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.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 8:39pm

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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.