Forget what you might assume about barbecue in Connecticut—the scene is thriving, just with a more accessible twist. Exhibit A: a new smokehouse from the legendary Hoodoo Brown crew, now offering counter-service brisket and a bourbon-spiked sweet tea. Bear’s Smokehouse is expanding with a casual sibling, and the team behind Bloodroot brings vegan ‘cue under $15. Read about these, plus Texas-style joints and a new branch of the Black Duck family, below.
Hungry Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
$$ | (203) 292-3655 | WEBSITE
Hungry Pot is doing Korean barbecue, but they’re also going hot pot. The Bridgeport restaurant, with its interactive table setups, offers an all-you-can-eat experience featuring both Korean BBQ and hot pot options. Think tender beef bulgogi, spicy beef, and Szechuan broth with fresh seafood and shrimp. The servers are friendly and attentive, ensuring a pleasant visit while you cook your own meat at private tables.
Guests often enjoy using the white yum yum sauce with BBQ meat and lettuce, which adds full flavor to the meal. The place is clean, popular for casual nights out and special events, and the seafood soups come highly recommended. One minor note: the ventilation above tables could be better, so be mindful when grilling to avoid smoke.
Overall, Hungry Pot delivers a delicious, engaging Korean BBQ and hot pot experience at affordable prices—around $25–$35 per person—in a bright, modern space with comfortable seating that makes the meal feel like a festive occasion.
Yard Jerk
$ | (203) 612-4759 | WEBSITE
Yard Jerk, one of the more affordable Caribbean spots in Bridgeport, is a top pick for Fairfield County. Unlike some pricier places, it offers a la carte options, although there are lunch specials—served with proper portions—in addition to dishes like jerk chicken and stew chicken with rice & peas. The name is a nod to the Jamaican jerk tradition (spicy, smoky), where the flavors are consistently good.
DrewbaQ Food Truck & Smoke Shack
$ | (203) 880-5197 | WEBSITE
At DrewbaQ, a meal will go something like this: brisket with that perfectly seasoned bark, followed by BBQ fries, with pulled chicken or brisket quesadillas rounding things out, and maybe some house beans and cornbread for good measure. The hidden gem in Bridgeport serves up part food truck, part smoke shack, and all barbecue, with food that includes standout brisket, flavorful pulled pork, and sides like mac and cheese that receive high praise.
Uncle G’s Comfort Food
$ | (203) 612-8172 | WEBSITE
A cheese steak sandwich sounds promising. You can get one, once Uncle G’s opens in Bridgeport. The welcoming food truck experience, known for their best sandwiches and affordable prices, will also be serving things like mac and cheese and fresh donuts, alongside delicious fries and Oreo cookies as add-ons.
Drumstik Bar-B-Q
$ | (203) 374-6151 | WEBSITE
While Bridgeport has its share of chain barbecue spots, Drumstik Bar-B-Q has remained a local favorite for over 50 years. This highly-recommended restaurant offers a clean environment with friendly staff who make you feel welcome. The menu features delicious options like fried chicken, collard greens, coleslaw, and chicken livers, with the BBQ chicken and ribs being particularly fantastic. Sides include mac and cheese, yams, and deviled eggs, among others.
I recently enjoyed a four-piece meal with mac & cheese and yams, and was impressed by both the fantastic prices and amazing food. The atmosphere is casual—it feels like a “get-and-go” kind of place—but the quality is always impressive and thoroughly cooked through. Many visitors find it surpasses chain locations, ensuring they’ll return often.
LongHorn Steakhouse
$$ | (203) 944-9852 | WEBSITE
A classic American steakhouse in Bridgeport. Surely that must have been on your 2026 barbecue restaurant bingo card. LongHorn is known for its perfectly cooked steaks and baby back ribs, and it’ll have that astounding honey mustard chicken dish, with an extensive selection of grilled shrimp and Parmesan crusted chicken.
Taco Loco & Loco Catering Food Trucks
$$ | (203) 345-4437 | WEBSITE
Apparently, Bridgeport missed great barbecue. The team behind Taco Loco & Loco Catering Food Trucks—a longtime destination for steak and shrimp tacos—is serving excellent food with a great variety, including delicious BBQ and hors d’oeuvres. They’ll be doing quick service with fresh and delicious food in a space with mobile setups and event catering. Lots of tasty tacos will be present, as will bar services and top-notch service.
The Lazy Lobster
$$ | (475) 327-7020 | WEBSITE
The Lazy Lobster is staying busy. After perfecting their lobster roll over the years and adding the indoor-outdoor bar recently (let’s maybe not talk about running out of items occasionally), the spot behind Bridgeport’s coastal staple will be serving up seafood in the heart of a New England town vibe. Lobster-focused restaurant The Lazy Lobster will have homemade bread, a dog-friendly outdoor seating area, and a space inspired by small coastal towns.
Hair of the Dog
$$ | (203) 301-4455 | WEBSITE
What seems like just yesterday, there was a meme of a dog saying ‘good boy’ making the rounds online. It was from a viral video, and the sentiment perfectly captures the spirit of Hair of the Dog. Open with a fun, welcoming vibe, this Bridgeport spot recently embraced its dog-friendly identity fully, and it sounds like the experience has become more delightful than ever.
A team that clearly loves both people and pups serves up pun-filled comfort food, tasty cocktails, and lively patio dining all day long.
Bartone’s Apizza
$ | (203) 516-5843 | WEBSITE
A classic New Haven-style pizzeria serving true Italian-made, scratch pizza that feels like comfort food and smells like Italian heaven. The menu features generous portions of high-quality sausage and mushroom pizza, along with a unique Cheeseburger Pizza that tastes just like a cheeseburger. At $25, it’s about $15 less than other premium pizza spots in the area.
Diners praise the excellent atmosphere, friendly service, and exceptional pizza sauce, describing the pizza as phenomenal with a perfectly thin crust, flavorful sauce, and just the right amount of cheese. The restaurant has become a favorite spot for families and pizza lovers seeking a memorable meal with friendly service, with many visitors commenting that it’s the best pizza around, comparing it favorably to other places they’ve tried.
