We know every St. Louisan has their own favorite barbecue spots, but there’s no harm in trying somewhere new every once in a while – especially during the dog days of summer.
Alex Cupp, chef-owner of The Stellar Hog, recommends three out-of-this-world barbecue spots.
The Stellar Hog, from celebrated chef-owner Alex Cupp, should be on your short list of restaurants to visit; be sure to get an order of pork ribs, which took home first place at last year’s Feast Face-Off barbecue competition. “Barbecue is about patience and attention to detail,” Cupp advises. “Start with quality products, always cook to temp and make sure to let your meat rest as long as possible.” Here, Cupp recommends three St. Louis barbecue spots who are doing it right and dishes on what to order at each.
Bogart’s is a part of the Pappy’s Smokehouse family, which started up in 2008. Bogart’s itself opened in historic Soulard in 2011 and has been churning out high-quality barbecue ever since. “I go here for the ribs,” Cupp says. “I have been a big fan of theirs from day one. The glaze they use is light and fruity and it complements the pork well. I was lucky enough to spend a few days with their pitmasters and this is where I truly caught the barbecue bug.”
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1627 S. 9th St., Soulard, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-621-3107, bogartssmokehouse.com
BEAST Craft BBQ’s menu offerings.
Though BEAST Craft BBQ recently shuttered its location in The Grove, its barbecue is well worth a trip over the river to Illinois. “St. Louis was lucky enough to have BEAST on our side, even though it was short-lived,” Cupp says. “They really pushed the boundaries of barbecue in our town. You can pick just about anything off their menu, but I really dig their kielbasa and pork steaks.”
20 S. Belt W, Belleville, Illinois, 618-257-9000, beastcraftbbq.com
Salt + Smoke’s barbecue and one of its popovers.
Salt + Smoke has a combo that can’t be beat: “Brisket and whiskey! Need I say more?” Cupp says. “I will: Tom and Haley may be the nicest dudes in barbecue. They deserve all the success headed their way.” Plus, it’s one of the few places that does popovers – a light and buttery roll made with an egg batter. “Not too many places do them and even fewer do them properly. I just love classics like that.”
multiple locations, St. Louis, Missouri, saltandsmokebbq.com
