New in 2015. This place is outside of the small town of Climax in a former grocery store. The building is now half grocery store/meat market and half BBQ joint. Bowman's BBQ and Meat Market is an eclectic blend of operations. The BBQ menu is extensive offering pork, brisket, sausages, chicken, fried bologna and ribs. Ribs, brisket and rotisserie chicken are offered after 5pm. Great sides like baked beans, mac n cheese, potato salad and coleslaw. Don't forget wings, pizza and subs. Dessert can be the amaretto bread pudding which is great or go down to the ice cream area and try several flavors of Ashby's brand. I want to try the Rajun' Cajun' pizza next time or the ribs. I liked the pork sandwich with Carolina gold sauce on it. Oh, they also have a bar featuring 6 taps with a nice craft beer selection! You feel like you are having a indoor picnic. Nice place, nice people and worth the drive. Check out the guide for more details.

Since 2013. New to Kalamazoo, a Battle Creek mainstay has opened a second location. Hogzilla BBQ Pit brings real award winning pit BBQ to a new market. This place only has 2 or 3 tables and is mostly carryout. The menu is limited but offers some very good items like pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket and rib tips. You can also order 1/4 & 1/2 BBQ chicken or 1/4, 1/2 & full racks of spare ribs. They also offer smoked sausage, chicken wings and Friday catfish fry. I liked the sides as well, especially the mac & cheese. They also have coleslaw, potato salad, spaghetti & bbq baked beans. Cornbread is also good. I had the pulled pork which was very tender with their unique bbq sauce which seems more vinegar based than most in the area. I did request a hot bbq sauce which came out thick and it was as hot as I would want. They do offer a couple of salads with one including smoked chicken. I want to try that on my next visit.

Great new BBQ joint

This place is new in 2012. Redline BBQ Smokehouse & Catering in Battle Creek is worth driving to. Nice atmosphere and indoor seating area. This is the real deal BBQ place. Great pulled pork and brisket. Nice housemade sausages in several styles. Huge portions of ribs. Nice chicken and smoked pork chops. They offer four types of BBQ sauce. I added southern style greens to my sampler platter which were excellent. How about pulled pork nachos or stuffed smoked potato skins? Maybe a boudin link on redline rice? Bread pudding and cobbler for dessert. No alchohol. Very nice place with excellent food. You don't want to miss this one! Check out the guide for more details.

This place is in a building built in 1860!

This place is located on the main downtown shopping strip in St. Joseph. You can find excellent pulled pork and brisket at Pump House Grille which has great tin ceilings and a nice roomy atmosphere. The barbecue sauce has Dr. Pepper in it and is their own recipe. Very good! We also really enjoyed the giant onion rings that look like donuts. Full bar and full menu. Steaks, seafood, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Something for the whole family. I really want to try the ribs next visit, if I can resist going for the pulled pork again! This place has location, atmosphere and very good food. Check out the guide for more details.

BBQ in Harbor Country

This BBQ joint is near Warren Dunes and Sawyer. Right on Red Arrow Hwy it looks like a carryout place from the road. Once inside Smokin' Woodys Char-B-Q is a classic. Indoor seating is comfortable and they have a neat screened porch in back that makes you feel like you are down south. Great rib tips, smoked chicken and smoked sirloin lead the way, but don't miss the racks of ribs or the pulled pork sandwiches. They also have red hots, hot links and brats. The burger looked very good as well. Nice salads with their smoked meats on top as well as sides like corn on the cob, cole slaw and baked beans. You do not know what potato you will get so just go with it. No alcohol. Fun place for the family with lots of great BBQ. Check out the guide for more details.

Memphis style BBQ downtown

After spending a lot of time in Memphis, Mat Stedman learned to appreciate uncomplicated BBQ. He says "sometimes simpler is better". This place in downtown Jackson is called Mat's Cafe and Catering. You can smell the smokers going where the pulled pork is cooked for 12 hours then served on breads and buns baked in house. Great pulled pork sandwich! Make sure you grab a fork. Order at the counter then prepare to feast. Also known for their famous chicken gumbo. I also really liked the cornbread I got with my sandwich. Nice atmosphere, great food! Check the guide for more details.