Barbecue, also known as BBQ, has become a quintessential part of American cuisine and culture. The aroma of smoked meat cooking slowly over an open flame is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But as BBQ’s popularity has exploded, more and more options for where to buy quality barbecue equipment, ingredients, and full meals have cropped up. This definitive guide covers everything you need to know about the best places to purchase authentic barbecue.
BBQ Equipment Stores
Outfitting your backyard, patio, or grill station with the right hardware is the first step to BBQ mastery. Specialty retailers offer a wide selection of grills, smokers, accessories, and more.
Big Box Retailers
Home improvement warehouses like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer a solid array of grills and smokers at affordable prices. Brands carried include:
- Weber
- Char-Broil
- Dyna-Glo
- Masterbuilt
While selection is more limited than specialty stores, big box retailers are a convenient option for one-stop shopping. Stores are ubiquitous, and you can often score a bargain.
Pro Tip: Check for floor models and clearance items for even better deals.
Specialty Grill Stores
For the hardcore barbecue enthusiast, specialty retailers like BBQ Guys and Smokey Mountain BBQ carry professional-grade equipment. Offerings include:
- High-end brands like Traeger, Memphis Grills, Yoder, and Big Green Egg
- Built-in grills and smokers
- Next-level accessories like temperature controllers and rotisseries
- Premium smoker pellets, rubs, and sauces
Though pricier, products are top-notch. You’ll also benefit from knowledgeable staff that can guide you to the perfect cooker for your needs. Many locations feature demo areas to test products first-hand.
Pro Tip: Sign up for email lists to receive notice of sales and special offers.
Online
The internet hosts a wealth of barbecue equipment retailers. Giants like Amazon and Walmart offer free shipping and competitive pricing. Or browse independent sites like SmokyMountainBBQ.com that specialize in smokers.
Benefits of online shopping include:
- Huge selection of grills, smokers, parts, and accessories
- Ability to easily compare prices between retailers
- Convenience of shopping from home
- Potentially discounted prices compared to brick and mortar stores
Just be aware that you can’t see and touch products first-hand. Be sure to read reviews before purchasing.
Pro Tip: Look for free shipping thresholds and combos where accessories ship free with grill purchase.
Butcher Shops
Once your BBQ rig is ready, it’s time to stock up on high-quality cuts of meat. A local butcher shop is a prime source for humanely raised proteins. Benefits include:
Knowledgeable Butchers
Butchers are experts in all things meat. They can recommend the perfect brisket flat or pork shoulder based on your cooking plans. Ask questions and benefit from their hands-on experience.
Custom Cutting
Want a 2-inch ribeye or 3-pound chuck roast? Butler shops will cut portions to your exact specifications. You select the thickness, shape and amount.
Quality & Selection
Local butchers work directly with farms and ranches. They source exceptional meats like prime steaks, heritage pork, and Wagyu beef. You’ll find cuts not available at the grocery store.
Freshness
Meat from the butcher counter is fresher. Product turns over faster since their customer base is smaller than large supermarket chains.
For the best experience, find a butcher that does in-house processing for true farm-to-table quality. Or look for one with relationships with top purveyors.
Pro Tip: Ask when they get deliveries in for the freshest cuts.
Warehouse Clubs
For bargain buys in bulk, head to warehouse retailers like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Benefits include:
Bulk Buying
Warehouse clubs allow you to buy large quantities of meat at once. Think an entire brisket flat or giant pack of pork ribs. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.
Discounted Prices
The warehouse model offers low prices when you buy in quantity. Per-pound prices are significantly cheaper than traditional supermarkets.
Prime Grades
Clubs often stock harder-to-find prime steak grades. Take your grilling game up a notch with Prime ribeyes and New York strips.
House Brand Quality
Kirkland and Member’s Mark house brands offer quality comparable to name brands. Try their bacon, sausages, and preformed burger patties.
The tradeoff is you must buy larger sizes than you may need. And selection is more limited than a butcher shop. Visit often for the best deals and variety.
Pro Tip: Look for manager markdowns on meat nearing its sell-by date for the biggest discounts.
Online Butcher Shops
For home delivery of quality meats, order from online specialty butchers like Porter Road, Snake River Farms, or Crowd Cow. Benefits include:
Convenience
No need to leave home. Products are delivered direct to your doorstep.
Buy Individual Cuts
Order exactly what you want without the large case packs from warehouse stores.
Curated Offerings
Companies showcase hand-selected, premium beef, pork, and poultry options. Discover new and unique products.
Product Information
Learn about sustainably raised heritage breeds to small farm purveyors. More transparency than supermarkets.
Order early to hit cut off dates. Factor in shipping costs on smaller purchases. And if you need meat fast, allow enough time for delivery.
Pro Tip: Look for free shipping thresholds and sign up for subscription orders to save.
Grocery Store Meat Counters
The local supermarket is a convenient spot to grab barbecue staples like ribs, chops, and ground beef for burgers.
One-Stop Shopping
Grab charcoal, sauces, foil pans, and anything else you need for a cookout along with meat.
Familiar Cuts
Grocery store counters stick to traditional offerings like tri-tip, chicken drumsticks, and baby back ribs.
National Brands
Choose entrees from brands like Tyson and Johnsonville you already know and love.
Regular Sales
Look for bargain buys when common cuts like ground chuck go on sale weekly.
That said, the quality won’t be as high as a dedicated butcher shop. And unique or custom cuts are unlikely. For basic backyard grilling, supermarkets get the job done.
Pro Tip: Check for manager markdowns up to 50% off on meat nearing its expiration date.
Barbecue Restaurants & Food Trucks
What could be easier than picking up barbecue fully prepped and ready to eat? The barbecue boom has resulted in an endless array of restaurants and food trucks dishing out piping hot, finger-lickin’ good BBQ.
Regional Barbecue Styles
Try authentic wood smoked brisket from a Texas-style joint. Or tangy pulled pork sandwiches from a classic Carolina barbecue spot. Experience pitmasters turning out delicious local flavors.
Signature Sides
Complete the meal with classic barbecue accompaniments like mac and cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, and corn bread.
To-Go Options
Call ahead for takeout, or visit a food truck for grab-and-go service. Ideal for tailgating or a backyard cookout.
Bulk Orders
Many restaurants offer party packs or catering trays perfect for feeding a crowd. Take the labor out of your next gathering.
Just be aware that BBQ quality can vary greatly between restaurants. Be sure to read reviews and inspect meat, sides, and sauces before purchasing.
Pro Tip: Ask for samples of meats and sauces before ordering large quantities to go.
Butcher Shops, Markets & Delis of Where to Buy BBQ
When you are looking for the perfect cuts of meat for your next barbecue, butcher shops, markets, and delis are prime places to find high-quality proteins. Here are some of the top places where to buy BBQ meats in the United States:
Top Butcher Shops
- The Meat Hook – Brooklyn, NY – Grass-fed beef, heritage pork, house-made sausages
- Olson’s Smokey Meats – Los Angeles, CA – Specializing in smoked tri-tip and brisket
- The Butcher’s Market – Nashville, TN – Dry-aged steaks, custom-cut pork for smoking
- Pinkney’s Butcher Shop – Charleston, SC – Andouille sausage, bone-in Boston butts
Favorite Markets
- Pike Place Market – Seattle, WA – DIY BBQ boxes with steak, ribs, chicken
- Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia, PA – Smoked kielbasa, thick-cut bacon, scrapple
- West Side Market – Cleveland, OH – Fresh kielbasa, ham hocks, pork belly
- Eastern Market – Detroit, MI – Grassy lamb, high-quality Angus beef
Top Deli Finds
- Katz’s Delicatessen – New York, NY – Smoked brisket, pastrami, salami, knockwurst
- The Wagshal’s Deli – Washington D.C. – Dry-cured salamis, pickled tongue
- Neil’s Meats & Potatoes – Austin, TX – Jalapeno cheese sausages, cased meats
- Clark’s Ole Time BBQ Deli – Los Angeles, CA – House-smoked tri-tip, wings, links
Where to Buy Quality Cuts Like Brisket, Ribs, and Pulled Pork for Smoking or Grilling?
When preparing barbecue at home, the quality of the meat makes all the difference. Here are some of the top places to source cuts like brisket, ribs, and pork butt:
Brisket
- Butcher shops and delis – Ask for untrimmed full packer briskets around 12-15 lbs for best results
- Warehouse clubs – Look for prime-graded whole briskets from major beef providers like Creekstone Farms
- Online butchers – Order prime-graded certified Angus briskets like those from Snake River Farms
Pork Ribs
- Warehouse clubs – Buy large racks of baby back or St. Louis ribs
- Butcher counters – Ask for extra meaty, bone-in pork loin ribs
- Asian markets – Source additional rib styles like Korean-cut or riblets
Pulled Pork
- Grocery stores – Pick up an 8-10 lb bone-in pork butt or shoulder
- Butcher shops – Choose heritage breed options like Duroc, Berkshire, or Mangalitsa
- Online – Order pre-rubbed and pre-injected butt roasts for added flavor
The key is finding trusted sources of high-quality pork and beef. Seek out prime cuts with good marbling and fat caps. Heritage pork delivers richer flavor.
How to Get the Most Value from Different Where to Buy BBQ Sources
To maximize your barbecue investment, follow these tips when purchasing meat:
Warehouse Clubs
- Buy big 15+ lb packer-trimmed briskets to get best per-lb pricing
- Look for prime or upper choice grade steaks in club packs
- Purchase giant pork butts, whole racks of ribs, and combo packs
Butcher Shops
- Ask when new deliveries arrive to get freshest cuts
- Request custom 1⁄2 inch ribeye steaks and 2″ pork chops
- Have meat ground or burger patties formed in-house
Online Butchers
- Order free-range heritage breed meats unavailable locally
- Compare prices between different online purveyors
- Use coupon codes and look for discounts on first orders
Grocery Stores
- Check weekly ads and load up on sale items
- Shop manager markdowns on meat nearing sell-by dates
- Buy thin-cut meats for flash grilling like skirt or flank steak
Restaurants/Food Trucks
- Call ahead for catering trays when feeding big groups
- Only buy what you need to avoid waste
- Try samples before purchasing large takeout orders
Getting your money’s worth starts with buying quality meat. Then take advantage of bulk pricing, sales, and markdowns to maximize savings on quantities.
Commonly Asked Questions About Where to Buy BBQ (FAQ)
Buying quality barbecue ingredients, prepared foods, and supplies might seem intimidating. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Where is the best place to buy brisket?
For authentic Texas-style barbecue, you want a full packer-trimmed brisket around 12-15 lbs. Check local butcher shops, BBQ restaurants, warehouse clubs, and online mail order for quality prime-grade briskets.
What’s the best place to buy ribs?
For flavor and tenderness, choose quality pork loin back ribs or St. Louis cut spare ribs. Look for meaty ribs between 2.5-3 lbs per rack. Good barbecue restaurants, butcher shops, warehouse clubs, and specialty online retailers offer excellent ribs.
What is the most affordable place to buy pulled pork?
For cost savings, buy a full 8-10 lb bone-in pork butt or shoulder at warehouse clubs, grocery stores, or online. Look for bargains per pound when buying in bulk.
Where can I get custom or specialty BBQ cuts?
Visit a local butcher shop to request special services like custom trimming, thickness slicing, or in-house grinding. Or order premium specialty cuts online from ranches and purveyors.
What’s the difference between store brands and butcher shop meats?
Grocery store brands offer convenience and affordable pricing but lack the quality, customization, and expertise you’ll find at dedicated butcher shops and meat markets.
How soon before my cookout should I buy meat?
For peak freshness and food safety, purchase refrigerated meat as close to your barbecue date as possible. Allow at least 1-2 days for thawing if frozen. Buy non-perishable supplies further in advance.
Can I return unused meat after my barbecue?
Most retailers do not accept returns on fresh meat or seafood. Make sure to buy only what you will use within the safe timeframe after purchasing.
Conclusion
The first step to incredible barbecue is sourcing top-notch ingredients. Whether you prefer cooking with charcoal, wood, or gas, quality pork, beef, chicken, and more makes all the difference. From budget bulk buys to premium specialty service, this definitive guide offers inside tips for where to buy BBQ supplies based on your needs. Follow our advice to become a barbecue pitmaster!