This guide to the Best BBQ in Omaha highlights places locals trust across the city and nearby suburbs. We chose spots for local reputation and reviews, geographic coverage, unique specialties, and consistency that feels newcomer-friendly. Hours can change by season, so always check the website before you go.
Porky Butts BBQ
Website: https://porkybuttsbbq.com/
Address: 15475 Ruggles St, Suite 105, Omaha, NE 68116
Phone: (531) 466-7343
Hours: Tue–Sun 11 am until sold out; Mon closed
Brisket and burnt ends sell out, go early. Easy parking in a small west Omaha center.
Smokin Barrel Craft Barbecue
Website: https://smokinbarrelomaha.com/
Address: 2457 S 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68144
Phone: (402) 598-4855
Hours: Tue–Sat 11 am–8 pm; Sun–Mon closed
Laid-back counter service with rotating specials and reliable sides. Good for quick lunches.
Hartland Bar-B-Que
Website: https://www.hartlandbar-b-que.org/
Address: 5402 NW Radial Hwy, Omaha, NE 68104
Phone: (402) 551-5100
Hours: Mon–Sat 11 am–8 pm; Sun closed
Old-school North Omaha staple. Limited seating, easy in and out, hearty portions.
J’s Smokehouse
Website: https://jsbbqomaha.com/
Address: 4725 S 96th St, Omaha, NE 68127
Phone: (531) 344-7703
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Texas-style bark and rib plates. Usually a lunch and early dinner window, plan ahead.
Boyd & Charlie’s BBQ
Website: https://www.boydandcharlies.com/
Address: 2706 Main St, Elkhorn, NE 68022
Phone: (402) 289-4772
Hours: Mon–Thu 11 am–2 pm, 4:30–8 pm; Fri 11 am–2 pm, 4:30–9 pm; Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun 11 am–8 pm
Cozy small-town vibe in Elkhorn. Street parking right out front, family friendly.
Swine Dining BBQ & Catering — Omaha
Website: https://swinediningbbq.com/
Address: 12120 W Dodge Rd, Omaha, NE 68154
Phone: (402) 991-4744
Hours: Tue–Sat 11 am–8 pm; Mon 11 am–3 pm; Sun closed
Burnt ends on select days, quick access off Dodge. Good for groups.
Swine Dining BBQ & Catering — Bellevue
Website: https://swinediningbbq.com/
Address: 204 E Mission Ave, Bellevue, NE 68005
Phone: (402) 292-7427
Hours: Tue–Sat 11 am–8 pm; Sun–Mon closed
Same menu core in a walkable downtown Bellevue block. Easy street parking.
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que — Bellevue
Website: https://www.famousdaves.com/bellevue
Address: 2015 Pratt Ave, Bellevue, NE 68123
Phone: (402) 934-2300
Hours: Mon–Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun 11 am–8 pm
National chain, steady hours, big dining room. Handy for teams and families.
Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q — Omaha
Website: https://omaha-108thstreet.hogwildpitbbq.com/
Address: 10841 Q St, Omaha, NE 68137
Phone: (402) 597-7427
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Counter-service with value combos. Easy stop near Q Street and I-80.
Rib Shack Smokehouse
Website: https://ribshacksmokehouse.com/
Address: 5921 S 118th Cir, Omaha, NE 68137
Phone: (402) 502-6698
Hours: Tue–Thu 11 am–8 pm; Fri–Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun 11 am–7 pm; Mon closed
Neighborhood spot known for ribs and cornbread. Plenty of lot parking.
Jim’s Rib Haven
Website: https://www.facebook.com/jimsribhavenomaha/
Address: 3801 Ames Ave, Omaha, NE 68111
Phone: (402) 451-8061
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Historic North Omaha name for saucy ribs and rib tips. Takeout moves fast.
The PIT Lounge
Website: https://thepitlounge.com/
Address: 9725 S 96th St, Papillion, NE 68046
Phone: (402) 964-2330
Hours: Tue–Wed 11 am–9 pm; Thu–Fri 11 am–10 pm; Sat 12 pm–10 pm; Sun 12 pm–8 pm; Mon closed
BBQ plates, music nights, and bar seating. Easy parking at Papillion City Centre.
We’ll Smoke U BBQ
Website: http://wellsmokeubbq.com/
Address: 11773 S Highway 6, Ste 6, Gretna, NE 68028
Phone: (402) 932-0022
Hours: Mon–Thu 11 am–7 pm; Fri–Sat 11 am–8 pm; Sun closed
Small dining room, friendly staff, meaty rib dinners. Good stop near Gretna’s main drag.
402 BBQ
Website: https://the402bbq.com/
Address: 3027 S 84th St, Omaha, NE 68124
Phone: (402) 618-8274
Hours: Mon–Sat 11 am–6 pm; Sun closed
Drive-thru BBQ with a food truck pedigree. Quick for commuters, limited evening hours.
Up N Smoke BBQ
Website: https://upnsmoke-bbq.com/
Address: 5508 Fontenelle Blvd, Omaha, NE 68111
Phone: (402) 590-8975
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Food truck and carryout HQ for smoked meats and loaded sides. Check social for pop-ups.
BBQ Brothers Cafe
Website: https://www.bbqbrotherscafe.com/
Address: 1003 S 21st St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Phone: (712) 256-3635
Hours: Tue–Sat 11 am–8 pm; Sun–Mon closed
Laid-back counter spot across the river. Good value platters, easy lot parking.
Boxer Barbeque
Website: https://boxerbbq.com/
Address: 513 S Main St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Phone: (712) 325-4227
Hours: Tue–Thu 11 am–8 pm; Fri–Sat 11 am–9 pm; Sun 11 am–7 pm; Mon closed
Downtown CB smokehouse with a full bar. Great for families and groups.
Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q — Council Bluffs
Website: https://councilbluffs-westbroadway.hogwildpitbbq.com/
Address: 3502 Metro Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Phone: (712) 435-3886
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Fast casual BBQ next to the mall area. Handy for errands and quick lunches.
Parker’s Smokehouse — Ashland
Website: https://www.parkerssmokehouse.com/
Address: 16880 US-6, Ashland, NE 68003
Phone: (402) 944-2040
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Road-trip classic between Omaha and Lincoln. Big menu, easy highway access.
Smoking Jay’s BBQ
Website: https://smokingjaysbbq.toast.site/
Address: 2524 S 13th St, Omaha, NE 68108
Phone: (402) 763-9071
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
South Omaha joint for brisket sandwiches and rib dinners. Casual, quick service.
Wayne’s New Skoo BBQ
Website: https://waynesnewskoobbq.com/
Address: 4865 S 96th St, Omaha, NE 68127
Phone: (402) 932-4212
Hours: Tue–Sat 11 am–6 pm; Sun–Mon closed
Takeout-first spot with generous combos. Parking in front of the strip center.
Just Good Meat
Website: https://www.facebook.com/JustGoodMeatOmaha/
Address: 4422 S 84th St, Omaha, NE 68127
Phone: (402) 339-7474
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Local butcher with smoked meats and hot BBQ meals at lunch. Great for take-home.
Lazy Buffalo BBQ
Website: https://www.lazybuffalobbq.com/
Address: 6118 Military Ave, Omaha, NE 68104
Phone: (402) 212-2010
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Benson-area counter spot, rotating smoked meats and weekly specials. Street parking.
Romance Barbecue at Inner Rail
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Romance-Barbeque-61566872608645/
Address: 1911 S 67th St, Omaha, NE 68106
Phone: (402) 630-0753
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Pop-up BBQ inside Inner Rail, check socials for service days. Walkable food hall setting.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit — West Center
Website: https://www.dickeys.com/locations/nebraska/omaha/w-center
Address: 12241 W Center Rd, Omaha, NE 68144
Phone: (402) 932-0102
Hours: Daily from 11 am; closing times may vary by day
Texas-style chain with online ordering and catering. Easy parking, kid friendly.
Rib Shack Smokehouse Express
Website: https://ribshacksmokehouse.com/
Address: 10841 Q St, Omaha, NE 68137
Phone: (402) 502-6698
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Satellite setup tied to the main location. Good for a quick rib fix on the south side.
Pulled BBQ Omaha
Website: https://pulledbbqomaha.com/
Address: 12020 Anne St, Omaha, NE 68137
Phone: (402) 915-1313
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Food truck and catering outfit with pulled pork bowls and fusion sides. Check the schedule.
Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q — Metro Drive
Website: https://omaha-108thstreet.hogwildpitbbq.com/
Address: 3502 Metro Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Phone: (712) 435-3886
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Quick counter-service near the shopping district. Handy for carryout on busy days.
Sauced by Alfaro
Website: https://www.saucedbyalfaropapillion.com/
Address: 1314 S 119th St, Omaha, NE 68144
Phone: (402) 502-7689
Hours: Hours may change; check the website
Casual spot with smoked meats, wings, and scratch sauces. Easy parking by 120th and Center.
How to choose
- Going at peak times? Aim early lunch or late dinner, many smokehouses sell out daily.
- Parking and access: most are strip-center lots, Aksarben and Benson are more walkable.
- Kid friendly: chains and larger dining rooms are easiest for families.
- Trying brisket or burnt ends? Go earlier in the day for best texture.
- Catering or group trays: order 24–48 hours ahead, especially on weekends.
Neighborhood quick picks
- North Omaha: Hartland Bar-B-Que; Jim’s Rib Haven
- Central/Benson: Lazy Buffalo BBQ; Smoking Jay’s BBQ
- West Omaha/Elkhorn: Porky Butts BBQ; Boyd & Charlie’s BBQ
- South/Millard: Smokin Barrel; J’s Smokehouse; Rib Shack Smokehouse
- Papillion/Gretna: The PIT Lounge; We’ll Smoke U BBQ
- Bellevue: Swine Dining; Famous Dave’s
Hungry to explore more after this Best BBQ in Omaha list? Check out neighborhood guides and other essentials here: https://movetoomaha.com/category/explore/food/ and https://movetoomaha.com/neighborhoods. Welcome to Omaha!
