One of my favorite barbecue finds in this state wraps its meat in red and white checkered paper, like a church picnic that never ended. Another sits in a coal town with fewer than 1,200 people.
That’s the kind of place I love. No billboards.
No big neon. Just smoke drifting off a side road while cars zip by at highway speed.
West Virginia hides its best brisket in the funniest spots. Think old Main Streets, highland creeks, river roads, and a quiet stretch of rural highway.
Some of these kitchens open only a few days a week, so timing matters as much as appetite.
I can’t imagine a better excuse for a back-roads drive. So which one sits closest to your hometown, and how many times have you passed it without stopping?
1. Lost Mountain BBQ Company
Red and white checkered paper might be the most honest wrapper in barbecue. Out here on US-50, it’s how your smoked meats and sides arrive, tucked into classic trays.
The building sits along the Northwestern Turnpike outside Romney, a small Hampshire County town. At highway speed, you could blink and miss the whole operation.
Real wood-fired smokers do the heavy lifting here. Brisket, ribs, and pulled pork lead the lineup, and the ribs carry a sticky sweet glaze.
An original barbecue sauce brings a tangy kick if you like a little extra. Mac and cheese and baked beans round out the plate in proper comfort-food fashion.
Ordering happens at the counter, so it’s an easy stop for a solo lunch or a hungry crew. Covered outdoor seating lets you eat with a breeze and a view of the countryside.
Got a four-legged road trip buddy? Dogs are welcome inside and out, which makes this a handy pause on a long drive.
Plan ahead, though, because the doors stay shut Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday through Sunday, the smokers keep lunch and dinner going from late morning into the evening.
Address: 24991 Northwestern Turnpike, Romney, WV 26757
2. The Table Smokehouse
Pork rinds with pimento cheese sounds like a dare, and that’s exactly why it grabs me. It’s one of the signature bites at this Texas-style smokehouse in a historic coal town.
Mount Hope sits just south of the New River Gorge, with a population under 1,200. Most park visitors race right past its Main Street on the way to the overlooks.
That’s a shame, because the slow-smoked meats here deserve a detour. Brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, and chicken anchor the menu.
Signature sides keep the plates interesting beyond the meat. You’ll also find coffee and dessert if you want to linger a bit.
Families get some thoughtful touches here. There’s a kids’ menu, changing tables, and table service, so nobody has to juggle trays and toddlers.
Bringing a bigger group? A private dining room helps, and catering is available for gatherings back home too.
Timing is everything with this one. The smokehouse runs Thursday through Saturday only, from 11 AM to 8 PM.
That short week makes it feel like a little secret shared among people who plan ahead. Mark the calendar and leave room for a second helping.
Address: 707 Main St, Mt Hope, WV 25880
3. Smoke on the Water BBQ
A trout spread on a barbecue menu tells you right away this kitchen does its own thing. Throw in a deck beside a babbling brook, and you’ve got one scenic lunch stop.
Look for it on Route 33 East outside Elkins, up in the highlands. The turnoff is easy to overlook as you cruise the Allegheny Highway.
Slow down anyway. The house ribs, smoked wings, and pulled pork platter all earn a spot on the table.
Can’t choose? A sampler platter bundles pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and smoked shrimp into one happy pile.
Not everyone in your group wants meat, and that’s fine here. Spicy cauliflower bites are vegan, and that trout spread is a vegetarian-friendly starter.
The menu also stretches to fried green tomato sandwiches and mushroom and Swiss burgers. A wide spread of hot sauces lets you tune the heat yourself.
Covered outdoor seating keeps the creek views going in iffy weather. Inside, there’s a fireplace and live music to keep things lively.
Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Saturday evenings. It’s closed Monday and Tuesday, then open the rest of the week.
Address: Rt 33 East, 1455 Allegheny Hwy, Elkins, WV 26241
4. Bob’s BIG BEEF Barbecue & Catering
With a name like Big Beef, you’d better deliver, and pit beef sits right on the menu. Few barbecue stops in the state put that Maryland-style favorite next to brisket.
You’ll find this family-run spot along Valley Road, south of Berkeley Springs. Plenty of folks heading for the famous spa town zip past without a glance.
The lineup covers the classics too. Brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and barbecue chicken all come off the smoker here.
Sides lean hearty and homestyle. Think mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, potato salad, baked beans, and fresh-cut fries.
In a hurry? A drive-through window means you can grab lunch without leaving the car.
Got time to stretch? Outdoor picnic tables give you a spot to spread out, and dogs are welcome out there.
The schedule is short and sweet, so check the day before you go. It opens Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Sunday hours run from noon to 6 PM, and the rest of the week stays quiet. That makes it a weekend ritual for anyone lucky enough to live close by.
Address: 1884 Valley Rd, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
5. HANGOVER BBQ
A 500-gallon offset smoker burning cherry wood is the engine behind this Wheeling carryout. It’s custom-built, and it brings live-smoke barbecue to the Upper Ohio Valley.
Instead of the busy Interstate 70 strip, look for it on GC&P Road. That little detour keeps it off plenty of travelers’ radar.
Meats get a dry rub only, with homemade sauces served on the side. You get to decide how saucy things get.
The menu runs from baby back ribs and sliced prime brisket to peppered turkey and pulled pork. Jalapeno cheddar brats bring a spicy twist, even in hoagie form.
Plates come with two scratch-made Southern sides plus cornbread. Mac and cheese, baked tri-color beans, and coleslaw are among the picks.
Save room for dessert, because craft ice cream sandwiches wait at the finish line. The Wheeling tourism folks also note the city’s first kombucha bar right here.
Since it’s a carryout with outdoor seating, think picnic rather than dining room. Dogs are welcome to tag along outside.
Hours run Thursday through Sunday, closing late afternoon. Get there early before the good stuff runs out.
Address: 39 GC&P Road, Wheeling, WV 26003
6. The Backyard Bar-BQ
Downtown Morgantown grabs the attention, but the smoke out on Cheat Road deserves some too. This roadside stop near Cheat Lake trades campus crowds for a pleasant view.
You’ll order at the counter and grab a seat inside or out. The outdoor seating area is a big part of the appeal on a nice day.
Pulled pork sandwiches lead the parade here. The BBQ burger and barbecue chicken sandwich are strong runners-up.
Smoked wings make a fine starter, or a whole meal if you’re feeling bold. Small plates and desserts fill in the gaps.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu. Groups can look into the private dining room for birthdays or team get-togethers.
Night owls, take note of the schedule. It’s open until 11 PM Wednesday through Saturday, which is rare for a barbecue joint.
Sunday runs from 11 AM to 8 PM, while Monday and Tuesday stay closed. Friday evenings and Saturdays tend to be the busiest stretch.
If you’re heading to the lake for the day, this makes an easy dinner stop on the way home. Dogs can join you outside.
Address: 1382 Cheat Rd, Morgantown, WV 26508
7. Mason Dixon BBQ Co.
Barbecue at 6:30 in the morning? On weekdays, that’s when this veteran-owned spot unlocks its doors.
Breakfast and coffee share the bill with smoked meats.
Moundsville is a historic Ohio River town, and this homey storefront sits on Lafayette Avenue. It’s the sort of place you’d drive past on the way somewhere else.
Brisket and pulled pork are the signature meats. The pulled pork sandwich carries a smoky flavor, paired with a sauce that suits it nicely.
Brisket also shows up in some playful forms. Brisket cheese fries and a brisket quesadilla give you fun ways to mix things up.
Don’t skip the potato salad, a side that earns plenty of love. Portions run generous for the price.
You can order at the counter or enjoy table service, depending on the day and your mood. High chairs help when the little ones come along.
Reservations are accepted, which is handy for groups. Catering covers bigger events.
Weekday hours run from early morning to 7 PM, Tuesday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday start at 11 AM, and Monday is the day off.
Address: 115 Lafayette Ave, Moundsville, WV 26041
8. Rollin’ Smoke BBQ
Nachos piled with brisket might be the best kind of detour off Interstate 64. This family-owned riverfront spot serves them with pulled pork or pulled chicken too.
It sits on Crede Drive in Charleston, a residential stretch well off the main highway. Most capital city visitors never wander this way.
Road-trippers who do find it often reach for the sampler platter. Brisket is a big reason why.
Pulled pork, pulled chicken, and wings round out the smoked lineup. Sandwiches and platters come in generous portions.
Sides read like a Sunday dinner at Grandma’s. Coleslaw, potato wedges, cornbread, and potato salad all show up.
The sauces here get plenty of credit for bringing folks back. Dessert is worth a look if you have any room left.
Service moves quickly, so it works for a lunch break or a fast road stop. Outdoor seating gives you a breather, and dogs can join you there.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 11 AM to 7 PM. Sunday is closed, so plan your West Virginia weekend accordingly.
Address: 4008 Crede Dr, Charleston, WV 25302
9. Food By Fire WV
Brussels sprouts as a barbecue headliner? At this wood-fired eatery in Hedgesville, they share top billing with brisket and smash burgers.
Hedgesville is a tiny community along Route 9 in the Eastern Panhandle. Commuters headed toward Martinsburg roll past it all the time.
Wood fire is the whole idea here, right there in the name. Brisket comes off the smoker, and pulled pork joins it on the menu.
Smash burgers offer a crispy-edged change of pace. Loaded tots are a crowd favorite if you like your comfort food stacked high.
The vibe is casual with no table service, so order up and find a seat. Outdoor seating makes it easy to enjoy a sunny afternoon.
Small plates and dessert give you room to graze. Catering is available too, which could make you the hero of the next family reunion.
Hours are limited, so this one rewards planners. It opens Thursday through Saturday, from noon to 7 PM.
Afternoons and evenings on those days tend to bring the biggest crowds. It’s a fitting final stop for a West Virginia barbecue road trip.
Address: 7475 Hedgesville Rd, Hedgesville, WV 25427
