If you’re like me and don’t want to deal with lighter fluid and coals amid excessive 4th of July drinking and festivities, consider satisfying your barbecue cravings at one of these fine establishments this Independence Day weekend.

1. Bill & Tim’s Barbecue

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Photo courtesy of @taehoontykim on Instagram

Bill & Tim’s is in great proximity to campus and has a great array of side options, ranging from the dankest mac ‘n cheese to a refreshing cucumber salad. The Half Rack of Ribs Plate for $14 is always my go-to and you have to finish with a piece of one of their Ice Cream Pies!

2. Papa’s Soul Food Kitchen

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Photo courtesy of ngaio420 on Instagram

Known as one of the best BBQ spots in town, Papa’s Soul Food always satisfies your comfort food cravings with a bounty of pulled and smoked meats. People are obsessed with the mac ‘n cheese and pulled pork sandwich, however, we recommend trying one of the off the menu specials, the Soul Burger, with a seasoned pork patty and andouille sausage, YUM!

3. All Aboard Bar B Que

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Photo courtesy of All Aboard Bar-B-Que Facebook page

This food truck is located in the Beergarden on West 6th Ave, but the food trucks have all ages access and outdoor seating. People flock to this cart for the Applegater sandwich, stuffed with paprika spiced apples, Tillamook Cheddar cheese and homemade Black Butte Porter BBQ sauce featured above.

4. Lani Moku Grill

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Photo courtesy of Wing L. on Yelp

This food truck is also located in the Beergarden and offers some grilled meats with Hawaiian flair. The Mixed Plate gets you any two types of meat for $8 and you have to try one of the homemade desserts like the Kickin’ Kona Brownie or the Chantilly Cakes.

5. Dark Side of the Q

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Photo courtesy of Darkside of the Q Facebook Page

This food truck spends every weekday at 8th and Olive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. serving up mouthwatering meats that can all be put on a sandwich. Along with a 3 Meat Combo Plate for only $9 with a choice of two sides like their famous Cornbread Waffle or the seasonal Corn Cobette.

 

Now go fourth and spend this lovely weekend sampling some all-American cuisine with friends and family and leave the grilling up to the professionals.