SmoQ, Cincinnati

SmoQ's motto, "If it's legal, we'll smoke it", while admittedly tongue-in-cheek, is indicative of the team's passion for slow-cooked food that's imbued with deep flavor and a whole lot of care. The barbecue here builds on these principles, each cut of meat getting a specialty spice-rub and mopped with the perfect amount of sauce to compliment the woody flavor that permeates it. Pulled pork that's hand-rubbed and smoked for 14 hours or the St. Louis dry-rub ribs that are adorned with 13 spices can be paired with trimmings like smashed potatoes or collards simmered with ham.