The Top BBQ Restaurants in Des Moines Iowa: Why Smokey D’s BBQ Leads the Pack

When it comes to bbq restaurants in Des Moines Iowa, the options are growing—but only a few truly deliver the kind of smokehouse flavor that keeps you coming back. In a city where locals know good food, the bar is high. So when people say Smokey D’s is a must-visit, it’s not hype—it’s earned. With award-winning barbecue, real wood smoke, and scratch-made sides, Smokey D’s has carved out a place as a staple among Des Moines BBQ lovers.

This isn’t just another restaurant—it’s where tradition, competition-level techniques, and hometown pride meet.

What Sets BBQ Restaurants in Des Moines Iowa Apart?

Des Moines has a unique relationship with barbecue. While it’s not defined by one single regional style, the city appreciates the fundamentals: tender meat, smoke you can taste, and sides that feel homemade. It’s not about gimmicks—it’s about getting it right.

The best bbq restaurants in Des Moines Iowa offer consistency. Brisket that falls apart with a fork. Ribs with a bark that doesn’t need sauce. Pulled pork that’s never dry. Add in green bean casserole, cheesy potatoes, and BBQ beans, and you’ve got more than a meal—you’ve got a reason to keep coming back.

Smokey D’s stands at the center of that culture. It’s not just a place to eat—it’s a name that locals trust. That kind of reputation doesn’t come easy. It comes from day-in, day-out dedication to doing BBQ right.

Built on Competition, Perfected for the Neighborhood

Before Smokey D’s became one of the most talked-about bbq restaurants in Des Moines Iowa, it was a competition BBQ team. That background matters. Every technique, every recipe, and every flavor profile was shaped on the road—where the only goal was to win.

Today, that same mindset drives every smoked brisket, every rack of ribs, and every tray of burnt ends. It’s not just about turning tables—it’s about turning heads. We still believe in the details: trimming, seasoning, smoking, wrapping—all with care and precision.

And while some places cut corners when they grow, Smokey D’s hasn’t changed the recipe for success: wood-fired pits, fresh meat smoked daily, and a staff that knows BBQ inside and out.

Where You’ll Find Us—and What to Expect

Smokey D’s has multiple locations in Des Moines, but the focus never wavers: real barbecue, real fast, real good. Whether you're picking up takeout or sitting down for a meal, you get the same quality, portion size, and smoke-kissed flavor.

Visit our main location menu to check out what we’re smoking today.

From brisket and ribs to pulled chicken, turkey, and burnt ends, the core meats are always smoked on-site. And while the meats are front and center, our side dishes get just as much attention. Everything’s made from scratch, including customer favorites like mac & cheese, green bean casserole, and cheesy potatoes.

That’s part of why so many locals searching for bbq restaurants in Des Moines Iowa end up here. We offer more than great food—we offer something familiar, something you can count on.

Catering and Takeout for Every Occasion

Des Moines has plenty of BBQ spots, but not all of them scale up well. Whether you're feeding a group of 10 or 200, Smokey D’s makes it easy to serve real barbecue without sacrificing quality.

Our catering team works with you to build the right spread—ribs, brisket, pulled pork, turkey, sides, desserts, and more. The same food you’d get in-store, packed and ready to go, hot and fresh.

And if you just need something fast for lunch or dinner, our carry-out and curbside pickup options are dialed in. For those looking for the best BBQ in Des Moines, we’re just a click away.

Trusted by Locals, Backed by Awards

Smokey D’s has racked up more than just positive reviews. Our competition background has earned national attention—and we’ve brought that level of excellence back to Iowa.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. Ask around. Scroll the local forums. Read the reviews. Whether it’s a weekday lunch or a weekend dinner, you’ll hear the same thing: if you're looking for bbq restaurants in Des Moines Iowa, Smokey D’s should be your first stop.

Our staff knows regulars by name. Our pits burn daily. And our food tastes the same on a Tuesday night as it does on a Saturday afternoon. That’s how we’ve kept the standard high without losing the heart of a neighborhood BBQ joint.

Why BBQ Matters in Des Moines

Barbecue isn’t fast food—it’s food that takes time. That’s why we get started early every morning, smoking meat for hours before the doors even open. Our process is slow because it should be. There’s no substitute for time when it comes to true barbecue.

In a city like Des Moines, where people value honesty and quality, that extra effort matters. When you walk through the door, you know what you’re getting—because we’ve spent years making sure of it.

When people say Smokey D’s is the best BBQ in Des Moines, it’s not because we said so. It’s because we’ve proven it, meal after meal, plate after plate.

Choose BBQ That Speaks for Itself

Finding great bbq restaurants in Des Moines Iowa isn’t hard—but finding one that lives up to the hype, day in and day out, is rare.

Smokey D’s isn’t trying to be trendy. We’re trying to be consistent. And if that sounds like what you’re looking for, we invite you to stop by, order online, or let us handle your next event.

Barbecue should be bold, honest, and satisfying. That’s what we do here. That’s what keeps the doors open, the smoke rolling, and the customers coming back.

Thanks for considering Smokey D’s. We’re proud to serve Des Moines—and proud to do BBQ the right way.