Although Dexter is a few minutes west of Ann Arbor, diners at Hotel Hickman Chuckwagon are transported much further with its unabashed cowboy-themed decor and employees’ attire. The menu is based on “authentic chuckwagon cooking” with smoked brisket, sausage, and pork along with side dishes and desserts cooked in cast iron pots and pans.

Aamani serves eatery serves smoked pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken from an small, easy-to-miss space behind a party store. The meats are tender and juicy, but the house-made sides and sauces are what stand out most. Try the smoked cherry and horseradish sauce and the cornbread that’s lightly toasted and slathered in butter.

This second outlet of the popular downtown Chelsea spot serves ribs, brisket, and pulled pork with several different sauces and sides. The full bar features a strong selection of bourbon and whiskey-based cocktails.

A former downtown Saline church is the stunning setting for this brewpub with over a dozen beers crafted and served on premises. While barbecue isn’t the focus of the menu, their smoked chicken legs and pulled pork mac-n-cheese are worth the short trek out of Ann Arbor.

This popular barbecue restaurant has been serving Southern classics like smoked chicken, ribs, brisket and kielbasa along with a variety of housemade sauces and side dishes. The second location recently opened and is a convenient lunch option for those working downtown.

Biercamp is a popular stop for meatlovers to grab house-made sausages, jerky, bacon, and beer. Pulled pork and smoked brisket sandwiches join their artisan sandwiches for the lunchtime crowd.

Ricewood’s offerings are as unique as they are often hard to get. Instead of the usual sauces and sides, smoked meats are served Chamorro-style over rice and with a spicy finadene (soy, vinegar, peppers, and scallions) sauce. Get there early as the restaurant often sells out in less than an hour.

Beer and barbecue go well together and downtown Ypsilanti’s Red Rock has wide varieties of both. The menu features dozens of sandwiches and entrees and over 35 craft beers and ciders on tap and in bottles. The burnt ends, tips of brisket smoked twice and topped with jalapeños, are a terrific way to start a meal.