Where to Find the Best BBQ in Saratoga and the Capital Region
Whether you're a fan of ribs or brisket, sauce or no sauce, you can find all kinds of delicious barbecue at restaurants throughout Saratoga and the Capital Region. To help you pick out one to visit, we've highlighted 7 of the best BBQ places below and described what makes each one unique.
Get Your BBQ Fix at These Spa City Restaurants
Dizzy Chicken: Barbecue Entrees & Sandwiches With a Fresh Twist
Conveniently located in downtown Saratoga Springs, Dizzy Chicken is a local barbecue restaurant that prides itself on using nothing but the freshest raw ingredients and making everything in house. Their wood burning rotisserie allows them to add a natural hint of smoke to the food that will make your mouth water.
Try the Dizzy Chicken or pulled pork panini for lunch, or fill up on St. Louis ribs and smoked meatloaf for dinner. If barbeque isn't your favorite, that's okay too! Their menu features a wide variety of meals so there is something for everyone, including salads and cold sandwiches.
Kaleidoscope Cafe: Your Go-To Place for a Backyard BBQ Experience
Since opening at the start of 2020, Kaleidoscope Cafe in Saratoga Springs has continued to satisfy customers' cravings for both home-style barbecue and creamy ice cream. Their specialties include small-batch BBQ ribs and brisket that's smoked just for you.
You can eat indoors, dine at a picnic table (open seasonally) for a backyard BBQ experience, or order takeout. They can cook, vacuum seal, and freeze the food for you to heat up and enjoy at home.
And for desert? Check out their ice cream menu! Their most unique popular flavors include sweet bluenilla, peanut butter infusion, Frankenstein, cookie monster, and more! They also have milkshakes, malts, sorbets, and dairy free options. There is something for everyone at the Kaleidoscope Cafe.
Hit the Road for Some of the Best BBQ Near Saratoga
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: For Finger-Licking Goodness
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Troy is a lively dining destination that has earned a reputation as a must-visit spot for barbecue enthusiasts. Their menu features an array of mouthwatering BBQ dishes, from tender and smoky ribs to pulled pork and brisket. They have locations all across New York, and we are lucky to have one nestled right in our Capital Region in the city of Troy.
They also offer a diverse selection of sides and appetizers that perfectly complement the main courses, like their mac and cheese, cornbread, and simmered greens. For the little ones; check out the kids menu where they can choose to try some BBQ or get ordinary kids food. The kids BBQ menu offers sliders, chicken wings and ribs, and allows the kids to pick two homemade sides along with it.
Barnsider Smokehouse BBQ: Phenomenal Food for Every Barbecue Lover
Lake George is always worth the drive, but if you're craving delicious barbecue while in the area, the Barnsider Smokehouse BBQ is the place to be. With over 25 years of smokin' and sauce slingin' under their belt, this restaurant treats barbecue with the respect it deserves.
You'll find a variety of great options on the menu, including smoked beef brisket, smoked sausage, sizzling jumbo shrimp with BBQ sauce, and more. There is also catering and to-go options, where you could feed 12-30 people. There is a wide variety of catering options available, such as pulled pork, saint louis ribs, sliced brisket, BBQ chicken, and more. You can also cater sides and cornbread!
Rollin' Smoke Handcrafted BBQ and Saloon: Where Smoking Isn't Such a Bad Thing
Rollin' Smoke has been open since 2019 and serves nothing but the best to its customers. They have their own food truck which brings an authentic and rich experience with BBQ flavors. Their menu has a little bit of everything, from meats and meals to lighter fare, BBQ sandwiches and appetizers.
If going to a restaurant is more of your style, they have a location in Halfmoon. According to a reviewer, it was the, "best brisket I've ever had in New York." I don't think it needs more convincing than that!
Smokey Bones: There's Something for Everyone, Even the Kids!
If you are local to the Colonie area, then check out Smokey Bones on Central Avenue. This family friendly restaurant offers something for everyone, even if you aren't the biggest fan of BBQ. Having a party? You can also get catering, with a bunch of options to add some flavor to any occasion.
Check out their huge menu, with everything from burgers and sandwiches to BBQ platters and ribs. Want to give the kids a little taste of BBQ? Lucky for you, there is a menu here for them to check out! On the kids menu, the young ones can pick from a wide selection, including the classic mac and cheese or a kids BBQ chicken.
Memphis King BBQ: Authentic, Slow Cooked Barbeque That Will Satisfy Your Tastebuds
Head on down to Downtown Schenectady to try the 'KING' of authentic barbeque in the Capital Region, Memphis King BBQ! Open Tuesday-Saturday, this place is sure to cure those mid week blues with a delicious plate of BBQ. Take advantage of their delivery and takeout options, and order a catering package for your next party.
Their menu has anything any barbeque lover would want, such as smoked meat, fried chicken, and mac and cheese creations. There are also a whole bunch of delicious sides, including cornbread, French fries, and coleslaw. This is a downtown Schenectady gem that is totally worth a visit soon.