Where To Find Perth’s Best American Barbecue Joints
Vegans, avert your eyes.
Side Door BBQ
Barbecue is one thing, but brunch and barbecue is a dangerous combination – as if we needed any more tempting. Side Door offers brunch Thursday through Sunday, but if you can’t make it then, their lunch and dinner menu features heaps of options, even for fussy eaters and those a little more territorial over their plates (read: you don’t HAVE to share). Add in a Sweet Peach iced tea with rum, and what more could you ask for?
497-499 Beaufort Street (Rear), Highgate
Old Faithful Bar & BBQ
Old Faithful can be credited with introducing me, and arguably the rest of Perth, to American barbecue. Unusually for a barbecue spot, though – you could bring your meat-averse friends here. You might even get jealous of them. This inner city meat mecca has sides just as good as its mains – rubbed broccoli, kale caesar salad, brussel sprouts with sriracha mayo, fried potatoes with blue cheese sauce… not to mention a drinks list that can more than hold its own. That being said, the lamb ribs with chimichurri will get me every time. And after introducing Perth to American barbecue, they’re now taking the good times to Freo in their new digs on Pakenham Street!
86 King Street, Perth
1 Pakenham St, Fremantle
Frank’s Texas Smokehouse
Frank’s is another place that feels like it’s been transplanted from the middle of Texas, then plonked into an old car yard in Vic Park. Somehow though, it’s as if it’s been there forever. With an outside area perfect for big groups on balmy evenings, wallet-friendly drink specials and meat that’s ready to go as you order (no waiting!), this is the perfect spot for a Sunday catch up with mates. My pick is for the moist brisket – a classic barbecue staple done to perfection.
767 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park
Holy Smokes
This is American barbecue done with an easy, breezy Freo attitude. With friendly service and live music providing extra ambience, Holy Smokes should be your next date night dinner. They’ve got all the classics you’d expect – smoked meats, wings and slaws – but they also have a killer lineup of sliders and a some specials you won’t be able to resist: think Philly cheese brisket tacos or chicken and waffles with buttered greens.
Shop 8, 17-23 Collie Street, Fremantle
Porkies BAR-B-QUE
Porkies is not for the faint of heart. You could almost believe you were deep in the heart of Texas, if not for the Australian chatter that fills the room, or the familiar faces across the many TV screens – but this is no place for highfalutin airs. It’s a place for greasy-fingered goodness, free soft drink refills and definitely for an elastic waistband. Me, I’m still dreaming about the sticky, sweet, smoky 16-hour burnt ends and garlicky stadium fries.
208 Railway Parade, Bayswater
2328 Albany Hwy, Gosnells
Big Don’s Smoked Meats
While we generally stick to the old brick-and-mortars for these types of lists, you can’t mention barbecued meat around Perth without throwing in some BDSM to go with it! Big Don and his menagerie of Smoked Meats is a man you simply must track down (we even included him in our recent Perth Bucket List). No one takes American BBQ as seriously as the Don – go follow him on Instagram to see some meat for yourself and find out where he’ll be next.
Image via Big Don’s Smoked Meats
Various Locations
Gryphon Smokehouse
Another joint you’ll need to do a bit of searching to get amongst, Gryphon Smoke House’s lip-smackingly good American-style barbecue is only available on Saturdays and Sundays at the Swan Settlers Market. But who doesn’t love a lovely trip up to the Swan Valley, especially when there’s a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow filled with the best local meat cooked lowly and slowly over cherry wood. Already salivating? Pre-order your meal NOW to pick up on the weekend!
Swan Settler’s Market, 124 Lennard St, Herne Hill
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Header photo: Side Door BBQ