Cross the river into Alton and discover Big Boys Q -- the place to go for pulled pork, wings, and golf at The Woodlands Golf Club. Or go to upper Alton to Lovett’s Soul Food for rib-tips, snoots, or a pork steak sandwich.

Want to enjoy your Midwest barbecue on the patio? We're Outside, located just off Homer Adams Parkway in Alton, has slathered pork steaks, loaded nachos, racks of ribs, chicken wings and sides including chili, baked beans, spaghetti, mac & cheese and loaded salads.

Head south to Wood River and indulge in St. Louis style ribs, brisket, and BBQ tacos at Fire N’ Smoke or stop in Cottage Hills at The Pork Barrel for pork steaks, pulled pork and chicken, or ribs- a tiny but mighty venue that locals swear by.

In Edwardsville, be sure to try Doc’s Smokehouse- voted Best of the Best BBQ in America in 2021 for dishes like pork belly, burnt ends, loaded brisket nachos, and spareribs.

A family favorite, Red Top BBQ of Collinsville specializes in saucy pork steaks, ribs, and snoots and Edley’s Bar-B-Que in Glen Carbon serves mouthwatering burnt ends, brisket tacos, and BBQ chicken.

Going back north, Godfrey is home to barbecue favorites: Carver’s BBQ. Carver's, a local tradition since 1999, serves pulled pork and chicken, house-smoked ribs, and pork steaks, all slathered in house-made sweet or vinaigrette BBQ sauce. They also offer house-made pork rinds and portions by weight for larger gatherings.

For barbecue on the Mississippi, Hawg Pit BBQ has you covered- try the footlong pulled pork hot dog, house-smoked ribs, or BBQ pork steaks while listening to live music by the water! Driving further into Jersey County, Pig on a Wing brings their own take on BBQ to Jerseyville- visitors can’t get enough of the pulled pork slaw grilled cheese or Pig on a Wing pulled pork nachos!

Be sure to stop by Steve's Old Cabin BBQ in Jerseyville for tender and tasty BBQ plates, burgers, brats and delicious sides including potato salad, hash brown casserole, baked beans and mac & cheese.

Did you know? Barbecue’s origins can be traced to Native American culture and the first immigrants. Used as a form of preservation, niche pockets of early America began experimenting with smoked meat. It’s not known who invented the sweet sauce that compliments BBQ so well- but the French were making something similar using mostly butter, meat drippings, and herbs as early as 1693!

Looking for a sauced burger? Sneaky's, once a food truck but now a brick and mortar gem in downtown Edwardsville, serves up specialty Wagyu beef burgers with a wide variety of sauces and toppings. Shine On BBQ food truck, whose home base is Hillsboro, offers BBQ ribeye, brisket, and pulled pork sandwiches- catch them touring the area or maybe at the Flock Food Truck Park in Alton!

Can’t get enough barbecue? Come to the Smokin’ On Main BBQ Festival in Collinsville this year where top restauranteurs will compete for the best dish, spice shops will show off their newest sauces and rubs, and food stands will be cooking up some of the best BBQ in the Midwest! Find information on these savory restaurants and more on Rivers and Routes’ Eat and Drink page!