Best BBQ in Westchester: 6 Barbeque Restaurants for Westchester Families

5/10/14 - By Christi O'Donnell

Barbeque is, in my opinion, one of the best and easiest meal options for kids. It’s messy. It’s eaten with your bare hands. It comes with French fries and mac and cheese and, in many cases, it is soft and saucy and perfect for outdoor gatherings.

We are constantly on the lookout for the best places to eat with kids throughout Westchester. Now, in anticipation of Memorial Day, Mommy Poppins has scouted out six of our favorite BBQ restaurants in the county. Whether you’re eating in, carrying out or looking to avoid leaving your lawn chair, these restaurants have got you covered.

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Q - Port Chester
112 Main Street
Voted by Westchester Magazine readers to be the best BBQ in Westchester County, Q is a must-stop spot for all things smoked and slathered in sauce. The restaurant’s casual atmosphere is perfect for families and the menu is so all encompassing that it includes nut free, gluten free and even meat free selections. Children’s menu options are set up in a simple choose your entrée+side+cornbread+drink+dessert format, and no combination runs parents more than $10. In fact, on Wednesdays, kids eat FREE!

New York Firehouse Grille - Peekskill
63 Welcher Avenue
Our family loves the Firehouse Grille. Fantastic for families dining in or taking out, this restaurant caters to kids with bright red fire-hats, crayons, and a mix-and-match kids menu for less adventurous eaters while providing grown-ups with delicious BBQ, wings and other house specialties. The portions are generous and the service friendly and the attached bar provides just enough noise that you don’t feel self conscious when little ones raise their voices a few times. Members of the police force, firefighters, paramedics and teachers receive 10% off all meals with appropriate ID, and dollar-off coupons often run in the local Clipper Magazine. I know it’s not technically BBQ, but try the dry-rub house wings. They’re delicious.

Memphis Mae’s - Croton-on-Hudson
173 South Riverside Avenue
This Northern Westchester staple is another Westchester Magazine best-best for BBQ take-out or families with older children. The flavors and are spot on--spicy when they should be spicy, sweet when they should be sweet, but the wait can sometimes be a bit long for toddlers and preschoolers. The menu is largely the same for dine-in and take-out, and there are lots of options for folks looking to go gluten-free. Children’s items include Southern specialties like Cornmeal Crusted Catfish Fingers, quarter Rack of Ribs and Pulled Chicken. If you like spicy foods, try the Jalapeño Bottlecap appetizer--deep fried breaded jalapeño pepper in a white BBQ sauce.

Ribs On The Run - White Plains
396 Central Park Avenue
Ribs On The Run does it all…dine in, take out and FREE local delivery on orders over $15. The ribs here are the stars of the show; they come in half racks and full racks, baby back or St. Louis style, pork or beef. The restaurant offers several possible dinner combinations, or make your own from their extensive menu (I’m partial to the ribs and buffalo wing combination!). Always check the “Promotion” tab online before ordering for discounts and free food!

BBQ Rib House - Mount Vernon
529 Gramatan Avenue
This no-frills storefront BBQ joint on Gramatan Ave in downtown Fleetwood has been specializing in grab-and-go ribs, chicken, sides and specials for over 18 years. The menu is a bit more eclectic than many other barbecue restaurants; alongside the standard St. Louis style ribs, cornbread, BBQ chicken, and pulled pork, the chefs also offer selections like Rib House Gyros, Rib House Tacos and Rib House Shish Kabobs. Rib House delivers as far north as Scarsdale and as far south as Pelham. Pick up one of their to-go menus for special savings coupons.

D&A Smokehouse - Scarsdale
749 Central Park Avenue
The menu at D&A Smokehouse is short, but all BBQ--even the salad comes with grilled bacon. Brisket, wings, pulled pork, ribs and chicken in a variety of combinations are paired with classic sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, collard greens and cornbread. Make your order to-go or eat in their kid-friendly rustic-style restaurant; either way, you’re guaranteed some good meats.

Check out our kid-friendly Restaurant Guide for more dining ideas. 

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