Outlaw BBQ & Catering

As someone who's lived all over the South, it's hard for me to call any Spokane BBQ amazing — but Outlaw sits at the upper end of that list. A great happy-hour choice.

Outlaw BBQ runs two Spokane locations (North Spokane and Spokane Valley) plus a full catering operation, built around smoked brisket, ribs, and a smoked turkey that's unusual — and well-loved — for a BBQ joint. The from-scratch dessert case, via Desserts by Sara, gets mentioned nearly as often as the meat itself, especially the huckleberry and German chocolate cheesecakes.

This is genuinely the most divided restaurant on our whole list — some reviewers, including a self-described experienced BBQ judge, find the meat bland and more oven-baked than smoked, while others call it the best BBQ in the region. Worth trying for yourself and forming your own opinion, since the split in feedback is real and consistent.