Best BBQ restaurants in Lake Mary
These are the seven highest-scoring BBQ restaurants in Lake Mary, ranked by an earned composite score built from ratings, review volume, and sentiment, explained in our methodology.
Picks are ranked by score and relevance to bbq restaraunt, so a lower overall score can rank higher here.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keller's Real Smoked Bar-B-Q Lake Mary | 80 | 4.4 (937) | moderate | Classic smoked BBQ, fast turnaround |
| 2 | MISSION BBQ | 88 | 4.7 (282) | moderate | All-round smokehouse with top hospitality |
| 3 | Duffy's Sports Grill | 84 | 4.4 (2735) | moderate | Sports-bar dining with fresh seafood |
| 4 | Shula’s 347 Grill (The Westin Lake Mary) | 81 | 4.2 (1264) | expensive | Upscale steak and short rib nights |
| 5 | 4th Street Bar & Grill | 80 | 4.4 (1791) | moderate | Wings, patio seating, and live music |
| 6 | Keys Q BBQ Company | 56 | 5 (11) | — | Small-batch catering and standout sides |
| 7 | Gator's Dockside Lake Mary | 75 | 4.1 (1624) | moderate | Wing deals and family events |
Ranked picks
Keller's Real Smoked Bar-B-Q Lake Mary
Why it ranks first
Keller's has built a loyal following on tender smoked pork and homemade sauces, backed by a strong volume of reviews for a single Lake Mary location. Regulars specifically call out the sliced pork over the pulled, and the scratch-made sides keep people ordering the same plate twice. Service is usually quick, with some reporting food out in under 10 minutes.
Pros
- Tender smoked sliced pork, a regular favorite over pulled
- Homemade barbecue sauces made from family recipes
- Scratch-made sides
- Fast counter service, often under 10 minutes
Services: smokehouse bbq, texas style bbq, bbq catering, rib house · Price: moderate
MISSION BBQ
Why it ranks second
MISSION BBQ posts the strongest composite score on this list, built on a high rating across a solid review base. Brisket, pulled pork, and the housemade mac and cheese draw consistent praise, and portions are described as exceeding the price point. What sets it apart is staff who remember regulars by name and treat first-timers the same way.
Pros
- Tender, well-seasoned brisket and pulled pork
- Generous portions for the price
- Staff hospitality that stands out even among positive reviews
- Housemade mac and cheese with a cheese blend and toasted topping
Services: smokehouse bbq, bbq food truck, bbq catering, carolina style bbq · Price: moderate
Duffy's Sports Grill
Why it ranks third
Duffy's carries the highest review volume on this list by a wide margin, and sentiment around the staff is especially strong, with servers named and praised individually for attentive, unobtrusive service. The all-you-can-eat fish baskets are the standout order, and the daily 2-for-1 drink special anchors the value case. It's a dependable pick for game-day groups who want a family-friendly sports bar feel.
Pros
- Servers know regulars by name and anticipate needs
- All-you-can-eat fish baskets, praised for freshness and crispness
- 2-for-1 drink special every day
- Spacious, energetic game-watching setup
Services: smokehouse bbq · Price: moderate
Shula’s 347 Grill (The Westin Lake Mary)
Why it ranks fourth
Inside the Westin, Shula's 347 Grill earns a high composite score driven largely by sentiment, with reviewers naming staff like Bridgett, David, and Chef Justin for consistently attentive, personal service. Short ribs and steaks come up repeatedly as cooked exactly right, and the happy hour flight of mini drinks gives it an extra reason to return. It reads as a hotel restaurant that built real repeat business rather than just hotel foot traffic.
Pros
- Named staff repeatedly praised for personal attention
- Consistent quality on short ribs and steaks
- Generous portions
- Happy hour flight specials offer strong value
Services: bbq buffet, rib house, korean asian bbq, smokehouse bbq · Price: expensive
4th Street Bar & Grill
Why it ranks fifth
4th Street pulls in a large volume of reviews for its downtown Lake Mary location, with wings as the clear highlight, especially the spicy peach and BBQ flavors. Staff members like Brandon, Kenny, and Devin get called out for attentiveness and allergy awareness, and the patio with weekend live entertainment gives it a distinct family draw. A recent menu revamp has also made ordering more straightforward according to recent visits.
Pros
- Crispy wings in signature flavors like spicy peach and BBQ
- Allergy-aware bar staff
- Patio seating with weekend live entertainment
- Clean bathrooms and dining space
Services: bbq buffet, smokehouse bbq · Price: moderate
Keys Q BBQ Company
Why it ranks sixth
Keys Q BBQ is a lower-volume listing, just 11 reviews so far, but every one of them is five stars, and the detail in the feedback (mango slaw, homemade sauces, brisket and ribs) points to a genuinely dialed-in kitchen. Owner Armando gets singled out repeatedly for attention to detail, and catering for corporate events comes up as a particular strength. Worth watching as more reviews come in.
Pros
- Tender, flavorful meat across proteins
- Homemade sauces and distinctive sides like mango slaw and mac and cheese
- Strong track record for corporate catering
- Owner known for hands-on attention to detail
Services: bbq food truck, bbq catering, bbq buffet, carolina style bbq
Gator's Dockside Lake Mary
Why it ranks seventh
Gator's Dockside draws a large review base for Lake Mary, and the breaded dry-rub wings are the consistent standout, helped along by an unlimited boneless wing deal. Staff like Jeana and Lauren earn repeat mentions for attentiveness, and Tuesday's kids-eat-free deal makes it an easy family pick. Service is generally described as warm and quick.
Pros
- Breaded dry-rub wings praised consistently
- Unlimited boneless wing deal
- Named staff noted for attentiveness
- Kids eat free on Tuesdays
Services: bbq catering, bbq buffet, smokehouse bbq · Price: moderate