BBQ Eats in Ruston
There’s no doubt some of the best and most comforting food can be found at local BBQ restaurants.
It’s something about southern BBQ served to you by smiling faces that makes you feel right at home no matter where you find yourself.
Ruston has no shortage of options when it comes to comfort food, and whether it’s traditional southern BBQ you crave or something with a little more edge, you’re sure to find a meal to hit the spot from this list of our favorite BBQ locations.
Bad Wolf BBQ – BBQ lovers can’t get enough of this craft BBQ truck located at the Heard Freighthouse Food Park in downtown Ruston. These guys offer Texas-style prime brisket that is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A popular menu item is their sweet potatoes topped with green onions, their signature white BBQ sauce, and your choice of meat. Other favorites include BBQ tacos, specialty sandwiches, brussel sprouts, and Mexican-style creamed corn. Be sure to follow Bad Wolf for new menu items and limited-time specials like the stuffed poblanos - pulled pork and creole cream cheese stuffed in a smoked poblano pepper. Head to the Heard for some grub and settle into one of the on-site picnic tables. The Heard is located at 93 East Railroad Avenue. Read more about what Bad Wolf BBQ and the Heard have going on here.
Brister’s Smokehouse – This BBQ smokehouse has a long history in Ruston. The restaurant started out as Dowling’s Smokehouse in 1972 and serving slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork, chicken, smoked sausage, brisket, and the works to the public. In 2014, the restaurant changed owners and names, but the recipes remained the same! By far one of the most popular items to order is still the World Famous Scatterload Sandwich. This sandwich combines minced ham, turkey, hot link, sausage, and brisket piled high on your choice of bun and covered in BBQ sauce. The atmosphere here also remained the same – friendly and relaxed just like any hometown restaurant should be. Brister’s Smokehouse is located just off I-20 at 1313 Cooktown Road. Look for Scatterload the Pig waiting out front to greet you!
Hot Rod Bar-B-Que – This local favorite is also serving up ribs, brisket, smoked sausage, sandwiches, loaded baked potatoes, and more. There’s plenty on the menu, but Hot Rod’s combination plates are really the stars of the show. Pick your plateful with variety of brisket, chicken, ham, pulled pork, sausage, and turkey with traditional sides like baked beans, potato salad, and cole slaw. Feeding a crew? Check out the Family Pack section of their menu. While you're there, you definitely have to try their homemade peach cobbler! Hot Rod’s is located at 1911 Farmerville Highway.
![](https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/8120170816113653.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=bf059a2a61950aeceb9992ed9c4469f3 320w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/8120170816113653.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=6c92c0577e190921965682199d166dfa 540w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/8120170816113653.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=6f2b67c52a65ec82d36aacb80fe5e345 700w)
Log Cabin – We know this isn’t your typical BBQ place, but it deserves an honorable mention. Log Cabin is known for its extensive menu and ability to offer something to please everyone’s tastes. Their selection of BBQ dishes is no exception to this as it includes burgers, butterfly shrimp, quesadillas, sandwiches, loaded fries, nachos, enchiladas, burritos, po-boys, and good old-fashioned BBQ platters. Maybe one of the best BBQ delights can be found in the appetizers section – Log Cabin’s BBQ dip. Whether ordered as a starter or entrée, you can’t go wrong with layers of BBQ beans, chopped beef (or pork), cheese, sour cream, chives, and bacon served alongside warm tortilla chips.
![](https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/54518531_10156913943984029_5040468207203254272_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=97af14aeae7fecf721426bf0a6350a0e 320w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/54518531_10156913943984029_5040468207203254272_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=30efa7e71da4a483c62bab54d81dec27 540w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/54518531_10156913943984029_5040468207203254272_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=7b6ef868d10be6e28e1d14cf1ac1f61d 738w)
The Rib Shack – This local BBQ place is truly in a roadhouse setting. Pull up to the Rib Shack located just south of historic downtown Ruston and walk right up to the counter for service. Locals call this place a hidden gem and recommend trying the chopped beef sandwiches, ribs and shack potatoes. The menu also includes plated lunches, sausage dogs, deliciously sweet tea, all the “fixins” you require as well as a heaping side of southern charm. Better take it slow to 1314 South Vienna Street, if you’re moving too fast, you’ll miss it!
Looking for something a little different? Check out these restaurants around town and their BBQ additions!
Champs Sports Restaurant & Bar’s BBQ pulled pork sliders made with braised pulled pork and served with sweet BBQ sauce or Buffalo style.
Dawg House Sports Grill’s Southwest Burger, 8 oz. burger served on your choice of bread with BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and sautéed onions. You’re also going to want a side of those curly fries!
Raw’s Caterpillar Roll filled with BBQ eel and crabstick and topped with avocado and eel sauce.
![](https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/IMG_2885.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=ae35457a89848e2e7ddd02732f6bd622 320w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/IMG_2885.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=8c74bbb76a624566a9fbc0aa729f9c97 540w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/IMG_2885.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=a76783e47d3fa9c39250e51b55610e3a 768w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/IMG_2885.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1024&s=c04a1246347238f340baeeead3dc9eb2 800w)
Portico’s Original Flatboy, slow roasted pulled pork, roast beef, turkey, black forest ham, bacon, and Swiss cheese served with BBQ sauce and brown gravy on toasted poboy bread & flattened on a press.
Utility Brewing’s Smokey Pig Pizza layered with BBQ sauce, house-made mozzarella, pulled pork, bacon, jalapenos, and green onions. Be sure to ask for the perfect beer pairing!
![](https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/26733723_1941281536182688_4693309584191351071_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=320&s=59afe0f6e3d0af2e438d08b805b2e12a 320w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/26733723_1941281536182688_4693309584191351071_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=540&s=ed6a1cef8d9155d23f3aba743052b4e1 540w, https://ruston.imgix.net/images/blog-press/26733723_1941281536182688_4693309584191351071_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=768&s=740565e0ffd750dc6e343c9c9598f86f 600w)
Have some favorites not listed here? Comment and let us know! You can also find a complete list of dining options in the area online here or by downloading our dining guide!
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93 E. Railroad Ave. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 350-8495 Website
93 E. Railroad Ave. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 Website
1420 Cooktown Rd. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 513-9966 Website
1911 Farmerville Hwy. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 254-8010 Website
1906 Farmerville Hwy. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 255-8023 Website
1312 S. Vienna St. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 255-8919 Website
102 N. Homer St. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 513-1188 Website
202 W. Mississippi Ave. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 202-3353 Website
206 N. Vienna St. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 514-8811 Website