BBQ is personal. BBQ is communal. BBQ at its core is primal. Meat slowed cooked over smoke. Simple. But not easy to do correctly.

BBQ is the only food that has a definition codified in Federal Law. Title 9 of The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) defines it this way in Chapter III, Subchapter A, Part 319, Subpart C, Section 319.80

“Barbecued meats, such as product labeled “Beef Barbecue” or “Barbecued Pork,” shall be cooked by the direct action of dry heat resulting from the burning of hard wood or the hot coals therefrom for a sufficient period to assume the usual characteristics of a barbecued article, which include the formation of a brown crust on the surface and the rendering of surface fat. The product may be basted with a sauce during the cooking process. The weight of barbecued meat shall not exceed 70 percent of the weight of the fresh uncooked meat.”

I love BBQ and have traveled thousands of miles eating the best of Memphis, Alabama, St. Louis and Kansas City. I have learned a few things about BBQ. It is intensely personal. Whenever a chef or pitmaster spends 8, 10 or even 15 hours preparing a cut of pork or beef, you are eating the real fruit of labor. The rub, the mop, the sauce, all come from family recipes tested and tasted and tweaked over time.

BBQ is best enjoyed with family. Splitting plates. Telling stories. Savoring time around the table. Slow. Just like the preparation.

I’ve done some research and found that you don’t have to drive far for authentic BBQ. We have some great ‘cue right here in Dayton Ohio. Let me tell you about them. These are my favorites and if you like slow cooked smoky meat, they will be yours too. There are another 1/2 dozen places to get bbq in Dayton (that doesn’t count some remarkable food trucks). These folks are smoking ribs, brisket, pork, chicken and sausage over a real fire with real smoke. That’s the standard.

Hickory River BBQ (Regional Chain 6 locations Illinois and Ohio)

135 S Garber Dr, Tipp City, OH 45371

Hickory River in Tipp is worth the drive. Its a big family place and reminded me of the bigger Kansas City joints I have visited in recent years. By far the friendliest of my visits. My son and I split 4 ribs, brisket, a pulled pork sandwich and a 1/4 pound of the smoked sausage with two sides and drinks for under $30 dollars. My favorites here were the ribs and sausage. The pulled pork had a good amount of bark full of smokey flavor. My son says the mac and cheese was as good as he ever had. The slaw was fresh and made in-house.

Did I mention the prices and friendliness? I can’t wait to get back there. Tuesday’s are buck a bone rib nights.

Gotta Try: Smoked Sausage

Texas Beef and Cattle Company

1101 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45402

Texas Brisket and Texas attitude. By far the best brisket I have had in Ohio. Peppery, slow cooked, sliced right. Smoke ring and it had a good pull to it. Tender, but not pot roast falling apart. The sauce is kept behind the counter, ask for samples of both offerings. The sausage was great and the pulled pork sandwich was full of smoke and tender. Careful ordering the menu here. It get’s pricey fast. Pulled pork, sausage and a portion of brisket with two sides set me back almost $40 bucks. Ribs are sold by the slab and 1/2 slab only so we didn’t get to try them. Wings need to be ordered ahead by 20-30 minutes. Drink offerings are limited but beer is an option.

Gotta Try: Brisket

Fatbacks Barbecue

1334 Linden Ave, Dayton, OH 45410

Fatbacks is my go-to. It’s set up like the smaller joints in Memphis, which I love. His brisket is always tender and the best pulled pork is found here. His ribs have a sweet finish which I prefer. He also has a thing he calls a pig pop. It is the lower shank smoked slow and covered in a sweet sauce that almost candies on the rendered skin. Get one. No. Get two. Sides here are always great, from greens to slaw to beans.

PS. This guy is building smokers like the pros use when he isn’t feeding lunch to locals on Linden Ave.

Gotta Try: Pig Pop

OinkADoodleMoo (4 locations and WPAFB)

912 E Dorothy Ln, Dayton, OH 45419

I’d put Oink’s ribs against anyone in Dayton. I wish I could figure out the rub he uses there. The founders of Oink studied BBQ in Kansas City brought their newfangled smoking technology back home to Dayton and we benefit from that. Their ribs are never overcooked and always have a great smoke. I find their brisket to be a bit overdone and falling apart. Still tasty on a bun though! Wings. Get the wings. Smoked tender and soft and full of flavor. Not like your normal bar wings. The corn pudding should be a mandatory side. Brisket, wings, pulled pork and a few ribs and sides under $30 again. Perfect for a date or father/kid outing. Oink is also making burnt ends. A Kansas City invention.

Gotta Try: Ribs and get a side of the smoke potatoes

Combs BBQ Central

2223 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044

I really can’t say enough about this place. It’s out of range for lunch during the week but it quickly becoming my favorite on Saturday’s.

This laid-back spot is part of Downtown Middletown’s rebirth. These ribs are legit, always cooked perfect and the pulled pork has texture, great flavor and that spicy bark you want in every bite. Brisket doesn’t happen every day. Recently I was there when they had smoked an entire pot roast. Delicious on a bun with a touch of sauce. Prices are good and the service is tops and fast.

Gotta Try: Pulled Pork and Ribs

Company 7 BBQ

1001 S Main St, Englewood, OH 45322

Brisket. Check. Ribs. Check. Pulled pork. Check. The best wings in Dayton? Yes. You’ve got my word on it. They smoke wings in a marinade (a wet smoke) then cool them and deep fry them when you order. If you’ve never had them, get up there today. Crunchy outside with a soft smoky interior the wing is in a class all its own. The team of Company 7 is pushing the envelope with lunch specials and a drive-thru. That’s right. A bbq sandwich from a drive-thru. I’ve not timed it from Kettering, but I am considering it.

Bonus at Company 7…beer. More than 20 craft beers in cans and bottles and always a few Company 7 Brews on tap.

Gotta Try: Smoked Wings

I’m always looking for a new spot for great BBQ! Tell us where yourgo-too place is for great ribs, brisket, pulled pork or barbecued chicken.

Speaking of BBQ- MostMetro.com and Bryan Suddith, a certified Kansas City Barbeque Society Judge are teaming up for a Dayton BBQ Tour!

Join us this coming Saturday, Aug 4th at 1pm as we board the 937 Party Bus and we’ll visit OinkADoodle Moo, Fat Backs and Texas Beef and Cattle Company for this mobile meat feast. We’ll make sure you get plenty to eat and in between spots we’ll share a few brews on the bus and talk BBQ. This tour will be limited to just 12 people. $60 covers the bus transportation, beers and BBQ. Get your ticket here.

The Ribs at Woody’s Bar-B-Q – Smoked to Perfection

Nothing says Food Adventure like good barbeque. Lip smackin’, bone suckin’, slathered, sauced or smoked, they have it at Woody’s Bar-B-Q. Ribs cooked to perfection, mouth-watering brisket, freshly sliced vegetable dishes, and homemade pies a mile high are just some of the treasures available at this restaurant in Beavercreek. Located at 3321 Dayton Xenia Rd, this family friendly eatery offers a place to bring the whole crew for Southern style meals, without breaking the bank.

The owners know something about Southern food. Raised in Tennessee around homestyle cooking, Michael and Sharon York moved to Dayton in 1966. For more than 20 years, Michael developed his skills at a meat processing plant and today he personally smokes every ounce of meat. Sharon makes every single pie at Woody’s , and they are masterpieces. From chocolate peanut butter, to banana creme, the pies are so tall that you need a small ladder to eat them.

Country Fried Steak Dinner – Creamy and Crisp

Technically Woody’s is a franchise, one of only two in Ohio. But the feel and preparation of food here is about as “mom and pop” as it gets. Since opening 3 years ago, practically every item has been prepared in-house. The formula of good food and friendly service works here. Woody’s is a place where regulars know the polite staff, and where owners mingle with the patrons from time to time. But make no mistake, the food is the main event here. The Food Adventure Crew has some killer recommendations to smoke your appetite.

There are a couple of appetizers that we feel are “must eats.” First the hand sliced, and twice breaded Fried Squash. This is one unique appetizer that we had never eaten before. The squash slices are a delicious and different way to start your meal at Woody’s. Ask for the “special sauce” for dipping instead of the ranch for a true Food Adventure experience (yeah, we know all the secrets).

Beef Brisket – Smoked Slow and Piled High

Another one of a kind appetizer attraction are the popular Smoked Chicken Wings. The flavor is deep and fulfilling. These wings are like nothing we have eaten before. Sure, you can get the wings with BBQ or hot sauce, but we suggest Cajun style or “Dallas” style which is a mix of sauces. You will just have to try them for yourself because the taste is tangy, peppered and indescribably good. Wings are just 65 cents each on Wednesdays. On Mondays kids eat free and every Sunday is all you can eat chicken and a side for just $8.99.

Now, on to the heavy hitters that will have you speaking with a southern drawl in no time. Chef House loves good brisket, it is one of her weaknesses. The Beef Brisket at Woody’s Bar-B-Q is done right. Smoked slowly out back and sliced up fresh, someone here knows what they are doing. You can see remnants of the smoke ring throughout the moist, shredded brisket. Grab a pint of a Great Lakes beer on draft to seal the deal.

Let’s talk pork. First of all, the Baby Back Ribs are fantastic. Coated with sweet bbq sauce, as the glaze hits your lips, the taste is a result of hours of wood-fired, smoker expertise. Even the half slabs of ribs served in the combo plates are big enough to share a bone. The added bonus is that the rib dinner prices are a few bucks cheaper than at other rib joints. Rather have your pork pulled? The Pulled Pork at Woody’s Bar-B-Q literally melts in your mouth. Prepared by hand, it is succulent and smoky. Here is where you can experiment with the various table sauces such as Southern Sweet, Carolina, Smokin’ Hot, Tangy Mustard and Carolina Style. Squirt it and work it. The Smoked Chicken is also worth mentioning. It is juicy, tender and full of great flavor. Not a BBQ fan? Try the Giant Haddock Fish Sandwich, Fried Shrimp or the Fried Catfish. The Big Ragu suggests you wash it all down Cincinnati style with a cold Hudepohl Beer on tap or stick with the traditional sweet tea. Still thirsty? Try the new Redd’s Apple Ale !

As for the many choices of southern sides, we have tried all of them during our visits. Our favorites were the Baked Beans, Fried Okra, and Onion Rings. Woody’s even offers Chili Cheese Fries with up to 3 meat toppings. The thing to do here is experiment. Mix and match from the large variety of choices. We led you to the promiseland, now you gotta find your favorites. Here are some more tips: Sunday is All You Can Eat Chicken for only $8.99, Monday Kids Eat Free, and Friday is their special price on Prime Rib dinners. Woody’s Bar-B-Q has a deep community involvement, so you may see them at various local festivals. They also have a full catering menu for any event. Woody’s also has an outdoor patio and from time to time hosts live music and parties there.

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Being two “foodies in our forties,” we appreciate the comfortable, casual, laid back atmosphere and great prices. This is one of those times where we say “You gotta try this place.” Bring yourself and your family to Woody’s for an affordable, delicious meal. Come get sauced, fried, smoked and ‘pie’d’ with the rest of us !

Dayton Most Metro is giving away a $20 gift certificate to one lucky person who comments on this story below. Your name will be chosen at random and announced on Monday. Comment and fill out the form belowfor your chance at some fantastic, free food at Woody’s Bar-B-Q in Beavercreek!

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