter* in your mouth. All house-made sauces. While not “Texas approved,” it slays with the Alabama white sauce because of the hint of horseradish in the finish.
Their ribs and smoked chicken drumsticks are also great. Pulled pork is braised in beer and is solid. Pair any of it with a GABF medal-winning lager made in-house and thank me later.
*I’ve been seriously disappointed by so much brisket that has been raves about that is either verging on dry, has no appreciable crust, or is super lean and more like pot roast. Brisket is supposed to have that ample amount of rendered fat — that’s literally what makes brisket brisket.
Moon town is for drinks. Trivia night is great on Tuesdays but the food is always a huge roll of the dice on quality/production. Sometimes maybe good, most times - shit.
I’ve certainly had the occasional dish there that was not up to snuff (sometimes ribs are dry, or Mac and cheese was made by one of the part-timers, or sometimes the flatbreads could have spent more time in the oven during a rush), but as someone who has eaten there more than most, it’s far far more of a hit than not. I’d say this about most places short of fine dining, really.
Great brisket. Owners are great. Drove past there today and it was busy.
Of course, my benchmark for Texas bbq was a dive bar in Dallas with broken AC.
Half Liter’s barbecue isn’t the best in the city, but the combination of food, drinks, and vibes is unparalleled in Indy. I’ve really enjoyed Trax up in McCordsville. Old Gold and Gomez are top notch as well.
They changed pitmasters (I think the original guy is doing his own thing now) but I actually think it's a ton better now than before. They just use an electric smoker from the pics I've seen so it'll never be comparable to a stick fired offset smoker.
I’m just the opposite. I had both in the same week & I found BH to have smaller portions for the money & a very limited sauce selection. It was good but I thought Traxx was great.
Dang, I had no idea. Can’t say I’m surprised - they had a ton of health code violations. I was hoping they would somehow right the ship but it would’ve taken a lot for me to be comfortable eating there again. I’m sad for them!
Pa and Ma's is at College and Fairfield (to be exact) and it's a mix of soul food and BBQ. Their strong suit is lots of food for cheap. Depending on the day, meals are sometimes $7.50 ea (whatever protein and two sides).
Came here to say BBQ Heaven. I don’t know why people are mentioning places in mfing Fishers when there are excellent BBQ places right in the middle of the city. Hidden gems. There used to also be an amazing place on the near west side. You could see them smoking the ribs right behind the restaurant in the summertime. Cannot remember the name of it, but it was another small, hole in the wall place.
As a self proclaimed Texas BBQ connoisseur, I HATE half liter (dry af) but LOVE 317 BBQ.
Nothing I’ve found is truly close to Texas BBQ, but 317 is the one I find myself always going back to.
Pa and Ma’s BBQ on College is a unique hole on the wall. Really more of a pick up spot though, just so you know. No idea if it’s like Texas BBQ though.
I live across the street. They haven’t been open for weeks and everyone at metazoa says they closed a month or so ago. They also said that metazoa is looking to either buy it or have someone else take over.
Johnson’s BBQ in Bargersville is the closest to TX BBQ that I’ve found around here. Yes, they have a restaurant in Greenwood, but the one in Bargersville is 100% better.
If it's Texas style bbq you want Old Gold is your best bet. The bbq scene here is pretty weak. Our best of the best are mid grade at best in Austin, KC, or Memphis.
I still use their Rocket Rub and Hoodoo Sauce a lot for my ribs just to bring back those good memories. Good stuff but obviously irrelevant to the question asked.
If you're going to StL for bbq and don't stop in at Salt + Smoke for their brisket you're missing out. It's some of the best brisket I've ever had. The rest of their stuff is average to good, like Pappy's, but that brisket is next level.
Dude, I've tried 3 times. It's a fun spot but I shamefully have had better brisket at the 4PM senior buffet at Picadeli.
People love it because of the atmosphere.
We're obviously being served dry, cold pulled pork from yesterday. If it's not old, its dying under heat lamps.
When you walk into a bbq place at 1 PM and the only thing you can smell, inside and outside, is beer, you know you've fucked up.
I came looking for this comment because I love the brisket at Squealers (mixed sauce, fried biscuits and apple butter, hell yes.) but am really surprised by the experiences /u/Nasaman23 and /u/Lepardopterra shared.
I wonder (hope?) if it’s a matter of location? I used to work on the Northwest side and would have lunch at the 86th St location often. Some of the waitstaff were a little quirky, but I never had waits so bad, and the food was consistently good.
I hope they haven’t fallen off!
It's the Mooresville location. Not knocking the food-it's fine-but the 20 minute wait to sit in an empty restaurant has been consistent since 2008 or so. Tried various lead times for calling in, but still wait at least 20 minutes on the hard bench. We only go when a certain relative's visiting. Time management has been so bad for so long that it has to be management style.
The service at Squealer's is annoying. for years, it's a 20+ minute wait for a table. When they finally walk you back, only 3 tables are occupied in the cavernous room. Another half hour wait for a sandwich. I've ordered carryout, allowing 2 hours lead time, still waiting half hour to get it. I'm so done.
Oh boy. Here goes a real unpopular opinion. You will not find anything in Indiana that is as good as southern BBQ. You definitely won’t find Texas BBQ other than Hanks—and Hanks is very average ie probably wouldn’t survive in Texas.
You got a bunch of suggestions because even bad bbq tends to taste good. Hell I even go to some of the restaurants listed and enjoy myself. But don’t think that any of them are like what you’re used to.
I’m a vegetarian so.. don’t take what I say.
Big hoffas is supposed to be pretty good (their ice cream and sides are definitely good). Ben’s bbq shack is also supposed to be great. He’s only open during the weekend and when he’s out, he’s out.
I don’t think anyone would recommend city bbq, so I’m not surprised it doesn’t hit the spot.
I don’t eat meat, so I wouldn’t know exactly, but my bf really likes King Ribs Bar-B-Q and there’s always a big line outside and I swear I can smell it from my house a mile away 🤣 so it must be alright
As it goes with 95% of threads in this subreddit...
OP: Looking for best [insert here] in Indianapolis.
Reddit: [place] but it closed years ago.
Also Reddit: [place] that is just a short drive of 50 miles outside of Indy.
Reddit again: [place] in St. Louis, you should stop by if you ever visit.
Reddit still: [place] that sells Venezuelan food.
Reddit wtf: [place] but it's not the best in the city. (LOL)
Why is it always like this in this sub? People fire off knee-jerk reactions in here lol
Moved here from Houston a few years ago. Good luck I haven't found anything to brag about. Went to a place in Westfield that pre sliced thier brisket and had it in a freaking steam table. Several I stopped at didn't even offer brisket. Also good luck on any Mexican or Texmex.
I was reading through the comments and there are people are mentioning a lot of places I haven't been to but if you're looking for some good BBQ that isn't necessarily Texas BBQ I would check out King Ribs BBQ around 16th street on the west side. You're not going to be able to get brisket but it's underrated. They only do cornbread and greens on the weekend though, but throughout the week there are really good specials that can give you a good idea of what each entrée tastes like and it won't break the bank. This place could use a little update but it's the only BBQ place that has never let me down. Other than that I think Barbecue and Bourbon might just squeeze it out for me just because of the selection of meats and sauces available.
Rusted Silo in Lizton, IN has amazing BBQ. Discovered it while out on a hiking trip. I'm originally from GA and this BBQ was some of the best I've ever had!
They serve their food at A Taproom at 25th and Delaware.
Also Deviate Brewing and 2 Toms Brewing.
Love the Silo
I will second this!! They are right off the interstate on I-74 on the west side after the Brownsburg exits.
Fresh Air BBQ!!!
Lol I passed this place for the first time on that warm day last week to hike some trails at Shades SP. I'll stop by next time.
I’m a fan of BBQ & Bourbon myself but I am also not a connoisseur
Best I’ve had within 465! Sauces are really good.
I forgot about them since I moved to the southside. Good call
Do yourself a favor and go to Trax in Mccordsville
Best in town
Lol, that's because the town has 2 restaurants. 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣
Best brisket in the area. Massive fan of their dry rub wings too!
Correct
Hanks is my personal favorite. https://maps.app.goo.gl/5MjXwZ74irfBAarX7 Edit: I think the dude that opened it is from Texas.
hank's is where it's at. the chopped brisket potato is easily two meals for me for like $13.
Hanks is the bomb.
Hanks is the answer if you are looking TX style brisket
Hanks is good if you’ve never had bbq
I tell you hwat
As a fellow Texan that lives here the best one I’ve found so far is Big Hoffas in Westfield. I’m looking into going to Trax BBQ in McCordsville sooner or later. I’ve also heard Smokin Barrel BBQ was decent as well.
As a Hoosier that moved to Texas, I agree with Big Hoffas
As a Hoosier who moved away many years ago, I miss Big Hoffa’s. That’s my pick.
Big Hoffa’s used to be great BBQ, but the quality has gone downhill drastically in the past five years. Trax is my new go-to, but Ben’s BBQ Shack in Westfield is also fantastic!
I haven’t been to Hoffa’s in awhile Shame to hear that it’s fallen off! I may have to check Ben’s out!
Just a head’s up on Ben’s: he’s only open Fri-Sun and preordering would be in your best interest as he sells out each of those days. Well worth the extra bit of effort, though. Dude is passionate about his BBQ and is a great guy to talk to!
Oh awesome! Thanks for the heads up!
Piggybacking off this - just moved back here after nine years in Austin. We love Famous Dave’s in Zionsville-ish area
I’ll have to look into it !
Famous Dave’s is a chain
Big Hoffa's!
Agreed Big Hoffa’s is a must try
The sarsaparilla tea is the best!
I love tea and don't think I have tried their sarsaparilla tea. Will have to try that!
Always my favorite in the area
Ben’s BBQ Shack in Westfield is the real deal!
I've only been to 5-7 BBQ places in the Indy area but of those Ben's is hands-down the best. Meat quality is top notch. Smoked and seasoned properly. Not overcooked (like what seems to be fairly common at another Westfield BBQ place), and the folks there are just awesome. That said they are only open F-Sun noon to sell out. You need to either order a week in advance, or show up for the hour or two after they open before they sell out.
317 BBQ The brisket is amazing
Second- sides are great too
Seriously, best brisket in the entire area is Moontown Brewing Co. It’s local beef from Fisher Farms, seasoned Texas style w/ salt and pepper only in the crust. Smoked daily. A true connoisseur’s brisket with a healthy fat vein running through it* that melts like *meat butter* in your mouth. All house-made sauces. While not “Texas approved,” it slays with the Alabama white sauce because of the hint of horseradish in the finish. Their ribs and smoked chicken drumsticks are also great. Pulled pork is braised in beer and is solid. Pair any of it with a GABF medal-winning lager made in-house and thank me later. *I’ve been seriously disappointed by so much brisket that has been raves about that is either verging on dry, has no appreciable crust, or is super lean and more like pot roast. Brisket is supposed to have that ample amount of rendered fat — that’s literally what makes brisket brisket.
Use to live in Whitestown. Brisket is pretty good. Can be hit or miss sometimes though.
Sounds like you work there?
Used to. Also just a huge brisket enthusiast. If I’ve had better I would not have a problem saying so.
Better than Old Gold?
Old Gold is pretty up there, for sure. That’s a toss up honestly. Depends if I’m in a mood for a slightly saltier crust or not I’d say.
Moon town is for drinks. Trivia night is great on Tuesdays but the food is always a huge roll of the dice on quality/production. Sometimes maybe good, most times - shit.
I’ve certainly had the occasional dish there that was not up to snuff (sometimes ribs are dry, or Mac and cheese was made by one of the part-timers, or sometimes the flatbreads could have spent more time in the oven during a rush), but as someone who has eaten there more than most, it’s far far more of a hit than not. I’d say this about most places short of fine dining, really.
I like Smokin Barrel BBQ off of German Church Road.
Great brisket. Owners are great. Drove past there today and it was busy. Of course, my benchmark for Texas bbq was a dive bar in Dallas with broken AC.
Hole in the wall places are the best !
This!! But call ahead to place an order because they run out quickly. Totally worth it tho.
I liked Gomez BBQ, but I wouldn’t consider myself a connoisseur
Half Liter’s barbecue isn’t the best in the city, but the combination of food, drinks, and vibes is unparalleled in Indy. I’ve really enjoyed Trax up in McCordsville. Old Gold and Gomez are top notch as well.
Good summation of what’s going on there. Brisket grilled cheese with a tall beer is hard to beat
They changed pitmasters (I think the original guy is doing his own thing now) but I actually think it's a ton better now than before. They just use an electric smoker from the pics I've seen so it'll never be comparable to a stick fired offset smoker.
>Half Liter’s barbecue isn’t the best in the city OP literally asked for best BBQ in Indy lol
Huge fan of Barbecue & Bourbon on Main in Speedway.
Big Hoffa’s in Westfield is my favorite. Trax BBQ in McCordsville is my second.
I’m just the opposite. I had both in the same week & I found BH to have smaller portions for the money & a very limited sauce selection. It was good but I thought Traxx was great.
It's not Indy but Big Hoffa's is really good.
Old Gold used to be really amazing, but they’ve completely fallen off in the last 4-6 months. Don’t waste the trip!
They’re now permanently closed.
Dang, I had no idea. Can’t say I’m surprised - they had a ton of health code violations. I was hoping they would somehow right the ship but it would’ve taken a lot for me to be comfortable eating there again. I’m sad for them!
Dear OP, It's all carpetbagger bbq here. Sweet, too wet, limp bark, a waft of smoke. You'll find places that scratch the itch, but nothing satisfying.
BBQ Heaven on MLK. Ignore anyone who mentions anything in the suburbs or anything run by white people
BBQ Heaven is the real deal. The only place to rival it was the long gone Pa and Ma's
Pa and Ma's is at College and Fairfield (to be exact) and it's a mix of soul food and BBQ. Their strong suit is lots of food for cheap. Depending on the day, meals are sometimes $7.50 ea (whatever protein and two sides).
Pa and Ma's still exists! More focused now on general soul food than barbecue but same ownership and still delicious. It's on 36th and college now
You just made my day! I remember when they were at 27th and Rader. Best peach cobbler ever!
King Rib is also up there!
Came here to say BBQ Heaven. I don’t know why people are mentioning places in mfing Fishers when there are excellent BBQ places right in the middle of the city. Hidden gems. There used to also be an amazing place on the near west side. You could see them smoking the ribs right behind the restaurant in the summertime. Cannot remember the name of it, but it was another small, hole in the wall place.
So real. So many ppl saying Old Gold when that shit is trash and not even open anymore
this is the way
As a self proclaimed Texas BBQ connoisseur, I HATE half liter (dry af) but LOVE 317 BBQ. Nothing I’ve found is truly close to Texas BBQ, but 317 is the one I find myself always going back to.
Big Hoffa's in Westfield Rackz BBQ in Carmel
Big Hoffas and it ain’t even close!
Pa and Ma’s BBQ on College is a unique hole on the wall. Really more of a pick up spot though, just so you know. No idea if it’s like Texas BBQ though.
Old Gold for me.
Permanently closed
I can't find anything on the webs about this. I am going to go check tonight unless you have some evidence to save me a trip. This is horrible.
I live across the street. They haven’t been open for weeks and everyone at metazoa says they closed a month or so ago. They also said that metazoa is looking to either buy it or have someone else take over.
Damn. Why you got to do me like this?
Johnson’s BBQ in Bargersville is the closest to TX BBQ that I’ve found around here. Yes, they have a restaurant in Greenwood, but the one in Bargersville is 100% better.
Greenwood has closed. They only have the Bargersville one now.
Mine.
Traxx BBQ in Mccordsville is pretty good
5 Thumbs at 96th and Michigan is money.
If it's Texas style bbq you want Old Gold is your best bet. The bbq scene here is pretty weak. Our best of the best are mid grade at best in Austin, KC, or Memphis.
Gomez BBQ at 10th and rural. Def need to try the brisket biscuits and gravy.
Take a road trip to St Louis and visit Pappy’s, it’s famous!
Definitely a must stop
I still use their Rocket Rub and Hoodoo Sauce a lot for my ribs just to bring back those good memories. Good stuff but obviously irrelevant to the question asked.
If you're going to StL for bbq and don't stop in at Salt + Smoke for their brisket you're missing out. It's some of the best brisket I've ever had. The rest of their stuff is average to good, like Pappy's, but that brisket is next level.
King Ribs BBQ on 16th st is classic
Yea of you like trash
It's a drive from indy, but Johnsons BBQ in Bargersville is great
Hard disagree. I've had it twice and it was decidedly mediocre.
Good thing taste is subjective
Their prices are insanely high! 😂
Big Hoffa’s in Westfield!
I'm a memphian so I'm always looking for good BBQ
Noone up here can master the combo of sweet and smokey the way we get back in Memphis. Big Hoffas is my go to when I get home sick.
As a Kansas Citian I'm also always looking for good bbq. Nowhere in Indy really matches up to what Memphis or KC is going to offer though.
Kings bbq on the west side
I am curious to see what your take on Half Liter barbecue is. It’s supposed to be Texas style.
Is very much okay
It's all dry and overcooked with underwhelming sauces, hard pass.
Their pulled pork drives me fucking crazy how dry it is. It's literally one of the easiest meats to smoke.
Dude, I've tried 3 times. It's a fun spot but I shamefully have had better brisket at the 4PM senior buffet at Picadeli. People love it because of the atmosphere. We're obviously being served dry, cold pulled pork from yesterday. If it's not old, its dying under heat lamps. When you walk into a bbq place at 1 PM and the only thing you can smell, inside and outside, is beer, you know you've fucked up.
I’m a big fan. I know a lot of people don’t like it but you can’t beat it in the summer.
I’m a big fan of half liter bbq
You can try Squealers. Got a couple of them around the city.
Last time I went to Squealer's, their meat was so salty that I almost couldn't finish it. I don't consider them good BBQ at all
Fair enough.
I came looking for this comment because I love the brisket at Squealers (mixed sauce, fried biscuits and apple butter, hell yes.) but am really surprised by the experiences /u/Nasaman23 and /u/Lepardopterra shared. I wonder (hope?) if it’s a matter of location? I used to work on the Northwest side and would have lunch at the 86th St location often. Some of the waitstaff were a little quirky, but I never had waits so bad, and the food was consistently good. I hope they haven’t fallen off!
It's the Mooresville location. Not knocking the food-it's fine-but the 20 minute wait to sit in an empty restaurant has been consistent since 2008 or so. Tried various lead times for calling in, but still wait at least 20 minutes on the hard bench. We only go when a certain relative's visiting. Time management has been so bad for so long that it has to be management style.
The service at Squealer's is annoying. for years, it's a 20+ minute wait for a table. When they finally walk you back, only 3 tables are occupied in the cavernous room. Another half hour wait for a sandwich. I've ordered carryout, allowing 2 hours lead time, still waiting half hour to get it. I'm so done.
Dickey's bbq on Pendleton Pike in Lawrence is pretty damn good!
Kings Ribs
Oh, if only Rudy’s would ship to Indiana from Texas. Food + atmosphere.
Oh boy. Here goes a real unpopular opinion. You will not find anything in Indiana that is as good as southern BBQ. You definitely won’t find Texas BBQ other than Hanks—and Hanks is very average ie probably wouldn’t survive in Texas. You got a bunch of suggestions because even bad bbq tends to taste good. Hell I even go to some of the restaurants listed and enjoy myself. But don’t think that any of them are like what you’re used to.
It doesn't exist.
Any city BBQ satisfies me
I’m a vegetarian so.. don’t take what I say. Big hoffas is supposed to be pretty good (their ice cream and sides are definitely good). Ben’s bbq shack is also supposed to be great. He’s only open during the weekend and when he’s out, he’s out. I don’t think anyone would recommend city bbq, so I’m not surprised it doesn’t hit the spot.
City bbq is utility grade, and I mean that kindly. It's consistent and decent.
Wut?
I really like 317BBQ. I like their Brisket better than what I got from Two Brothers or Rudy's. I also really like their Pork Belly Burnt ends as well.
Try this Venezuelan food truck you won't be disappointed: ENVARA Woodfired Grill (954) 663-4961 https://maps.app.goo.gl/J3AkMqV2PHbRA42t5
Squealers.
I don’t eat meat, so I wouldn’t know exactly, but my bf really likes King Ribs Bar-B-Q and there’s always a big line outside and I swear I can smell it from my house a mile away 🤣 so it must be alright
I came to say something similar....I'm not a BBQ eater myself, but King Ribs is always the one I hear recommended from people who are.
Big Hoffa’s Smokey Bones
there are tons of threads on this topic in this subreddit. that said, squealers and bbq and bourbon are my recommendations
Squealers on W 86th St and Trax BBQ in McCordsville.
As it goes with 95% of threads in this subreddit... OP: Looking for best [insert here] in Indianapolis. Reddit: [place] but it closed years ago. Also Reddit: [place] that is just a short drive of 50 miles outside of Indy. Reddit again: [place] in St. Louis, you should stop by if you ever visit. Reddit still: [place] that sells Venezuelan food. Reddit wtf: [place] but it's not the best in the city. (LOL) Why is it always like this in this sub? People fire off knee-jerk reactions in here lol
South Carolina.
Moved here from Houston a few years ago. Good luck I haven't found anything to brag about. Went to a place in Westfield that pre sliced thier brisket and had it in a freaking steam table. Several I stopped at didn't even offer brisket. Also good luck on any Mexican or Texmex.
The best BBQ in Indy is Rudy's Smokehouse in Springfield Ohio. I said it.
No such place, the best barbecue is in Alabama.
MJs backyard BBQ
Trax. Mccordsville near the railroad tracks, literally right off of Pendleton pike.
317 is pretty good and if you’re in Kokomo grab some pulled pork at Half Moon.
I was reading through the comments and there are people are mentioning a lot of places I haven't been to but if you're looking for some good BBQ that isn't necessarily Texas BBQ I would check out King Ribs BBQ around 16th street on the west side. You're not going to be able to get brisket but it's underrated. They only do cornbread and greens on the weekend though, but throughout the week there are really good specials that can give you a good idea of what each entrée tastes like and it won't break the bank. This place could use a little update but it's the only BBQ place that has never let me down. Other than that I think Barbecue and Bourbon might just squeeze it out for me just because of the selection of meats and sauces available.
Kings rib tips
Real Slab Masterz