Sterling Heights might be a Detroit suburb best known for its auto industry and vibrant Polish-American community, but lately, it’s become a barbecue hot spot as well.
Here you’ll find everything from small-batch smokehouses to family-run restaurants blending Southern inspiration with Midwest warmth.
Expect thick-cut brisket, creative spice blends, and big, satisfying plates—because in the Midwest, barbecue always means plenty to share.
Bad Brads BBQ
This top-rated local mini-chain has become a household name across metro Detroit and Sterling Heights.
Everything is made from scratch, from hand-rubbed ribs smoked over apple and hickory wood to the pork burnt ends that sell out nightly.
Don’t skip their fried Brussels sprouts (with bacon and pecan glaze), spicy Texas-style chili, or the candied bacon appetizer.
Lockhart’s BBQ
Inspired by Texas barbecue mecca Lockhart, this spot is all about authenticity—salt-and-pepper brisket smoked for hours, pork and beef sausage (spicy and regular), and house sauces for every palate.
The Texas Trinity (brisket, ribs, sausage) is the move for first-timers, and the sides—jalapeño cheddar grits, cornbread, and beans—earn rave reviews from BBQ nerds.
Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ
Smokin’ Joe’s is a small, family-run operation with a loyal fanbase and a cheery diner vibe.
Their pulled pork sandwiches and classic beef ribs are crowd pleasers, but what really stands out are their sauces: sweet, spicy, and tangy, all made in-house.
Try the BBQ sampler with garlic mashed potatoes and coleslaw, and save space for the caramel apple dessert.
Uncle Peter’s Pasties & BBQ
Sterling Heights is proud of its Michigan-Polish roots, and Uncle Peter’s blends them right into the menu: you’ll find excellent barbecue platters alongside hot, flaky pasties (meat hand pies).
Their smoked turkey and barbecue pasty are uniquely Michigan. Add-on pierogies and locally beloved baked beans for a one-of-a-kind feast.
Red Smoke Barbecue
Downtown Rochester is where Red Smoke shines, but BBQ fans in Sterling Heights flock here for their hickory-smoked brisket (with a killer pepper crust), Memphis-style pork, and chipotle-honey glazed ribs.
Burnt ends fly out quickly and their bourbon-pecan bread pudding, with a drizzle of house caramel, is the perfect ending.
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