When most people picture Maine’s Katahdin Region, they imagine mountain summits, deep forests, rushing rivers and miles of rugged trails. What they may not expect is the aroma of brisket, ribs, and pulled pork drifting through the North Woods.

Welcome to the Katahdin BBQ trail! Yet along the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Scenic Byway, a collection of independent pitmasters is quietly turning the region into a barbecue destination. These are relaxed, locally owned places where meats are smoked on-site, recipes have personality and a generous meal pairs naturally with a day outdoors.

Here are five stops to add to your Katahdin barbecue tour!

Bear Mountain Smoke Shack: Southern Barbecue with North Woods Character

Bear Mountain Smoke Shack is more than a meal—it is a wonderfully unexpected roadside experience.

Located at 927 Shin Pond Road in Mount Chase, the restaurant specializes in Southern-style barbecue such as brisket, pulled pork, pork belly, beer-can chicken, smoked chili and Brunswick stew. Popular choices include the maple pork belly sandwich with slaw and barbecue served as plates, sandwiches or nachos. Sides may include smoky baked beans, creamy coleslaw, loaded potato salad and Southern collard greens.

Many ingredients are locally sourced, including cabbage, collards, honey and eggs. Guests can dine indoors or outside and enjoy handmade swings, lawn games and a small country petting zoo with rabbits, chickens and two goats named Basil and Pesto. The restaurant is accessible from both ATV and snowmobile trails and is listed as operating year-round, although catering commitments can affect its schedule.

Pair it with: A ride or round of disc golf at nearby Peavey Brook Outdoor Center & Trails. The restaurant also makes a satisfying stop while traveling the scenic corridor toward Shin Pond, Mount Chase and Baxter State Park’s North Gate.

Address: 927 Shin Pond Road, Mount Chase
Phone: 706-972-9970 | Facebook

Back Wood BBQ: A Trailside Pop-Up in Mount Chase

Back Wood BBQ brings its mobile barbecue trailer to events throughout the Katahdin Region, but its regular home is at 76 Mountain Road in Mount Chase. Owners Lloyd and Margaret Phillips serve a rotating menu that may include smoked ribs, sausage, pulled pork, smash burgers, meatball subs, coleslaw, green beans, hot dogs, and fries.

The hometown pricing and casual atmosphere make it an easy stop for families. Because Back Wood BBQ operates primarily as a seasonal pop-up, often on weekends and selected weekdays, visitors should confirm its current schedule before traveling.

Pair it with: An ATV ride, since the regular location is directly accessible from the trail system. It is also well positioned for travelers heading toward Baxter State Park’s North Gate or the northern reaches of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Address: 76 Mountain Road, Mount Chase
Phone: 207-538-8146 | Facebook

Flatlander’s Smokehouse: Roadside Barbecue Near Downtown Patten

Just outside Patten Center, Flatlander’s Smokehouse combines house-made barbecue with the friendliness of a classic Maine roadside stop.

Pitmaster Wayne serves a changing selection of smoked meats alongside sandwiches, wraps, salads, appetizers and sides. If the spicy pickles are available, add them to the order. Food is served primarily for takeout, but guests can settle in at the picnic area. Pets are welcome, and a public restroom is available.

Flatlander’s shares its property with Fiddlehead Floral & Gift, where visitors can browse gifts, flowers and Maine-made chocolates. It is accessible from ATV and snowmobile trails and generally operates seasonally, with hours subject to change.

Pair it with: A visit to downtown Patten and the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum, which also serves seasonally as a visitor contact station for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. From here, Route 11 leads toward the monument’s northern access and some of the region’s most memorable forest and mountain scenery.

Address: 274 Houlton Street, Patten
Facebook

Grindstone BBQ: Real Smoke at the Gateway to the Region

Conveniently located about half a mile from Interstate 95, Grindstone BBQ is an ideal first or final food stop on a Katahdin road trip.

This seasonal Medway restaurant emphasizes food made on-site without shortcuts. Its smoker was brought from Tennessee, and locally sourced dried oak fuels batches of brisket, pulled pork, chicken and burnt ends. The menu can also feature smoked macaroni and cheese, pickle fries, cheese grenades, “moose grenades,” hearty burgers and imaginative ice cream treats.

Outdoor seating, a restroom and direct access to ATV Connector Trail 110 make the restaurant especially convenient for travelers. A limited number of trailer-parking spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Grindstone typically operates from late May through mid-October, but guests should verify current days and hours.

Pair it with: The Medway Recreation Area or a drive along the Penobscot River corridor. Medway sits at the gateway to the Katahdin Region, where Routes 11 and 157 lead toward East Millinocket, Millinocket, Baxter State Park and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Address: 5 Grindstone Road, Medway
Phone: 207-746-8218 | Facebook

Mooseshack East Millinocket: Barbecue and Comfort Food Downtown

Mooseshack East Millinocket brings barbecue into the heart of a relaxed neighborhood gathering place.

Located on Main Street, Mooseshack serves BBQ plates along with pizza, wings, subs, salads and rotating daily specials. Generous portions and approachable prices make it a practical choice for families, groups, takeout orders and hungry travelers returning from the woods.

Inside, pool tables, indoor cornhole, occasional karaoke and community events add to the informal “come as you are” atmosphere. The restaurant’s posted schedule is generally Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., although hours may shift seasonally.

Pair it with: A walk around East Millinocket’s downtown or an outing at the nearby Medway Recreation Area. Visitors continuing west can explore Millinocket, Jerry Pond Park and its connected walking and biking trails before traveling farther toward Baxter State Park.

Address: 112 Main Street, East Millinocket
Phone: 207-746-9136 | Facebook

Build Your Own Katahdin BBQ Trail

The pleasure of a Katahdin barbecue tour is that the journey between meals is every bit as memorable as the food. One stop may follow a mountain hike; another might cap off a river outing, ATV ride, quiet park visit or scenic drive through the North Woods.

IMPORTANT TIP! Because several of these businesses are seasonal, mobile, or operated by small teams, schedules and menus can change. Check each restaurant’s current listing or social media page before setting out—then arrive hungry.

About the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Scenic Byway

The Katahdin Woods & Waters National Scenic Byway extends for 89 miles through the heart of Maine’s North Woods. Beginning near the southern entrance of Baxter State Park, it travels through Millinocket and follows Route 11 and the Penobscot River toward Patten before ending near Baxter State Park’s northern entrance at Grand Lake Matagamon.

Along the way, travelers encounter views of Katahdin and the Appalachian chain, working forests, farms, meadows, rivers, wildlife habitat, and welcoming gateway communities. The route provides access to Baxter State Park and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, as well as opportunities for hiking, paddling, fishing, cycling, wildlife watching, ATV riding and snowmobiling.

It is a drive shaped by wilderness, heritage and the independent spirit of the people who call the region home. As this growing collection of smokehouses proves, it is also one delicious road trip.

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