Portland BBQ Joint Recognized as Maine's Best by National Food Website

Wilson County Barbecue in Portland's Bayside neighborhood is named Maine's top BBQ spot by LoveFood.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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According to the popular food website LoveFood, the best barbecue restaurant in the state of Maine is Wilson County Barbecue in Portland. The Carolina-style BBQ joint, which specializes in smoked whole hog and delicious biscuits, has been recognized for its high-quality 'cue and unique cocktail menu since opening in 2020.

Why it matters

The recognition from a national food website highlights the growing popularity of barbecue across the country, even in states not traditionally known for their 'cue. It also showcases how a small, local business in Portland can gain national attention for its exceptional food and hospitality.

The details

Wilson County Barbecue, located in Portland's trendy Bayside neighborhood, has been serving up Carolina-style barbecue since 2020. The restaurant specializes in smoked whole hog, which is cooked to perfection, as well as delicious biscuits that are so popular they have a sign in the window to alert customers when they are fresh out of the oven. In addition to the high-quality 'cue, Wilson County also has a creative cocktail menu that customers can enjoy inside the modern industrial setting or on the large outdoor patio.

  • Wilson County Barbecue opened in early 2020.
  • LoveFood published its article naming Wilson County Barbecue the best BBQ in Maine in February 2026.

The players

Wilson County Barbecue

A Carolina-style barbecue restaurant located in Portland's Bayside neighborhood that specializes in smoked whole hog and delicious biscuits.

LoveFood

A popular national food website that recently published an article naming the best barbecue restaurant in each U.S. state.

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The takeaway

The recognition of Wilson County Barbecue as Maine's best BBQ joint by a national food website highlights how the popularity of barbecue has spread across the country, even to states not traditionally known for their 'cue. It also showcases how a small, local business in Portland can gain national attention for its exceptional food and hospitality.