Nothing hits the spot like sweet and tangy barbecue food. Whether you like a plate piled high with meat cooked to perfection or a sandwich on a crispy, toasted bun with barbecue meat and sauce, you’ll find that Keyport has some great options when it comes to barbecue. Let’s look at what you can find at a few of the locations in the area.

Big Ed’s BBQ in Old Bridge has been family-owned and -operated for over 20 years. The family takes pride in serving some of the best barbecue around. The restaurant is open seven days a week, so you can enjoy barbecue any day you like. All-you-can-eat ribs are served all the time. They’re tender, covered in barbecue sauce, and so satisfying. Some of the starters you’ll find on the menu are onion rings, buffalo fingers, apple fritters, and both hot wings and barbecue wings.

Enjoy one of the sandwiches for lunch or dinner. You can get fried chicken, barbecue pulled pork, or fried clams, among other choices. Platters and combo platters are available as well and include items such as spare ribs, St. Louis-style ribs, Cajun chicken, beef brisket, shrimp, catfish, and so much more. Stick around for dessert after your meal and see what the pie or cake of the day is. Bring the whole family to dine at Big Ed’s, as it has the Kid’s Buckaroo Menu with lots of choices for even the pickiest eaters.

For a unique dining experience, check out Ae’s Thai and BBQ in Hazlet. You might be wondering about the curious combination you’ll find here, but the story behind it is found with its owners. Steve and his wife, Ae, met in Thailand while he was there teaching English. They came back to the U.S. and eventually followed their dream of opening a restaurant. Ae makes delicious Thai food, while Steve creates perfectly smoked mesquite barbecue. Together they have created a place where guests can satisfy all their cravings.

From the barbecue menu, you can have tasty dishes, such as a full rack of ribs prepared with Ae’s special rub, slow-cooked pulled pork that’s smoked and simmered to perfection with Ae’s signature barbecue sauce, and the pulled pork mac and cheese. If you want to try some of the Thai menu items, we recommend the dumplings, which you can get with pork or chicken; pad woon sen, a noodle dish; and the delicious yum nuah.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to take a date or spend a night out with the family, TST BBQ & Mini Golf in Leonardo is a good choice. Enjoy some slow-smoked meat, and then head over to the mini golf course for a fun game — or play first to work up an appetite and grab a bite to eat afterward. Meat options include pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, and combo plates. You can also get burgers, sandwiches, and mac and cheese. A kids’ menu is available for the younger members in your party.

These are just a few of the best places to get excellent barbecue in the Keyport area. Try them all to find out which one you prefer.