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Photo courtesy of Brown Iron Brewhouse
Brisket is a barbecue favorite that brings together rich flavors, tender meat, and smoky goodness in every bite. Metro Detroit is home to some of the best spots for brisket, each offering its unique take on this classic dish. Whether you like it served up in a sandwich, paired with homemade sauces, or just straight off the smoker, these local BBQ joints have got you covered…
BROWN IRON BREWHOUSE
30955 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak
57695 Van Dyke Road, Washington
Brown Iron Brewhouse is a top spot for brisket in Metro Detroit. This craft beer-centric smokehouse takes pride in pairing its smoked meats with a wide selection of beers brewed on-site. “Our brisket is juicy and flavorful, hand-trimmed, and applewood smoked for 16 hours in-house! Whether enjoyed on its own, in a hearty sandwich, or paired with our homemade BBQ sauces, our brisket brings flavor to every meal,” shares Ben Stump, Marketing Director. You can find brisket cheesesteak egg rolls, smoked or espresso-rubbed burnt ends, a brisket melt, and choose to add it chopped to any salad or nacho. The Whiskey Brisket Burger also stands out, topped with smoked gouda cheese, and crispy onions, and drizzled with Traverse City Whiskey BBQ sauce. The lively atmosphere and focus on quality make this a go-to destination for BBQ enthusiasts.
FULL RACK BARBECUE
21425 Greater Mack Avenue, St. Clair Shores
Full Rack Barbecue has quickly become a standout in the Metro Detroit BBQ scene. “We sell fresh BBQ made every day. Our brisket rivals the best around and abroad, including Central Texas. That’s confirmed by the countless high reviews from Texas natives and BBQ aficionados from all around,” says founder and head pitmaster Bryon Mowrey. With a background in BBQ that spans over 13 years, Bryon credits Full Rack Barbecue’s “experience and desire for consistent quality” as what brings customers coming back for more. Full Rack Barbecue has perfected its brisket, offering a rich and smoky flavor that is a must-try. You can find burgers made of a brisket blend, classic sandwiches, loaded fries, mac and cheese, and more with this savory barbecue staple. This team’s dedication to consistency and quality is evident in every bite.
UNION WOODSHOP
18 South Main Street, Village of Clarkston
Union Woodshop is a popular spot for all things BBQ in the small downtown of Clarkston. You can get their brisket served traditionally with white bread, house pickles, and a side of slaw. Alternatively, take it to the next level and get it on a salad or pizza, including the Woodshop Pizza that’s topped with smoked chicken, pulled pork, chopped brisket, onion, a cheese blend, and Memphis BBQ sauce. The dedication to quality and craft at Union Woodshop is evident in every bite, making it a must-visit spot for brisket lovers.
WOODPILE BBQ SHACK
303 South Main Street, Clawson
630 East 11 Mile Road, Madison Heights
Woodpile BBQ Shack is a go-to barbecue spot known for its commitment to freshness and flavor. “Woodpile BBQ is a locally owned neighborhood BBQ joint that takes pride in smoking its meats fresh each day and making its sauces, sides, and desserts from scratch. Visit us next time you’re in need of the best brisket north of Texas!” shares Kelly Idzikowski, Operations Manager. For classics, visit the Clawson spot for combo platters and sandwiches, like the Brisket Reuben or The Woodpile, with pulled pork, cheddar jalapeño sausage, and candied bacon. The Madison Heights location has more adventurous offerings, brisket tacos, chili, coneys, nachos, and Corktown Taters (waffle fries or tots with chopped brisket, chili, cheddar cheese, and onions.)
K BLOCK’S BBQ
66880 Van Dyke Avenue, Washington
40 North Washington, Oxford
K Block’s BBQ brings great barbecue flavors to Metro Detroit with their family-owned and operated spot. Co-owner and Social Media Director Michelle Corbeille shares, “Owner and Pitmaster Brian Knoblock does Texas-style BBQ. We smoke ‘slow and low’ and our homemade sauces come on the side if needed. We’ve met with dozens of Texas Pitmasters and shared stories and secrets to making brisket that has the perfect bark, and smoke ring and offer our customers the option of ‘fatty or lean’ brisket. All rubs and sauces are homemade creations from over 30 years of personal recipes.” On the menu, you’ll find brisket fries, Reuben sandwiches, tacos, burgers with candied bacon, and a Texas grilled cheese with Jack, pimento, and cheddar cheeses. Best of luck trying to pick a favorite!
HOUSE OF BARBECUE
220 South Main Street, Clawson
House of Barbecue brings a fusion of traditional barbecue techniques and innovative flavors to their brisket offerings. The brisket here is smoked for more than 16 hours to achieve a deep, smoky flavor with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Promoting a ‘high-end culinary barbecue experience at a fraction of the cost’, this spot has burnt-end poutine and brisket barbecue salad, along with other flavor combinations like barbecue shrimp scampi, Caprese salad, and smoked tofu. Whether you’re in the mood for a simple brisket plate with sides or something a bit more creative, House of Barbecue delivers dishes that highlight rich, complex flavor pairings.
SLOWS BAR BQ
2138 Michigan Avenue, Detroit
4107 Cass Avenue, Detroit (Slows To Go)
Slows Bar BQ is a Detroit institution known for its slow-cooked, flavorful BBQ, and its brisket is no exception. For almost 20 years, Slows has offered a gourmet spin on barbecue. On the starter menu, you’ll find generous offerings of brisket, ranging from glazed double-smoked burnt ends and brisket enchiladas to chili cheese fries with brisket chili and on the Big Bar BQ Sampler, along with pulled pork, ribs, wings, and more. The American Dream burger is topped with it too, with applewood bacon, smoked cheddar, and their Texas-style BBQ sauce. For this mouthwatering barbecue main all on its own, you can order it in a combo, or sliced and chopped by the pound. Try any of these with their incredible homemade sauces.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on July 19, 2023, and was authored by Katie Goncalves.
