As if you need an excuse to eat BBQ, May is National Barbecue Month. DC might not get the same respect as other cities when it comes to barbecue, but that doesn’t mean we lack in finger-licking-good barbecue joints. Here’s where you need to go to get your pulled pork, brisket and ribs fix.

When Tim Carman calls a place the District’s “best barbecue joint” you best get your butt over there to try it. DCity Smokehouse has everything on the menu…like, everything. You’ll find the traditional meats you’d expect at any BBQ restaurant (chicken, ribs, brisket) as well as sandwiches with pork belly and half-smokes. A must try? The chicken and waffles with cinnamon buttermilk waffles and crispy boneless chicken. (8 Florida Ave., NW; 202-733-1919)

Located in Cleveland Park, Fat Pete’s appeals to BBQ lovers no matter what your sauce or style preference is…because they offer six different sauces honoring regional BBQ styles around the country. Other reasons to come here? Items on the menu referred to as “BBQ Crack” (jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, topped with lil smokie sausage, all wrapped in bacon) and the Belly Buster sandwich (filled with bologna, pulled pork, brisket, candied bacon and mac and cheese). (3407 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-362-7777)

Doubling as a beer garden and purveyor of delicious BBQ, there’s really no reason you shouldn’t be spending every weekend minute here. Enjoy German and American beers by the liter along with your BBQ sandwiches (pulled pork or brisket). The side dishes here are just as essential as the mains. On your next trip here, you should definitely get the buttermilk onion rings and the battered/fried pickles. Just do it. (1801 14th St., NW; 202-797-9005)

Head to Hill Country for Texas-style barbecue in Penn Quarter. Order up your choice of meats by the pound and add on sides such as Longhorn Mac and Cheese, Campfire Baked Beans and Skillet Cornbread with honey butter. Come on Wednesdays for post-dinner entertainment in the form of Live Karaoke in the basement bar. (410 7th St., NW; 202-556-2050)

Smoke and Barrel
Smoke and Barrel in Adams Morgan is all about beer, bourbon and barbecue. Here you’ll find a rotating list of 24 draft beers, over 100 different bourbons and whiskeys and a dinner menu that will please any barbecue enthusiast. They have everything from ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked chicken, smoked sausage and smoked duck quarters. Not into meat? You’ll be pleasantly surprised with a large selection of vegan-friendly menu items including smoked vegan wings and vegan sandwiches. (2471 18th St., NW; 202-319-9353)