It’s not hard to find good barbecue in Berks County. From roadside trailers to sit-down restaurants, you’ll find delicious pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs, chickens and more at these Berks County BBQ spots.
Stampede Barbecue
Morgantown
If we’re talking about straight-up barbecue joints, Stampede Barbecue is my favorite in Berks County. The large wooden building near Plowville feels like a barbecue place. And they do all the meats – ribs, pork, brisket, chicken, turkey, sausage – and they do all of them well. I am a big fan of the Aimee – smoked chicken with spicy sauce and honey. Also, don’t skip the hush puppies on the side.
Hillbilly BBQ
Douglassville
Hillbilly BBQ is the classic roadside BBQ trailer. I used to love driving up to the Muddy’s trailer along Pricetown Road. Parking in the gravel parking lot of Hillbilly BBQ gives me the same feeling. You just know the BBQ is going to be good before you even taste it. And then it’s everything you hoped for and more.
Backwoods Brothers Authentic Texas Cuisine
Hamburg
Texas-style barbecue at its best, Backwoods Brothers serves excellent ‘cue from their space in downtown Hamburg. The go-to here has to be the brisket, but don’t sleep on their smoked sausage.
Heart & Hearth Deli & Smokehouse
Kutztown
When Heart & Hearth arrived in Kutztown, it was with a stand at the Renninger’s market. That’s where I first discovered them back in 2023. Today, they have a spot right on Main Street where they are serving unique barbecue dishes like the heatloaf sandwich, a meatloaf blend of beef, pork and jalapenos, as well as more traditional pork, brisket and sausage with sweet and spicy sauces.
The Messy Pig
Womelsdorf
A mobile business first, the Messy Pig can be found at pop-ups and events across Berks and Schuylkill Counties. They have excellent pulled pork and brisket, along with a wide range of topping options and a table full of sauces. They also open their store in Womelsdorf on select dates – just be sure to pre-order before they run out.
Plum Creek Farm & Market
Bernville
While I enjoy Plum Creek’s pulled pork, it’s the pit beef that puts Plum Creek on this list. While it’s not too dissimilar to brisket, the pit beef is pulled and more tender. And Plum Creek’s sweet sauce just works with it. Get it with or without cheese, or try it on the Bernville special (a bed of fries topped with pit beef and cheese sauce).
Austin’s
West Lawn
No, Austin’s is not a BBQ joint. But, I absolutely love Austin’s ribs. They are fall-off-the-bone tender and smothered in a deliciously sweet barbecue sauce. Austin’s also does a good pulled pork – both as an entree and a sandwich – with hearty portions.
Station House Grille
Temple
The unassuming white building along Tuckerton Road has some of the best pulled pork around. Located in a converted house, Station House Grille is a small shop with big flavor. Their pulled pork taco sliders – with their delicious coleslaw – are a staple at food events across the county, but you’ll also find shredded beef and shredded chicken on the menu.
K’Town Pub
Kutztown
When I was in college, the K’Town Pub wasn’t much to speak of. But now, they’re known for their barbecue. I enjoy the pork and brisket – you can also get the brisket on a cheesesteak – with the apple butter barbecue sauce. The Pub also offers a spicy sauce, Carolina vinegar sauce, Alabama white sauce and a tangy KC sauce.
Are we missing some great BBQ? Let us know in the comments below or by emailing zach@berkscountyeats.com.
