Looking for American-style BBQ in Windham and Tolland counties, Connecticut? This guide covers 8 restaurants and smokehouse stops, plus one specialty butcher/catering destination, for brisket, burnt ends, ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken and more.
Explore the Interactive Map
See every stop across Windham and Tolland counties in one place.
Where to Start
For burnt ends: Wicked Sinister, Black Dog, Little Mark's or Bear's Storrs.
For brisket: Wicked Sinister, Little Mark's, Backroads, Sonny's, Hops 44 or Bear's.
For ribs: Smokes on Spokes, Black Dog, Little Mark's, Backroads or Sonny's.
For something different: Backroads for brisket breakfast or Hops 44 for smoked-meat bowls and tacos.
Windham County BBQ
From a small Thompson smokehouse to serious burnt ends in Danielson and a full Pit Master menu in Putnam.
Smokes on Spokes BBQ
A small local BBQ stop serving smoked pork, brisket, kielbasa, ribs and rotating specials. It is a straightforward stop for big smoked-meat plates without the fuss.
Small operations can change hours or sell out. Check current hours before making a special trip.
Wicked Sinister Smokehouse
One of the strongest pure-BBQ picks in the Quiet Corner, with brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, ribs and loaded mac-and-cheese creations.
Black Dog Bar & Grille
A full-service restaurant with a legitimate Pit Master Corner. Their smoker turns out brisket, burnt ends, St. Louis ribs, pulled pork, kielbasa and smokehouse mac.
Tolland County BBQ
Classic hickory-smoked ribs, brisket breakfast, New England-style smokehouse plates and campus BBQ all make the cut.
Little Mark's BBQ & Grill
A revived Connecticut BBQ name serving classic smokehouse fare from its Vernon location, including brisket, burnt ends, ribs, smoked wings and combination plates.
Backroads Smokin' BBQ
Part BBQ joint, part roadside breakfast-and-lunch gem. You can get brisket, ribs and pulled pork here, but the sleeper order is brisket hash in the morning.
Some older sources list 291 Sandy Beach Rd. Current business listings use 292.
The Smokehouse at Sonny's Place
Sonny's dedicated Smokehouse serves New England-style BBQ from a custom smoker, including brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked turkey, kielbasa and smoked wings.
Hops 44
A sports bar with a real “From Our Smoker” section. House-smoked brisket, pulled pork and chicken show up in sandwiches, bowls, tacos and mac-and-cheese combinations.
Bear's Smokehouse BBQ — Storrs
Bear's UConn Student Union location brings Kansas City-style smoked meats to campus, including brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, smoked wings and loaded BBQ combinations.
Hours can change during UConn breaks.
CHECK BEAR'S STORRS →Specialty Smokehouse
Not every smoked-meat destination is a restaurant.
The Country Butcher / Country Catering
The Country Butcher isn't a conventional BBQ restaurant, but its connected catering operation specializes in smoked meats, BBQ and pig roasts, making it a useful stop for take-home meats or feeding a crowd.
Windham & Tolland County BBQ FAQ
Where can I get American BBQ in Windham County?
Smokes on Spokes in Thompson, Wicked Sinister in Danielson and Black Dog in Putnam are the three main stops in this guide.
Where can I get BBQ in Tolland County?
Little Mark's in Vernon, Backroads in Ellington, Sonny's Smokehouse in Somers, Hops 44 in Storrs and Bear's at UConn all serve American-style smoked meats.
Where can I find burnt ends?
Start with Wicked Sinister, Black Dog, Little Mark's or Bear's Storrs.
Is there BBQ for breakfast?
Yes. Backroads Smokin' BBQ in Ellington opens early and serves brisket-based breakfast options such as brisket hash.
Does this guide include Korean BBQ?
No. This guide is specifically focused on American-style barbecue: brisket, ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, smoked chicken and similar smokehouse dishes.
Know a spot we missed? Restaurant hours and operations can change. If an American BBQ restaurant, smokehouse or food truck in Windham or Tolland County belongs here, let Quiet Corner Buzz know so we can keep this guide useful.
