Sugarfire Smoke House (multiple locations including 9200 Olive Boulevard, Olivette; 314-997-2301) is a perennial readers' choice favorite for best barbecue, as well as a strong contender in the increasingly crowded fast-casual category. And rightly so: What could be faster or more efficient than going through Sugarfire's cafeteria-style line and choosing among the numerous cuts of smoked meat and creative sides?. The only thing that might slow your journey toward overeating is the way Mike Johnson's growing chain comes up with new and intriguing options on every visit.

Sugarfire has etched its name into the heart of St. Louis' culinary scene with a chef-driven approach that extracts the best traditions from across the United States to craft a unique St. Louis BBQ experience. Under the guidance of chef Mike Johnson — who has an impressive resumé that includes working with the legendary Emeril Lagasse — Sugarfire has amassed local and national awards. Beyond the conventional offerings, Sugarfire's menu features inventive creations such as meaty mashups and a delectable range of homemade sauces that elevate the barbecue experience.

This Thanksgiving, skip the stress and let Sugarfire smoke the bird. The local smokehouse will offer whole smoked turkey and smoked turkey breast, and then you can spring for sides – think housemade cornbread, mashed potatoes with gravy, green bean casserole, sage stuffing, sweet potato casserole and cranberry chutney. All sides come in single, pint, quart and gallon sizes, and you can call to place your order anytime before Nov. 24 for pickup on Thanksgiving.

Sugarfire Smoke House is the place to go for unique sandwiches, meals, and more made from some of the best meat in the state. Any of the specialties is sure to be a delight, but our personal favorite is the Big Muddy brisket sandwich packed with smoked sausage, BBQ, and horseradish sauce. If you’re a vegetarian, you don’t have to miss out on the fun; for a tasty meal, order the smoked portobello sandwich with balsamic onions.

One of the top requirements for a paleo diet is protein that can be sourced similarly to hunter-gatherers in the Paleolithic era. Sugarfire Smoke House is home to an award-winning barbecue menu, from delicate brisket to juicy pork, making it a haven for paleo eaters. Virtually everything can be made paleo-friendly, too, by simply asking for the burger buns to be replaced with romaine lettuce.

When it comes to Missouri barbecue, most people's thoughts go straight to Kansas City, but St. Louis-style barbecue is worth considering, too. Order the baby back ribs, PBLT (a BLT with pimento), the brisket cheesesteak, and more at Sugarfire Smoke House. The Mike Johnson-founded chain has 12 locations in Missouri, most of which are clustered in and around the greater St. Louis area.

For American comfort food like burgers, wings and nachos, dine at Hendel's Restaurant & Market, Gourmet Soul or Stacked STL. And if you're looking for a quintessential rack of St. Louis-style ribs (which are slathered in sweet barbecue sauce before cooking on a grill), head to local barbecue hot spots, such as Bogart's Smokehouse, Pappy's Smokehouse or Sugarfire Smoke House.

IN A NUTSHELL: After learning from the likes of Emeril Lagasse and Charlie Trotter, Mike Johnson opened his own casual concept. “Barbecue is more challenging than any other type of cooking—and it’s not even close,” he told us over a decade ago, after launching Sugarfire Smoke House. Today, Sugarfire has more a dozen locations, in St. Louis and as far away as Colorado.

They do things differently by taking the best of the best barbecue across the nation to create a St. Louis style barbecue that’s all its own. Their award-winning barbecue roster boasts baby back ribs, juicy pulled pork, and the best beef brisket in town. The dining room is now open, or call for carryout, curbside or delivery from the restaurant.

Since you started at Pappy’s, the best place to go next is the Sugarfire location downtown. Pappy’s is located on the west side of downtown St. Louis in an area known as Midtown, and Sugarfire has a location directly downtown at the corner of Washington and 6th Street, only 23 blocks from Pappy’s. Sugarfire Smokehouse has all kinds of barbeque.

Sugarfire Smoke House is a kid-friendly restaurant in St. Louis that offers a delicious and diverse menu for the whole family. The restaurant is known for its mouthwatering barbecue offerings, which are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Kids will love the variety of smoked meats, including tender pulled pork and juicy brisket.

They take the best traditions of the best barbecue cities in the U.S.A. to create a St. Louis-style barbecue that’s all its own. Award-winning barbecue tantalizes taste buds with baby back ribs, juicy pulled pork, and the best beef brisket in town. Famous for specials like meaty mashups that defy logic and even gravity.

Chef Mike Johnson and Carolyn Downs of Cyrano’s came together to create Sugarfire Smoke House and now they’re in three locations in and around St. Louis. They’re best known for their brisket, Memphis-style ribs and grass-fed burgers, but they don’t skimp on the sides and milkshakes either.

Since Pappy’s was closed, our Uber driver recommended Sugarfire, another very popular spot in St. Louis that serves barbecue. Everything we ate was delicious. If you have a hankering for something sweet, the chocolate peanut butter bourbon milk shake was our favorite thing we tried.

Taking the traditions of the finest barbecue cities in the U.S., Sugarfire has created a St. Louis style barbecue that is wholly unique. Enjoy baby back ribs, pulled pork, and some seriously fine brisket. With plenty of sides to accompany your barbecue, you will not leave hungry.

Several people who voted for Pappy’s as the best barbecue spot also voted for Sugarfire as the second best. On its website, Sugarfire staff said they are ‘reinventing barbecue.’. “Our award-winning barbeque tantalizes taste buds,” the barbecue joint said.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,198 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Barbecue- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 605 Washington Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63101-1207- Read more on Tripadvisor

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,195 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)– Type of cuisine: American, Barbecue– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 605 Washington Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63101-1207– Read more on Tripadvisor

Check out Sugarfire Smoke House for the best mix of traditional and modern barbecue ingredients and methods. The award-winning eatery has been named Best Barbecue by the Travel Channel and featured on “Beat Bobby Flay.

The barbecue hot spot turns out a vegetarian-friendly sandwich: a messy smoked-portobello take on the classic Big Mac. And for a new take on pie à la mode, choose your favorite pie flavor—blended into a shake.

Sugarfire Smoke House won the World Food Championships “Best Sandwich in the World”. With an accolade like that, they better bring it!!. This is a cafeteria style eatery and can get you in and out quickly.

In addition to Pappy’s, above, and Salt + Smoke, below, Sugarfire Smoke House, with a whole slew of awards under their belt, should also be on your St. Louis bbq restaurant list.

As legend has it, this midwestern city consumes more BBQ sauce per person than any other place. Sugarfire Smoke House is partially to blame.

They opened an original store about five years ago and they have six locations. I think the pork there is really tasty.

Bridge Tap House and Wine Bar – 1004 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO – Phone (314) 241-1306 – 4.5 Star with 335 Reviews