Oklahoma sits between several famous American barbecue traditions, which makes eating barbecue in Oklahoma City particularly interesting. You will find brisket that reflects Texas influence, pork and ribs associated with traditions further east, plus restaurants that happily mix regional styles.
For a visitor, there is no need to turn this into a debate about which state makes the “correct” barbecue. Order a tray, try several meats and pay attention to the sides and sauces too.
What should you order?
Brisket is an obvious starting point, especially if you enjoy slow-smoked beef. Ribs, pulled pork, sausage and smoked turkey are also common choices. If a restaurant sells meat by weight, sharing several different cuts is a good way to explore.
Barbecue is generally casual food, and some of the best experiences are in places where the room itself is much less important than the smoker.
Make it part of the trip
I would include at least one barbecue meal during an Oklahoma City visit, but not every meal. The city has a much broader food scene, including excellent Vietnamese food and contemporary restaurants. Barbecue is one part of Oklahoma’s food identity – a very enjoyable part, but not the whole story.