North Dakota might be one of the least-populated states in the US, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know good BBQ when we taste it. Who says the big cities get all the fun, and for that matter, who says Texas has the best barbecue? We think North Dakota might just be a contender for that top spot, and the reason for this is that we’ve got a good, solid handful of excellent eateries that fans of saucy, smoky BBQ will be proud to call our own. We went ahead and put together this awesome BBQ road trip in North Dakota that’ll probably introduce you to your new favorite place. From hole-in-the-wall restaurants in North Dakota to phenomenal BBQ food trucks, follow this map to some of the best BBQ in North Dakota.
Google Maps
- Revival Ribs, Ellendale
America Homeland REVIVAL RIBS/Facebook Our first delicious stop is in Ellendale, at Homeland REVIVAL RIBS.
America Homeland REVIVAL RIBS/Facebook This little hole-in-the-wall isn’t actually in between four walls at all – it’s one of North Dakota’s most ridiculously underrated food trucks that serves up some of THE most amazing, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs you’ve ever eaten. REVIVAL prides itself on preparing different kinds of ribs in all sorts of styles, so there’s something for everyone here – as long as they love ribs. Read more about this little local gem on their official Facebook page. 605 1st Ave S, Ellendale, ND 58436, USA
- Jays Smokin’ BBQ, Fargo
Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ - Fargo/Facebook For our second stop, we’ll pay a visit to the local legend in Fargo known as Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ.
Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ - Fargo/Facebook Nestled inside the space once known as Mom’s Diner inside Tailgators (which might make it the MOST hole-in-the-wall spot on this list), Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ seems to get the same description in the vast majority of its reviews; folks all seem to agree on one thing, and that thing is this: BEST. BARBECUE. EVER. This one is so awesome that it’s got two locations – one’s here in North Dakota, and the other is out in Minnesota. Both locations are wonderful. This is one stop you’ll need to bring a huger-than-huge appetite for! Check out the official website to learn more. 1322 Main Ave, Fargo, ND 58103, USA
- Monty’s BBQ, Minot
Monty’s BBQ/Facebook Up next is Monty’s BBQ, which you’ll find nestled in Minot.
Monty’s BBQ/Facebook Maybe the modern form of a hole-in-the-wall is the food truck. After all, they’re small, they are capable of traveling, and boy, do they have some of the best food in the universe! Monty’s BBQ, found in Minot, is one of those amazing places where you’ll be sad by the time you’re done eating because it’s over (seriously, one person in the reviews says they “literally cried” when it was over because it was so incredibly good). The flavor here is second to none, and this little stop is well worth your time (and appetite). Learn more on the official Facebook page. 4100 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701, USA
- Backdraft Café & BBQ, Berthold
Backdraft Cafe & BBQ/Facebook Our fourth place is the amazing BackDraft Cafe & BBQ, which is relatively new, but oh so amazing and well worth a stop.
Backdraft Cafe & BBQ/Facebook So, this petite BBQ restaurant in North Dakota began as a food truck, but it was so wildly popular that it recently became its own brick-and-mortar restaurant. Its overwhelming popularity is for obvious reasons; every item on the menu is fresh, juicy, tender, and delicious. Backdraft is everything good BBQ ought to be if you ask us (and other rabid fans). Your taste buds will go on an unforgettable adventure at this little nosh spot. Check out the official website for menus, specials, hours, and more. 213 Main St N, Berthold, ND 58718, USA
- Pit 105, Williston
Pit 105/Google Local We conclude our adventure at Pit 105 in Williston.
Pit 105/Facebook The epitome of a hole in the wall, this little pit stop is perfect for folks obsessed with fall-off-the-bone goodness and ridiculous amounts of explosive flavor. It’s a relatively new shop, and it definitely needs way more love than it gets. You’ll find yourself daydreaming about the food here – which means you’ll want to come back ASAP. Get all the details, including hours, specials, and menus, on the official website. 213 11th St W, Williston, ND 58801, USA
For a taste of some of the best BBQ in North Dakota, these hidden gems are a fantastic place to start! Of course, this is one of the lengthiest North Dakota road trips that we’ve written about, so feel free to break this delicious journey into smaller pieces!
Google Maps
America Homeland REVIVAL RIBS/Facebook
Our first delicious stop is in Ellendale, at Homeland REVIVAL RIBS.
This little hole-in-the-wall isn’t actually in between four walls at all – it’s one of North Dakota’s most ridiculously underrated food trucks that serves up some of THE most amazing, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs you’ve ever eaten. REVIVAL prides itself on preparing different kinds of ribs in all sorts of styles, so there’s something for everyone here – as long as they love ribs. Read more about this little local gem on their official Facebook page.
605 1st Ave S, Ellendale, ND 58436, USA
Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ - Fargo/Facebook
For our second stop, we’ll pay a visit to the local legend in Fargo known as Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ.
Nestled inside the space once known as Mom’s Diner inside Tailgators (which might make it the MOST hole-in-the-wall spot on this list), Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ seems to get the same description in the vast majority of its reviews; folks all seem to agree on one thing, and that thing is this: BEST. BARBECUE. EVER. This one is so awesome that it’s got two locations – one’s here in North Dakota, and the other is out in Minnesota. Both locations are wonderful. This is one stop you’ll need to bring a huger-than-huge appetite for! Check out the official website to learn more.
1322 Main Ave, Fargo, ND 58103, USA
Monty’s BBQ/Facebook
Up next is Monty’s BBQ, which you’ll find nestled in Minot.
Maybe the modern form of a hole-in-the-wall is the food truck. After all, they’re small, they are capable of traveling, and boy, do they have some of the best food in the universe! Monty’s BBQ, found in Minot, is one of those amazing places where you’ll be sad by the time you’re done eating because it’s over (seriously, one person in the reviews says they “literally cried” when it was over because it was so incredibly good). The flavor here is second to none, and this little stop is well worth your time (and appetite). Learn more on the official Facebook page.
4100 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701, USA
Backdraft Cafe & BBQ/Facebook
Our fourth place is the amazing BackDraft Cafe & BBQ, which is relatively new, but oh so amazing and well worth a stop.
So, this petite BBQ restaurant in North Dakota began as a food truck, but it was so wildly popular that it recently became its own brick-and-mortar restaurant. Its overwhelming popularity is for obvious reasons; every item on the menu is fresh, juicy, tender, and delicious. Backdraft is everything good BBQ ought to be if you ask us (and other rabid fans). Your taste buds will go on an unforgettable adventure at this little nosh spot. Check out the official website for menus, specials, hours, and more.
213 Main St N, Berthold, ND 58718, USA
Pit 105/Google Local
We conclude our adventure at Pit 105 in Williston.
Pit 105/Facebook
The epitome of a hole in the wall, this little pit stop is perfect for folks obsessed with fall-off-the-bone goodness and ridiculous amounts of explosive flavor. It’s a relatively new shop, and it definitely needs way more love than it gets. You’ll find yourself daydreaming about the food here – which means you’ll want to come back ASAP. Get all the details, including hours, specials, and menus, on the official website.
213 11th St W, Williston, ND 58801, USA
So, what do you think? Are you hungry yet? Do you plan to embark upon this juicy, fall-off-the-bone barbecue road trip in North Dakota? What are your favorite BBQ spots in this beautiful state? If you have a suggestion you’d like to share with us, you can do so by filling out our nomination form.
For more hole-in-the-wall restaurants in North Dakota, these mom-and-pop stops are well worth a visit.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best BBQ in North Dakota & Related Info February 05, 2023 Jennifer What are some of the most unique restaurants in North Dakota? NoDak cuisine doesn’t often make headlines, but this Midwest state is certainly home to its fair share of unique places to dine. From quirky, themed restaurants to one-of-a-kind dining experiences to local favorites housed in unusual places, here are just a few of the most unique restaurants in North Dakota:
A Frame Restaurant, Bottineau CRAVE Fargo, Fargo Excalibur Steakhouse, Regent Fabulous Kegs Drive-In, Grand Forks No Bull Smokehouse, Fargo North Dakota Museum of Art Café, Grand Forks Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Medora Proz Lakeside, Devils Lake Rockin’ Relics, Rugby Silver Prairie Saloon, McLeod Space Aliens, Bismarck Whirl-A-Whip Soda Fountain at the Dakota Drug Co., Stanley Wurst Shop, Dickinson
Are there any romantic restaurants in North Dakota? The perfect blend of ambiance, a gorgeous setting, and impeccable cuisine adds a touch of magic to any special evening. These beautiful, romantic restaurants in North Dakota each offer a little something special to enjoy with your special someone:
Bistro 1100, Bismarck CRAVE, Fargo Eleven (The Williston), Williston Historic Rough Riders Hotel and Dining Room, Medora HoDo, Fargo Mezzaluna, Fargo Pirogue Grille, Bismarck Sabir’s Dining, Valley City Sky’s, Grand Forks Teddy’s Lounge, New Town
Does North Dakota have any secret restaurants? For a fantastic evening that feels a touch like dining in a secret speakeasy, the Boiler Room in Fargo is North Dakota’s only underground restaurant. You’ll find the entrance to this hidden gem tucked away in an alley off of Broadway.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best BBQ in North Dakota & Related Info
February 05, 2023
Jennifer
What are some of the most unique restaurants in North Dakota? NoDak cuisine doesn’t often make headlines, but this Midwest state is certainly home to its fair share of unique places to dine. From quirky, themed restaurants to one-of-a-kind dining experiences to local favorites housed in unusual places, here are just a few of the most unique restaurants in North Dakota:
A Frame Restaurant, Bottineau CRAVE Fargo, Fargo Excalibur Steakhouse, Regent Fabulous Kegs Drive-In, Grand Forks No Bull Smokehouse, Fargo North Dakota Museum of Art Café, Grand Forks Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Medora Proz Lakeside, Devils Lake Rockin’ Relics, Rugby Silver Prairie Saloon, McLeod Space Aliens, Bismarck Whirl-A-Whip Soda Fountain at the Dakota Drug Co., Stanley Wurst Shop, Dickinson
Are there any romantic restaurants in North Dakota? The perfect blend of ambiance, a gorgeous setting, and impeccable cuisine adds a touch of magic to any special evening. These beautiful, romantic restaurants in North Dakota each offer a little something special to enjoy with your special someone:
Bistro 1100, Bismarck CRAVE, Fargo Eleven (The Williston), Williston Historic Rough Riders Hotel and Dining Room, Medora HoDo, Fargo Mezzaluna, Fargo Pirogue Grille, Bismarck Sabir’s Dining, Valley City Sky’s, Grand Forks Teddy’s Lounge, New Town
Does North Dakota have any secret restaurants? For a fantastic evening that feels a touch like dining in a secret speakeasy, the Boiler Room in Fargo is North Dakota’s only underground restaurant. You’ll find the entrance to this hidden gem tucked away in an alley off of Broadway.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
NoDak cuisine doesn’t often make headlines, but this Midwest state is certainly home to its fair share of unique places to dine. From quirky, themed restaurants to one-of-a-kind dining experiences to local favorites housed in unusual places, here are just a few of the most unique restaurants in North Dakota:
- A Frame Restaurant, Bottineau
- CRAVE Fargo, Fargo
- Excalibur Steakhouse, Regent
- Fabulous Kegs Drive-In, Grand Forks
- No Bull Smokehouse, Fargo
- North Dakota Museum of Art Café, Grand Forks
- Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Medora
- Proz Lakeside, Devils Lake
- Rockin’ Relics, Rugby
- Silver Prairie Saloon, McLeod
- Space Aliens, Bismarck
- Whirl-A-Whip Soda Fountain at the Dakota Drug Co., Stanley
- Wurst Shop, Dickinson
Are there any romantic restaurants in North Dakota?
The perfect blend of ambiance, a gorgeous setting, and impeccable cuisine adds a touch of magic to any special evening. These beautiful, romantic restaurants in North Dakota each offer a little something special to enjoy with your special someone:
- Bistro 1100, Bismarck
- CRAVE, Fargo
- Eleven (The Williston), Williston
- Historic Rough Riders Hotel and Dining Room, Medora
- HoDo, Fargo
- Mezzaluna, Fargo
- Pirogue Grille, Bismarck
- Sabir’s Dining, Valley City
- Sky’s, Grand Forks
- Teddy’s Lounge, New Town
Does North Dakota have any secret restaurants?
For a fantastic evening that feels a touch like dining in a secret speakeasy, the Boiler Room in Fargo is North Dakota’s only underground restaurant. You’ll find the entrance to this hidden gem tucked away in an alley off of Broadway.
