

Barbecue is smoking hot right now, and we’re pumped for polished newcomers on the scene. But before top chefs were throwing their toques in the ring, this humble Allston joint (later joined by a Mission Hill sib) was turning out hickory-smoked dry rub ribs, tender brisket and other meaty eats for ’cue-starved crowds. SoulFire owner/pitmaster Wyeth Lynch has soul to spare, and it burns as red hot as a chili pepper.
SoulFire
182 Harvard Ave., Boston • (617) 787-3003
soulfirebbq.com
SoulFire
737 Huntington Ave., Boston • (617) 232-8000
soulfirebbq.com
Other Winners
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Barbecue
2014 Winner: Sweet Cheeks
Skeptics wondered why Tiffani Faison, first famed as an early Top Chef contestant, would choose to feature notoriously difficult American slow-smoke barbecue...
- 1381 Boylston St., Boston
- (617) 266-1300
- sweetcheeksq.com
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Barbecue
2015 Winner: Blue Ribbon BBQ
City slickers agree: For down-home barbecue near Boston, Blue Ribbon serves the prize pig. And beef brisket…...
- 908 Mass. Ave., Arlington
- (781) 648-7427
- blueribbonbbq.com
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Barbecue
2017 Winner: The Smoke Shop
After opening the South End’s Tremont 647 nearly 20 years ago, chef/owner Andy Husbands began honing his slow-smoking skills in barbecue competitions across the country...
- 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge
- (617) 577-7427
- thesmokeshopbbq.com
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Barbecue
2018 Winner: The Smoke Shop
- One Kendall Square, Cambridge
- (617) 577-7427
- thesmokeshopbbq.com