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Billy Sims Barbecue

6401 Northwest Expressway
Oklahoma City, OK
(405) 470-8488

Billy Sims Barbecue in Oklahoma City

Barbecue may be one of the top two or three "must try" cuisines in Oklahoma, but with so many choices it is not an easy matter to recommend one specific restaurant. In the case of Billy Sims restaurant I have no hesitation recommending it (although not to the exclusion of some other very good choices). I would hate for visitors to come to Oklahoma and be disappointed by the "Q" (which, along with Texas, Kansas City, and the South, has become the standard of excellence). So far I have not been disappointed by the "Q" at Billy Sims.

I have not tried any of the meats at Billy Sims which did not rate five stars on my rating scale. This does not mean they are all equally good, but that they are all among the top of their category. I am sure this is due to the cooking method used by the restaurant, although for the moment I am more interested in enjoying the food than in asking them how they cook the meat.

Each of the Billy Sims Barbecue locations throughout Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri is adorned with football paraphernalia in tribute to the restaurant's namesake. Even if some of us do not feel a fervor about the University of Oklahoma football program, where Billy Sims was a standout player, we can nevertheless be impressed by Billy Sims Barbecue, as we were when our teams had to face Billy Sims and the Sooners on the gridiron.

The combo plates at Billy Sims have names such as "Sooner Magic" (Two-Meat Combo), "The Option" (three meats), and "The Wishbone" (four meats). I am not sure they serve more than four meats on a plate, although more than these are available including Polish sausage, hot links, turkey breast, bologna, and pulled pork. The usual side dishes are available, and all dinners come with "Okie" toast, and your choice of pickles, onions, and peppers (all at no extra charge).

The iced tea is good, but my favorite is still at Oklahoma Station. Like all good barbecue places, Billy Sims offers a choice of regular or sweet tea.

The "Option" combo plate with ribs, chicken, brisket, beans, and potato salad

This photo shows three very good choices for meats. The Ribs are probably the best, with not only the characteristic smoky flavor at Billy Sims, but also one of the moistest and best flavored meats. This is truly an item that I enjoy eating without the sauce, although I usually add a little sauce at the end for some extra flavor (the sauce here is one of the best). Billy Sims is not unique in Oklahoma barbecue in the ribs being the best item, but I think this is one of the best examples one can find of pork ribs.

The Chicken is probably notable mostly because of the fact that I usually find it disappointing elsewhere, but not at Billy Sims. This was moist with a good, smoky flavor, although I definitely thought it was better with the sauce. It may have been less flavorful than the ribs, but it was very good chicken.

The Brisket was a little dry, but the smoky flavor was hard to beat. I will say, though, that I have found the best brisket in Texas, while at most Oklahoma restaurants (including Billy Sims) the ribs are the best item.

At most "Q" places I pretty much like all of the side dishes. Billy Sims, though, may have better potato salad than most, and it definitely has some of the best beans.