History

Michael Symon launched Mabel's BBQ on East 4th in April 2016, naming it for his grandmother. His Cleveland-style BBQ uses local fruitwood (apple, cherry) instead of Texas mesquite and finishes meats with Bertman Ball Park Mustard, marrying the city's Eastern European condiment heritage to a Southern barbecue technique.

Common allergens: Mustard, Gluten

Make it at home

Yield Serves 6Hands-on 45 minTotal PT6H (incl. smoke)Difficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 2.5kg pork shoulder, bone in
  • For the rub: 3 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tbsp sea salt, 1 tbsp coarse black pepper, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp cayenne
  • Apple wood chunks for the smoker
  • For the Cleveland mustard glaze: 120ml Bertman or Stadium Mustard, 60ml apple cider vinegar, 60g brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire

Method

  1. Mix rub spices; coat the pork shoulder all over. Rest in the fridge overnight if possible.
  2. Heat smoker or kettle to 110C with apple wood chunks. Smoke the pork fat-side up.
  3. After 4 hours, brush half the mustard glaze on the pork. Smoke another 2 hours.
  4. Internal temp should hit 95C and the bone should pull cleanly.
  5. Rest the pork 30 minutes wrapped in foil, then shred.
  6. Toss the shreds in the remaining warm mustard glaze and serve on white buns with slaw.

Tip from the editors. Apple or cherry wood only; mesquite overwhelms the mustard finish.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat cleveland-style barbecue

Cleveland-style barbecue in Cleveland

Mabel's BBQ ★ 4.4

Cleveland-style BBQ$$$downtownTue-Thu 11:30-21:00; Fri-Sat 11:30-22:00; Sun 11:30-20:00; closed Mon

Mabel's BBQ on East 4th Street in downtown Cleveland, Michael Symon's smokehouse since April 2016, builds Cleveland-style BBQ on fruitwood smoke and Bertman Ball Park mustard.

Signature: Smoked brisket, Cleveland-style ribs

Order: The four-meat tray with smoked kielbasa, plus an order of the spicy pickled vegetables.

Tip: Walk-ins seated at the bar; reserve the dining room on OpenTable two weeks ahead.

2050 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115

Mt Pleasant Bar-B-Q ★ 4.5

mt-pleasantMon-Thu, Sun 13:00-21:30, Fri-Sat 13:00-22:00

Mt Pleasant Bar-B-Q on Kinsman Road in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, a family-run sit-down rib house and Polish Boy counter, runs the city's archetypal sandwich on the same block that originated it.

Try: Polish Boy and Texas-style barbecue ribs

12725 Kinsman Rd, Cleveland, OH 44120

More cities are in research. Want cleveland-style barbecue covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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