Located just south of Seattle, Kent has become a food-lover’s haven—fueled by its dynamic, diverse community and a growing population of Southern transplants and BBQ obsessives.
Barbecue here mixes classic smokehouse tradition with a little Pacific Northwest innovation: wild cherry wood, craft beer pairings, and sides that nod to Thai, Korean, and Filipino kitchens.
Kent’s best barbecue spots are warm, family-run, and always busy.
Cave Man Kitchen
A Kent landmark since the 1970s, Cave Man Kitchen has a roadside, kitschy feel, with wood-fired pits cooking up whole chickens, ribs, and beef brisket.
Their chicken is especially famous: juicy, smoky, and addictively simple, with a pepper-forward rub.
Try their homemade sweet-and-savory beans, coleslaw, and the iconic BBQ beef sandwich—eaten outdoors on picnic tables for the full experience.
Branks BBQ
A multigenerational family business, Branks focuses on slow-smoked brisket, pork, and ribs in a casual roadhouse.
The “Big Hoss” combo plate is a rite of passage—piled high with sliced brisket, juicy pulled pork, and a couple of spicy hot links.
They’re known for a slightly sweet, tomato-based sauce and generous portions. Don’t skip the potato salad or their decadent, smoky baked beans.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit (Kent location)
While Dickey’s is a national chain, the Kent location has its own loyal base, thanks to slow-cooked brisket, turkey, and sausage, all finished with a range of sauces.
Kids eat free on Sundays, there’s soft-serve ice cream, and their jalapeño cheddar kielbasa brings Texas heat to the Pacific Northwest.
Kent Station BBQ (at Kent Farmers Market and events)
A food truck and pop-up staple, Kent Station BBQ features small-batch smoked meats—brisket, pulled pork, juicy ribs—using a mix of apple and cherry wood for a uniquely local flavor.
Specials rotate with the seasons, and you can usually score a killer pastrami sandwich or a creative fusion dish (like BBQ rice bowls) at weekend markets or summer festivals.
Memo’s Mexican BBQ
Something uniquely Kent, Memo’s fuses traditional barbecue with Mexican spice and grilling.
Their smoked chicken, brisket, and carnitas tacos are crowd-pleasers, often finished with a fire-roasted salsa.
BBQ burritos and loaded fries are huge with the lunch crowd, and this spot is a taste of Kent’s multicultural energy in every bite.
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