8 Amazing BBQ Joints To Try In Omaha In 2026

Long known as a steak town, Omaha’s barbecue scene has stepped up its game with some new joints opening, as well as veteran favorites. From Hartland BBQ in Benson to the West Omaha fave Porky Butt’s, pitmasters are really working to outdo one another. The question is no longer, does Omaha have good barbecue, but where should we eat? Here’s a fun look at some of the best local BBQ joints calling the Metro home.

UPDATE: This post was published in 2020. It’s been updated in September 2026 to reflect closures.

Porky Butts

Where: 15475 Ruggles St., Omaha

Blaine Hunter earned his barbecue stripes as a youngster, growing up in the world of Texas pit barbecue. Having competed in more than 130 competitions, Hunter has earned 85 Top 10 finishes, including 22 grand championships. Bringing a championship resume to the Omaha barbecue scene, Porky Butts was an instant hit with Omaha foodies when they opened their doors in 2019.

Your mouth will water as soon as you pull up into the West Omaha eatery’s parking lot. The smell of smoked meat and all the fixings is more than enough to make you want to throw on a bib and go to town on ribs, brisket and pulled pork, among other menu items. A favorite with diners, the rib plate features mouthwatering smoked ribs along with two sides, such as smoked beans, mac and cheese, loaded grits, and more, plus cornbread. 

This past Christmas, my extended family had Porky Butts cater dinner and let me tell you, it was the quietest Christmas dinner ever as everyone dug into the amazing meal.

Rib Shack Smoke House

Where: 10841 Q St., Suite 105, Omaha

Rib Shack Smoke House is in an unassuming strip mall in southwest Omaha, but don’t let the exterior fool you. There’s some serious barbecue going on inside. The barbecue shop started in 2009 in St. Louis, but has now found a home in Omaha. The long journey for the co-owners, Dr. Malcolm Robbin and Dr. Jackie N. Robbins, to Q Street is an inspiring story. Today, Rib Shack is a strong supporter of the community, and notably, home to the city’s first Black female pit master, Robbins.

My family has gotten take-out from Rib Shack a number of times, most recently for my daughter’s 15th birthday (her choice). With the name Rib Shack, ribs are obviously a good choice to order. I’m also a fan of their brisket and potato salad. I don’t often get dessert at barbecue restaurants — I mean, who usually has room for it after ribs??! — but I can safely tell you that you ought to try the peach cobbler here.

Smoking Jay’s BBQ

Where: 2524 S. 13th St., Omaha

Family-owned, Smoking Jay’s has called Omaha home since 2015. Not far from Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Lauritzen Gardens, and downtown Omaha, Smoking Jay’s BBQ thrives on its smoked pork and beef ribs, as well as brisket and gizzards. Enjoy unique sides, such as Jay’s fried potatoes, pan-fried with garlic peppers, onions, and topped with cheddar jack cheese, as well as baked beans, potato salad, and honey corn bread.

You can combine the best of barbecue with Omaha’s love for beef by ordering the Heart Attack Burger, a cheeseburger topped with pulled pork, a slathering of barbecue sauce, and homemade onion rings. Check out their smoked chicken wings as an appetizer. 

Hartland Bar-b-Que

Where: 5402 NW Radial Highway, Omaha

One of Omaha’s older barbecue joints, Hartland Bar-b-Que is a Benson staple. Located in a small building, Hartland BBQ is known for its smoked ribs. Its barbecue sauce is tangy without a lot of sweetness. It’s been a long-time favorite of my family’s.

It’s been a family favorite for a few years, and continues to be one of the go-to barbecue restaurants in the Metro. Joining the ribs are pork, brisket, and sausage, which can be enjoyed as part of a two-meat dinner. Sides include baked beans, coleslaw, and creamy cucumber salad.  

Swine Dining BBQ

Where: 204 E. Mission Ave., Bellevue, Neb., and 12120 W. Dodge St., Omaha

Taking over an award-winning barbecue restaurant, a group of friends decided it would be fun to own their own restaurant. With the original Swine Dining BBQ location on Mission Avenue, they serve up excellent barbecue, including smoked ribs and chicken, as well as sandwiches such as pulled pork, brisket, and smoked sausage.

Try their All in the Pool sandwich, consisting of pulled pork, smoked sausage, and brisket. Add a side of smoked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, and corn of the day – corn mixed with peppers, onion, and sausage or cream corn with jalapeno – and you’re set for a delicious BBQ outing. With the success of the Bellevue location, Swine Dining opened a second location near 120th and Dodge. 

Boyd and Charlie’s

Where: 2706 Main St., Elkhorn, Neb.

Open for more than 15 years, Boyd and Charlie’s has been a stalwart in charming Olde Towne Elkhorn. Serving up barbecue that keeps people coming back, the family-owned restaurant features a tasty menu, including chopped pork, hickory-smoked sausage, mesquite-smoked ribs, brisket, and honey-smoked turkey.

You can also grab an order of burnt ends, as well as sandwiches with all the smoked favorites, including homemade chicken salad. With sides such as beans featuring smoked meat and sauce, corn casserole, and creamy coleslaw, you’re set for a great meal.

Jim’s Rib Haven

Where: 3801 Ames Ave., Omaha

A North Omaha staple since 1967, Jim’s Rib Haven has been a local favorite for great barbecue. Fans can enjoy beef ribs, spare ribs, and rib tips among other favorites, such as link sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, and the ultimate sandwich combo of beef, pork, and turkey. Jim’s serves the standard sides, including baked beans and coleslaw. Try an appetizer, such as poppers, saucy fries, or chili fries.

Boxer Barbecue

Where: 513 S. Main St., Council Bluffs, Iowa

When you’ve been in business for nearly two decades, you must be doing something right. At Boxer Barbecue in Council Bluffs, that involves making everything from scratch. From BBQ nachos as an appetizer to barbecue spare ribs, baby back ribs, and pork shanks, you’re in for a real down-home treat when you visit Boxer Barbecue.

Combine any of their meats in a two- or three-meat combination plate and add two delicious sides. The sides seemingly could be a meal themselves, with the baked beans including an ample serving of pork, Carolina-style creamy coleslaw, and potato salad that starts with a creamy sour cream base and adds skin-on red potatoes and smoky bacon.

Omaha may not be Kansas City when it comes to barbecue, but our culinary landscape has improved with some new BBQ joints joining the veterans. So, tie on a bib or bring plenty of hand wipes, because you’ll want to get messy enjoying some Omaha barbecue.

Locals’ favorite barbecue in Omaha

I polled readers recently on which is their preferred barbecue joint in the Omaha area and the results were not too surprising given this list:

• Porky Butts was the run-away winner.
• Tied for second were Hartland Bar-B-Que, Jim’s Rib Haven, and Tired Texan (Update: Now closed).
• In third was We’ll Smoke You Barbecue in Gretna.

If you know of a great barbecue restaurant in the Omaha area that wasn’t mentioned in this post, please leave a comment and let all of us know about it!