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BBQ · St. Louis, MO

Pappy's Smokehouse Menu 2026: BBQ, Ribs & St. Louis Favorites

Full Pappy's Smokehouse menu for 2026 -- every category from the St. Louis BBQ legend that sells out every single day. Memphis-style dry-rub ribs smoked over apple and cherry wood, pulled pork, brisket, and the regional specialty snoots. Below: the menu breakdown, what to order, what to expect on arrival, and how Pappy's stacks up against other great American BBQ joints.

St. Louis, MOMemphis-style dry-rub ribsSells out daily -- arrive earlyApple & cherry wood smokeVoted best BBQ in St. Louis
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Baby Back RibsSignature
Pulled PorkFan favorite
BrisketSmoked daily
Pulled Pork SandwichLunch staple
SnootsSt. Louis specialty
Jump to: What to order The full menu Arrival tips BBQ comparison Related BBQ FAQ
Quick answers

What you need to know about Pappy's Smokehouse

Four things every first-timer should know before making the trip to St. Louis.

Signature item
Baby Back Ribs

Memphis dry-rub, smoked over apple and cherry wood. Sells out first -- arrive early.

Best for groups
3-Meat Combo

Choose three smoked meats with two sides. Best way to sample the menu in one visit.

Regional specialty
Snoots

St. Louis BBQ tradition -- crispy smoked pork snoots. Not found at most BBQ joints outside the region.

Arrive by
11 AM -- noon

Pappy's sells out every day. Popular cuts like ribs and brisket go first. Lines are part of the experience.

What to order

The 6 must-order items at Pappy's Smokehouse

Pappy's is a meat-first operation. These six items represent the full range of what makes a visit worthwhile -- from the signature ribs to the St. Louis-only regional specialty.

  1. 1Baby Back Ribs (half rack)The undisputed reason to visit. Dry-rubbed, fruit-wood smoked, no sauce needed.Market price
  2. 2Pulled Pork PlateTender, smoky, hand-pulled. Great if ribs sell out before you arrive.Market price
  3. 3BrisketSliced to order, with a deep smoke ring. Texas-style but Pappy-fied.Market price
  4. 42-Meat ComboBest way to try both ribs and a second meat in one visit.Market price
  5. 5SnootsA true St. Louis experience. Crispy, smoky, and unlike anything at most BBQ joints.Market price
  6. 6Banana PuddingClassic Southern finish. Save room.Market price
Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All Pappy's menu categories with item counts.

Smoked Meats (by the plate)5 itemsCombo Plates2 itemsSandwiches3 itemsSides6 itemsDesserts1 itemDrinks3 items
The full menu

Every item on the Pappy's Smokehouse menu

All categories below. Meats, combo plates, sandwiches, sides, and drinks. Prices are not published online -- see note below.

About prices. Pappy's Smokehouse does not publish menu prices online. No prices are shown on this page. For current pricing, visit the restaurant at 3106 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103, or check the official website at pappyssmokehouse.com. Portions are generous; expect casual BBQ pricing consistent with a high-quality independent smokehouse.
Arrival tips

How to visit Pappy's Smokehouse without missing out

Pappy's sells out every single day. These six tips will save your visit.

Most important

Arrive by noon

Pappy's opens at 11 AM and sells out -- sometimes by 2 PM, sometimes earlier on weekends. Aim for 11 AM to 12 PM to guarantee your first choice of meats.

Ribs go first

Baby back ribs sell out earliest

The signature baby back ribs are the most popular item. If you're coming specifically for ribs, the earlier the better -- pulled pork and brisket tend to last longer.

No reservations

First come, first served

Pappy's does not take reservations. The line forms before opening. It moves quickly and is part of the experience. Bring cash or card -- both are accepted.

Call ahead

Check before you drive

If you're making a special trip, call ahead to confirm they're still open and which meats remain. Pappy's closes the moment the meat runs out -- there is no set closing time.

Weekday vs. weekend

Weekdays are easier

Friday and Saturday see the longest lines and earliest sellouts. A Tuesday or Wednesday visit is the low-resistance path to securing your preferred cuts.

Order smart

Combo plates maximize value

The 2-meat and 3-meat combos include sides and bread, giving you the widest sample of the menu in a single order. Ideal for a first visit.

The smoke

Apple and cherry wood: what it means for your ribs

Most BBQ legends pick a house wood and stick with it. Pappy's smokes over a blend of apple and cherry wood -- both fruit trees that burn clean and impart a sweeter, milder smoke character than the hickory or mesquite common across Texas and the South.

The result is a rib with a delicate smoke ring, a bark built on the dry rub rather than sauce caramelization, and a finish that lets the pork flavor stay in front. It's the defining choice that separates Pappy's style from Kansas City, Texas, and Carolinas BBQ and ties it firmly to the Memphis tradition.

  • Apple wood: mild, sweet, slightly fruity smoke
  • Cherry wood: rich color, slightly tart, clean burn
  • Low and slow: hours of smoke at low temperature for tenderness
  • Dry rub, not sauce: the bark is the seasoning -- sauce is on the side
  • Memphis tradition: ribs judged on smoke, rub, and texture -- not glaze
BBQ comparison

How Pappy's Smokehouse compares to other top American BBQ joints

Pappy's sits alongside Franklin BBQ and Gates Bar-B-Q as one of America's most-discussed BBQ destinations. Here's how the styles and operations differ.

CategoryPappy's SmokehouseFranklin BBQGates Bar-B-QDinosaur Bar-B-Que
LocationSt. Louis, MOAustin, TXKansas City, MOSyracuse / NYC
StyleMemphis dry-rubCentral TexasKansas City saucedSouthern / NY
Famous forDry-rub ribsBrisketRibs + sauceRibs, pulled pork
Smoke woodApple + cherryPost oakMixed hardwoodHickory
Sells out?Yes, dailyYes, dailyNoNo
ReservationsNoNoNoNo

Pappy's and Franklin BBQ both operate sell-out daily models -- arrive early or risk missing your preferred cuts. Gates is a Kansas City institution with no sellout model and sauce-forward ribs. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que brings a Southern roadhouse style to the Northeast.

About Pappy's Smokehouse

St. Louis's most beloved BBQ -- one location, every day, until it's gone.

Pappy's Smokehouse opened in the Midtown neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri and quickly earned a reputation as one of the best BBQ restaurants in the United States. The concept is straightforward: Memphis-style dry-rub ribs and a full complement of smoked meats, slow-cooked daily over apple and cherry wood, served until they run out.

The sell-out-daily model is a feature, not a bug. It enforces freshness and creates a pilgrimage culture -- people plan St. Louis trips around a Pappy's visit the way food travelers plan Austin trips around Franklin Barbecue. Pappy's has been voted the best BBQ in St. Louis by regional and national publications consistently over the years and maintains one of the strongest local followings of any independent restaurant in Missouri.

There is one location. No franchise. No frozen product. Just smoke, rub, and time.

1Location (St. Louis)
DailySells out every day
2Smoke woods (apple + cherry)
#1Voted best BBQ in St. Louis
Common questions

Pappy's Smokehouse -- frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about Pappy's Smokehouse, their menu, hours, and what to expect on your visit.

What is Pappy's Smokehouse famous for?

Pappy's Smokehouse is famous for its Memphis-style dry-rub ribs slow-smoked over apple and cherry wood in St. Louis, MO. The restaurant has been voted the best BBQ in St. Louis consistently and is widely regarded as one of the top BBQ destinations in the country. The ribs are their signature item, but the pulled pork and brisket are equally beloved.

What time does Pappy's Smokehouse open and close?

Pappy's Smokehouse typically opens at 11 AM and stays open until sold out -- which can be as early as mid-afternoon on busy days. They do not keep traditional closing hours; once the smoked meats run out, the restaurant closes for the day. Arriving by noon or earlier is strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

Do I need to arrive early at Pappy's Smokehouse?

Yes. Pappy's sells out every single day, and popular cuts like baby back ribs and brisket often go first. Arriving by 11 AM to noon is highly recommended, especially on Friday, Saturday, or holiday weekends. Long lines are common and considered part of the experience. Call ahead to ask about current availability.

What style of BBQ does Pappy's serve?

Pappy's serves Memphis-style BBQ with a St. Louis twist. Their ribs are dry-rubbed (not sauced) and smoked low and slow over apple and cherry wood -- a technique associated with Memphis pit masters. St. Louis regional specialties like snoots also appear on the menu. Sauce is available on the side, but the dry rub is the main event.

Where is Pappy's Smokehouse located?

Pappy's Smokehouse is located at 3106 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103, in the Midtown neighborhood. There is one location. Use the official website at pappyssmokehouse.com for current hours and any special closures.

Does Pappy's Smokehouse have vegetarian options?

Pappy's is a meat-focused BBQ restaurant and most of the menu revolves around smoked meats. That said, several sides are vegetarian, including coleslaw, mac and cheese, potato salad, sweet potato fries, and corn on the cob. Vegetarians dining with BBQ fans can put together a solid sides-only meal, though the main attraction is the smoked meat.

What wood does Pappy's use to smoke their meat?

Pappy's Smokehouse slow-smokes their meats over a combination of apple and cherry wood. These fruit woods burn cleaner and impart a sweeter, milder smoke flavor than hickory or mesquite -- a hallmark of the Memphis style that makes Pappy's ribs notably approachable and not overpowering in smokiness.

How does Pappy's compare to other famous BBQ restaurants?

Pappy's Smokehouse is frequently mentioned alongside Franklin Barbecue (Austin, TX) and Gates Bar-B-Q (Kansas City, MO) as one of the best BBQ restaurants in the United States. While Franklin is known for Central Texas-style brisket and Gates for KC-style sauced ribs, Pappy's distinction is the Memphis dry-rub rib technique applied with St. Louis ingredients and character. Multiple national publications and food critics have ranked it among the top BBQ destinations in America.

Does Pappy's Smokehouse take reservations?

No. Pappy's Smokehouse is a first-come, first-served restaurant with no reservations. The line forms before opening and moves quickly once the doors open. Seating is casual and communal. Check the official website or call ahead on busy days to confirm they are still open and serving before making a trip.

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