Ohio’s barbecue scene tends to reward curiosity far more than blind brand loyalty, and that’s exactly where the real fun begins, once you stop chasing names and start following smells, side streets, and casual local advice.
The most persuasive pits here rarely sit front and center.
They hide beside breweries where smoke mingles with hops, tuck in near interstates where only the faithful pull off, or hum quietly in neighborhoods where the fire has been burning long enough to feel like part of the block…