Indiana’s Top Brisket Destination You Need to Visit

There are many great barbecue joints in the Hoosier State, but only one destination in Indiana can boast that it has the state's best smoked brisket.

When it comes to the king of barbecue, Texas undoubtedly holds the crown. However, I've enjoyed some truly exceptional barbecue across many places in the Midwest, and over the years, it has only gotten better. From ribs and pulled pork to smoked chicken and salmon, the variety is impressive. Yet perhaps the most coveted cut of meat in the world of barbecue is beef brisket. Fortunately, we now know the best place in Indiana to find it.

What Makes a Good Brisket?

Before we reveal the best place to snag a slice of smoked brisket, let's talk about what makes a good brisket. As an avid backyard barbecue cook, I've smoked many briskets using various grades and seasonings. While none have been downright terrible, those made with higher-grade meat consistently turned out better. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grades meat based on quality and tenderness, categorizing brisket as Prime, Choice, or Select. Prime is the highest grade, followed by Choice, with Select on the lower end.

While seasoning blends and cooking methods vary widely, the best brisket is generally smoked "low and slow." After selecting the right cut of beef, barbecue chefs typically trim off any excess hard fat that won’t render during the cook. They also apply a liberal amount of seasoning. Briskets can take anywhere from 10 to 20 hours to cook, depending on their size. The longest I’ve ever smoked a brisket was 16 hours, which made for a long day, but the results were well worth it.

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Indiana's Best Brisket Can Be Found At...

Believe it or not, the best brisket in the state can be found at a restaurant simply called Hank's Smoked Briskets. That’s according to Food & Wine, which claims to be a global authority on food and drink culture. The restaurant was founded in 2004 by Hank Fields, a native of East Texas—the undisputed birthplace of barbecue. Hank's Smoked Briskets currently has a 4.5-star rating (out of five) on Google Reviews.

The small establishment sits quietly along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Indianapolis and looks somewhat unassuming at first glance. However, its brisket is said to be unmatched. Fields smokes each brisket over mesquite wood, which he procures during his semi-annual road trips back to his home state. While I’ve never tried this brisket, it’s safe to say it’s now on my bucket list.