Pit Crew: The Best Black-Owned 'Que in ABQ
Learn more about the best Black-owned BBQ joints in Burque.
by Kristin Satterlee
June is here, the true start of summer. Time to celebrate! And what food shouts “summertime celebration” more than messy, delicious, long-smoked barbecue with all the fixin’s? Relax and let someone else tend the barbecue pit: We’ve rounded up four of the best Black-owned barbecue spots in Albuquerque to feed those summertime cravings.
Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque
The granddaddy of Black-owned BBQ in ABQ, Powdrell’s started the scene in the 1950s with their Louisiana-style smoked meats. While the Powdrell’s empire is down to just one location—the big old place on Fourth Street—the good news is the building is big enough for a private party room! Powdrell’s also caters, if you’ve got a backyard full of hungry mouths to feed. The absolutely drinkable sauce at Powdrell’s sets it apart, so don’t feel bad about smothering that sandwich. [Editor's note: In early June, Powdrell's announced that their Fourth Street location will be closing due to "rising costs of capital, goods, supplies, utilities, and labor." Powdrell's is exploring catering, special events and wholesale BBQ sauce operations but the restaurant itself will soon be no more. A closing celebration is planned for July 4, 2024 from 10am-5:30pm.]
5209 Fourth Street NW
(505) 345-4086
Nexus Blue Smokehouse
You may or may not agree with the gleeful take-out patron who hollered “World’s best BBQ!” to me in the parking lot, but I’m not arguing. Nexus’s pit turns out some kickin’ meats: deep-barked brisket, delectable ribs and more, including spice-rubbed smoked chicken good enough to sway red-meat lovers. If you’re feeling really hungry, check out the Enterprise sandwich, loaded with pulled pork, brisket, hot links, green chile, and coleslaw. With its red chile-spiked sauce that cries out New Mexico, Nexus may be the center of the Albuquerque barbecue scene.
1511 Broadway Blvd SE
(505) 445-1545
https://smokehouse.nexusbrewery.com
Hot Mess BBQ & Soul Food
Walking in the front door of Hot Mess’s unassuming strip-mall location, the first thing you’ll see is a pile of wood for smoking. You can taste that smoke in their fall-apart-tender brisket and pulled pork. Don’t miss the gorgeous pork ribs either! Hot Mess’s sweet, smoky, spicy sauce is excellent—good enough that it’s sold by the bottle—but the meats taste so good you may find you don’t need much. Hot Mess also boasts cheerful, efficient counter service and great sides, including tangy collards and crisp, fresh-tasting fried okra.
1301 Eubank Blvd NE
(505) 298-4012
www.instagram.com/hotmessbbq2021
Nomad’s BBQ
Did someone say smoked turkey legs? The barbecue from Nomad’s black smoker (one of five built by the original purveyor of smoked turkey legs at the New Mexico State Fair!) is worth seeking out. Nomad’s is usually parked at 98th Street and Avalon Road, but when I wasn’t sure of the schedule, I picked up the phone—and I recommend you do the same. The personable owner Theo will let you know what’s on the smoker and find a way to get you some meat! We met in the parking lot of Shamrock Restaurant Supply. Theo gave me some great pointers on Black-owned BBQ in ABQ, then handed me three Styrofoam boxes of astoundingly smoky brisket, ribs, and chicken and turkey legs. I found a nearby park and ate all I could hold, licking my fingers to get every bit of smoky flavor. Ah, summer!
(505) 206-7654
https://www.facebook.com/nomadsbbq
