Las Vegas barbecue, compared on the facts

Las Vegas barbecue splits neatly in two: one big-name room on the Strip, and several smokehouses a short drive away. Here are five locations from four barbecue businesses, with facts copied from each one’s website on November 1, 2026.

Short answer: For barbecue on the Strip, Virgil’s at The LINQ (open until midnight or 1 AM). For Texas-style smoke in the Arts District, SoulBelly. For a meat market with a grill attached, John Mull’s in the northwest. For several locations including the stadium, Rollin Smoke.

On the Strip or off it

What each one says about itself

• SoulBelly BBQ lists its cuisine as Texas and American barbecue and suggests first-timers start with brisket, a sausage link and a side.
• Rollin Smoke describes hickory-smoked, Southern-style barbecue.
• Rick’s Rollin Smoke Barbeque & Tavern at Pawn Plaza ties itself to Pawn Stars and lists happy hours Sunday to Thursday.
• Virgil’s pitches Southern barbecue and craft beer, within walking distance of the Bellagio fountains, and has a sister Italian restaurant, Carmine’s, at The Forum Shops.
• John Mull’s says it was featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and that its market prices match or beat grocery and warehouse stores. That’s the shop’s claim, not ours.

What people ask about online

On r/LasVegas, “best BBQ” threads reliably turn into lists of off-Strip names rather than a single winner. We haven’t eaten at any of these for a review yet; under our review rules, a ranked list only appears after paid, in-person visits. Buying meat to smoke yourself? See our Las Vegas butcher shop guide.