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New Orleans, LA

For BBQ in New Orleans, the local food press points to Blue Oak BBQ, The Joint, and Central City BBQ. Picks from Gambit (nola.com) and NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, updated July 2026.

Editor’s picks

Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Gambit (nola.com), NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, and NoMenu (Tom Fitzmorris). Updated July 2026.

Blue Oak BBQ · Mid-City
Gambit's 2024 Best of New Orleans Best Barbecue Restaurant winner.
The Joint · Bywater
Gambit 2024 Best Barbecue Restaurant runner-up.
Central City BBQ · Central City
Gambit 2024 runner-up for Best Barbecue Restaurant.
Walker's BBQ · New Orleans East
A cash-only New Orleans East smokehouse operating since 1992, famous for its cochon de lait po-boy of slow-cooked pulled pork with slaw in a horseradish sauce. nola.com's Where NOLA Eats coverage keeps it in the conversation, though the limited hours mean the Hayne Boulevard shop often sells out fast.

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