The BBQ Map
Best BBQ in Montana
Montana may not be the first state that comes to mind for barbecue, but its smokehouses hold their own — from family-run institutions to ambitious newcomers putting a local spin on smoked meat. Here are 3 of the best BBQ restaurants Montana has to offer, hand-picked and mapped for easy planning.
Montana doesn't have one single barbecue tradition tied to its name the way Texas or the Carolinas do. Instead, the state's smokehouses tend to draw on the country's major regional styles — Texas brisket, Kansas City's sweet tomato sauce, Carolina-style pulled pork, Memphis ribs — filtered through whatever the local pitmaster grew up eating or trained on. That makes Montana's BBQ scene more of a patchwork than a single style, but the best spots still smoke low and slow over real wood, the same as anywhere else.
3 restaurants mapped & rated 🔥 View on Interactive MapFounded by a Pappy's Smokehouse protégé, Notorious P.I.G. brings St. Louis-caliber ribs and smoked turkey to Montana in massive portions with incredible sauces.
Southern BBQ and house-brewed beer collide just outside Bozeman. Burnt ends, BBQ platters, and a broccoli sultana salad that surprises everyone make this a Montana favorite — travelers from the South passing through swear it rivals barbecue back home.
West Yellowstone's original Southern BBQ joint, smoking brisket, pulled pork, ribs, turkey, and custom sausage daily since 1999 over proprietary hardwood shipped 1,500 miles. Twelve local Montana brews on tap make this the perfect stop before or after a day in Yellowstone National Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best BBQ restaurant in Montana?
Based on Google ratings, The Notorious P.I.G. BBQ in Missoula is the top-rated BBQ restaurant we've mapped in Montana, currently holding a 4.7-star average. That said, "best" is personal — check the full list above and look at what each spot specializes in before deciding.
Does Montana have its own barbecue style?
Not a single defined one — Montana isn't typically grouped with the major regional BBQ traditions (Texas, Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City). Its smokehouses tend to blend those established styles rather than follow one regional standard.
How many BBQ restaurants are on The BBQ Map in Montana?
We currently have 3 BBQ restaurants mapped in Montana, each with a real Google rating, address, and description. We add and verify new spots regularly.
How do you choose which restaurants make the list?
We look at real Google ratings, review volume, and reputation — prioritizing restaurants with strong, consistent feedback over a large number of reviews rather than a handful of five-star outliers. We also remove restaurants that have permanently closed or relocated as soon as we confirm it.