Everybody in Columbus has a barbecue place, and everybody thinks theirs is the best. So we didn't pick. We let the diners decide.

Columbus Times ranked every barbecue restaurant we could find in Columbus and Phenix City by its Google rating, the star score left by people who ate there. To make the list, a restaurant needed at least 200 reviews, so a few glowing reviews from friends couldn't push a place to the top. Ties were broken by the number of reviews. For barbecue businesses with more than one location, we counted the highest-rated one.

Under each restaurant, we list what diners mention most in their reviews.

## 1. The Emeralds Touch BBQ: 5.0 stars (204 reviews) 📍 5156 River Rd., Suite F, Columbus · (706) 718-9227

A perfect 5.0. It's the only barbecue spot with at least 200 reviews and a flawless score. Reviewers praise the family that runs it as much as the food. Diners mention most: ribs, brisket, collard greens, mac and cheese, yams and oxtail.

## 2. 13th St BBQ: 4.6 stars (664 reviews) 📍 1310 7th Ave., Phenix City · (334) 291-1833

A no-frills Phenix City favorite, known for wood-smoked meats and homemade sauces. Reviewers single out the pork chop sandwich. Diners mention most: ribs, pork chop sandwich, brisket, barbecue sandwiches and sweet tea. Also in Columbus at 5506 Veterans Pkwy. (4.5 stars, 611 reviews) and in Ladonia on U.S. 80 West (4.5 stars, 532 reviews).

## 3. Moe's Original BBQ: 4.6 stars (552 reviews) 📍 1421 6th Ave., Uptown Columbus · (706) 984-0635

Alabama-style pulled pork and meats smoked in-house, in Uptown. It's part of a regional chain, but diners rank it near the top. Diners mention most: cornbread, mac and cheese, banana pudding, smoked wings and collards.

## 4. Clearview BBQ: 4.5 stars (1,575 reviews) 📍 4222 River Rd., Columbus · (706) 653-0407

A family-run, old-school joint with more reviews than anyone else in the top 10. Bring cash: reviewers say it's cash only. Diners mention most: barbecue sandwiches, the chipped sandwich, slaw, Brunswick stew and the "junkyard dog." The staff gets nearly as many mentions as the food.

## 5. Neicy's BBQ: 4.5 stars (1,019 reviews) 📍 359 23rd Ave., Columbus · (706) 992-6333

If it's ribs you want, this is the place diners point to. Ribs come up in more reviews here than at any other spot on the list. Diners mention most: ribs, mac and cheese, slaw, collard greens and yams.

## 6. Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q: 4.5 stars (932 reviews) 📍 5710 Whittlesey Blvd., Columbus · (762) 239-9380

A laid-back regional chain known for slow-cooked meats and its cheese biscuits. It also has a drive-thru. Diners mention most: brisket, collard greens, cheese biscuits and banana pudding.

## 7. Smokey Pig BBQ: 4.5 stars (428 reviews) 📍 1617 11th Ave., Columbus · (706) 327-9253

A counter-service classic that has been feeding Columbus for generations. The restaurant says it has served barbecue since 1953. Diners mention most: barbecue sandwiches, Brunswick stew, ribs, pork plates and banana pudding. Also in Phenix City at 1502 Opelika Road (4.3 stars).

## 8. Mike & Ed's Bar-B-Q: 4.3 stars (805 reviews) 📍 2001 Crawford Road, Phenix City · (334) 297-1012

Casual, busy and built around the rib plate. One reviewer said that when the sweet tea comes out of a (clean) trash can, you know the barbecue is going to be good. Diners mention most: ribs, Brunswick stew, chopped pork, brisket and potato salad. Also in Columbus at 7590 Schomburg Road.

## 9. Macon Road Barbeque: 4.3 stars (709 reviews) 📍 2703 Avalon Road, Columbus · (706) 563-0542

Old-school platters and sandwiches, and a signature sauce. Reviewers mention the mustard sauce by name, and one said they miss the place whenever they travel. Diners mention most: Brunswick stew, the chipped barbecue sandwich, mustard sauce and potato salad.

## 10. Smokems BBQ: 4.3 stars (653 reviews) 📍 17A Ashwood Drive, Phenix City · (334) 298-0320

The surprise of the list. Diners rave about the hamburger steak almost as much as the ribs, and several reviews mention a "giant pork sandwich." Diners mention most: ribs, hamburger steak, potato salad, baked beans and chopped pork.

Just missed the list

• Chicken Comer's Bar-B-Que, Phenix City: 4.2 stars, 446 reviews. It's the oldest barbecue name in the area, dating to 1929.
• Country's Barbecue: 4.0 to 4.1 stars at its Mercury Drive, Veterans Parkway and Broad Street locations. Country's has by far the most reviews of any barbecue in town, about 8,600 across the three locations. That shows how many people eat there, even if the stars came out lower.

How we ranked them

We searched Google Maps for barbecue restaurants in Columbus and Phenix City on Oct. 9, 2026, and recorded each one's rating and review count. We kept places with at least 200 reviews, sorted them by rating and then by review count, and counted each business once. "Diners mention most" comes from the review topics Google lists for each restaurant. Ratings change over time, so check the latest before you go.

Think we got it wrong? Of course you do. It's barbecue. Tell us your pick at columbustimes.com/contact.