For non-highfalutin Ballard bbq, Boar's Nest is really good. I love their pulled pork with their house made Carolina mustard sauce ... Now I'm totally craving some bbq ....

I just spent a week in Kansas City trying every world-class BBQ joint the city had to offer.

Regarding Seattle, for me the only place that is in the same league as the kings of K.C. is the Armadillo BBQ in Duvall.

@1 and 2,

Thirded. For my money, Boar's Nest is the best barbecue in the city. (Which, given the lackluster offerings around here, feels like damning with faint praise, but what can you do?)

Boar's Nest is quite good.

Bourbon and Bones once tried to sell me a half rack of ribs for $50.

How are Pecos Pit and Hole in the Wall not on that list?

Pecos Pecos Pecos!

Just confirmed that Cave Man in Kent is back and open for business (after a fire).

The General also serves up a delicious pound of ribs, if you want to play Frank Underwood to their Freddy Hayes.

The best BBQ is actually at my house. I've eaten at many establishments in and around Seattle and nothing holds a candle. I hope that he gets the capital to open his own joint at some point because the general public deserves to consume it.

The Barbecue Pit really does have superior ribs. They have a nice sweet smoke that is less harsh than others, but still assertive. Maybe because his firebox is further from his meat than most smokers? Anyway, the meat isn't mushy or slimy like many do them. Ribs should be "pull off the bone" not "fall off the bone". My only critique is that I don't love his sauce. Ask for it on the side, then make up your own mind.

Bitteroot has a great non-divey atmosphere, nice enough that you could actually take a date there. Avoid their ribs. Dried out, and not meaty enough. But they make up for the ribs with superior brisket and really good sides.

I'm hopeful that Jack's BBQ will blow them all out of the water:

http://www.king5.com/news/technology/Tec…

MAXIMUS MINIMUS IS NOT BBQ!!

If you go to their truck, they will tell you that they do not have BBQ. They admit that in interviews with the media: http://www.pbs.org/food/features/food-tr…

Its tasty. It's got BBQ sauce. It ain't BBQ.

Mike's BBQ in White Center.

Really, Bailo? Cave Man? It was actually decent back in the '80's, but now that it's (seemingly) run by (seemingly) meth-heads it sucks the big one. Their sauce has always been just one step up from ketchup, and the ribs are far from tender, fall-off-the-bone.

Try Celtic Cowboy up in Lynnwood. He uses Painted Hills boeuf, and the burnt ends are sublime and melt-in-your-mouth.

Cask and Trotter in South Lake Union!!! BEYOND awesome. Also, a smaller mobile called Campfire run by Stefan and Julie Giles. Both of these are a MUST try. Cheers!

Oh, how could I forget Jones BBQ

There is no good BBQ in Seattle.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's the simple truth. There are some places that manage to make decent BBQ sandwiches, but that's primarily because they camouflage the meat with excessive sauce.

Admittedly, I'm biased. I grew up as a member of a Central Texas family, and Central Texas is one of the great BBQ regions (if not the greatest). Having tasted real BBQ, I just can't abide the pitiable attempts found here in the PNW.

And while I haven't tried every single BBQ joint in the region, I have tried most listed in Kelly's blog entry and the comments here. I have essentially relinquished all hope for decent BBQ in or near the Emerald City. Every time I relent and try another new place, I leave disappointed.

My suggestion for anyone seeking good BBQ in Seattle: Give up. Eat things that Seattle knows how to produce. There is no authentic BBQ culture here.

Oops! BJC wrote this, not Kelly O.

My apologies, Bethany.

I don't care about "authentic BBQ culture". I like tender meats covered in ketchuppy sauce. Call me a heathen if you like...but a combo plate of chicken and brisket at Manna's hits the spot. As does the chicken at Boar's Nest.

And I like the Kentucky 5 County Dipped Cue at Kickin' Boot.

...so, Ballard (extended out to Greenwood) is doing quite well by MY standards.

Manna's beef ribs remind me of when I lived in central Texas. I get them dry, with some sauce on the side. Smoky, tender and beefy. Beef ribs are the best!

Also, Chuck's Hole in the Wall is not "pitiable". It is totally legit bbq, Texas or otherwise.

When I want that Texas bbq fix, those are the two places I hit up.

Personally, I had some pretty poor brisket at Bitterroot.

How is Kickin' Boot not on this list? BBQ and whiskey? Yes, please.

@22 & 23, Maybe I was a bit harsh with my word choice.

I'll be in North Seattle soon to house-sit for a couple of weeks. I'll be sure to try Manna's. I've got my fingers crossed.

Okay, if they're going to be serving Smokin' Pete's, I am THERE. I was deeply bummed when I learned that Smokin' Pete's had closed the restaurant and become a catering-only business. What a great way to get my fix and see the fireworks, too!

I've had decent BBQ here. I'm on the south end, so Jones was my go to place. I am also from Texas (Houston and East Texas) and my mantra is if you can't find it locally - make it your own damn self. Sadly, and this shows I've relinquished my texas credentials, I make mostly pork shoulder and ribs. Brisket is... ahem... a bit tougher.