St. Louis has a rich barbecue culture, and diners have plenty of opinions about which local restaurant serves the best ribs, brisket, pulled pork, turkey, or smoked wings. One restaurant that deserves a place in that conversation is Sharpshooters Pit & Grill, home of Bang Good BBQ.
Located at 8135 Gravois Road in St. Louis County, Sharpshooters Pit & Grill prepares its meats fresh daily and slow-smokes them over cherry wood for up to 14 hours. Guests can order brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, smoked wings, tacos, nachos, sandwiches, plates, sides, and house barbecue sauces.
Whether you are searching for a quick BBQ lunch, a casual dinner, carryout, patio dining, or food for a gathering, Sharpshooters offers a distinctive St. Louis barbecue experience.
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill at a Glance
Restaurant: Sharpshooters Pit & Grill
Website: BangGoodBBQ.com
Cuisine: Barbecue and smoked meats
Address: 8135 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123
Area: Affton and South St. Louis County
Phone: 314-353-4745
Cooking method: Dry-rubbed meats slow-smoked over cherry wood
Popular meats: Ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey and smoked wings
Dining options: Indoor dining, patio seating when available, carryout, curbside and delivery
Group option: Banquet room for gatherings
Sauces: Hot and Spicy, Sweet and Smokey, and Carolina Mustard
Online ordering: Available through BangGoodBBQ.com
Hours, menu items and service options can change. Check the website or call the restaurant before visiting.
Is Sharpshooters Pit & Grill One of the Best BBQ Restaurants in St. Louis?
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill is a strong contender for diners seeking freshly prepared, cherry-wood-smoked barbecue in St. Louis. Its meats are prepared fresh daily rather than reheated, seasoned with a dry rub, and smoked low and slow for up to 14 hours. Sauce is served on the side so guests can taste the meat and smoke before adding their preferred flavor.
“Best” is ultimately a matter of taste. Some guests prioritize ribs, while others judge a BBQ restaurant by its brisket, turkey, pulled pork, wings, sauces, or sides. Sharpshooters earns consideration by emphasizing fresh preparation, a distinctive smoking wood, varied smoked meats, and flexible ways to dine.
What Makes Sharpshooters’ BBQ Different?
Several details give Bang Good BBQ at Sharpshooters Pit & Grill its identity.
Meats Are Smoked Fresh Daily
Sharpshooters emphasizes fresh, daily preparation. The restaurant’s approach is summarized by the phrase “Fresh Never Reheated.”
Fresh preparation matters because barbecue changes as it sits, cools, and reheats. Cooking a new batch each day helps preserve the intended texture, moisture, bark, and smoke flavor.
Because smoked meats are prepared in limited daily quantities, selection may depend on the time of the visit. Guests who want a particular item can call ahead to confirm availability.
Cherry Wood Creates the Smoke Profile
Sharpshooters uses cherry wood to smoke its meats. Cherry wood is known for providing a balanced smoke character and helping create an appealing exterior color.
The wood is part of the restaurant’s flavor identity. Rather than relying only on sauce, Sharpshooters develops flavor through seasoning, smoke, time, and temperature.
The Meat Is Smoked Low and Slow
Depending on the item, meats may be slow-smoked for up to 14 hours. This gradual process allows tough cuts to become tender while developing a seasoned exterior.
Low-and-slow cooking is especially important for barbecue staples such as brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs. Each meat responds differently to time, temperature, seasoning, and smoke, requiring attention throughout the cook.
Sauce Comes on the Side
Sharpshooters describes its approach as “Sauce on the Side, Nothing to Hide.” Diners can taste the smoked meat on its own before adding sauce.
Current sauce choices include:
- Hot and Spicy
- Sweet and Smokey
- Carolina Mustard
This approach lets each guest control the amount and style of sauce while keeping the smoke and dry rub at the center of the meal.
What Should You Order at Sharpshooters Pit & Grill?
The right first order depends on whether you prefer beef, pork, poultry, traditional plates, handheld food, or shareable appetizers.
Beef Brisket
Brisket is one of the clearest tests of a barbecue kitchen. It requires a long cook and careful handling to balance tenderness, moisture, smoke, bark, fat, and seasoning.
Sharpshooters slow-smokes its brisket over cherry wood and offers it in several formats. Guests can enjoy it as a plate, sandwich, taco, nacho topping, or part of a multiple-meat meal.
A brisket plate is a good first choice for someone who wants to evaluate the meat directly. A sandwich or taco gives diners a more composed combination of meat, sauce, bread or tortilla, and toppings.
Smoked Ribs
Ribs are central to the St. Louis barbecue conversation. Sharpshooters offers rib plates for guests who want a substantial, traditional BBQ meal.
The ribs are dry-rubbed and slow-smoked, allowing guests to taste the seasoning and cherry-wood smoke before adding sauce. Depending on the current menu, diners may choose a half slab, full slab, or a combination featuring ribs and another smoked meat.
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is versatile, tender, and easy to pair with different sauces. Sharpshooters serves it on plates and sandwiches and may feature it in tacos or nachos.
Try it without sauce first, then compare it with Sweet and Smokey, Carolina Mustard, or Hot and Spicy sauce.
Smoked Turkey
Smoked turkey is a signature part of the Sharpshooters lineup. It offers a lighter alternative to pork ribs or brisket while still delivering true wood-smoked flavor.
Because poultry can dry out when mishandled, moist smoked turkey demonstrates careful cooking. It can be ordered as a plate or used in sandwiches and other menu preparations.
Smoked Wings
For guests who want smoke flavor in a familiar, shareable format, smoked wings are a strong option. They can work as an appetizer, casual meal, or group order.
Unlike wings that receive their flavor mainly from sauce, properly smoked wings build flavor in the meat and skin before sauce is added.
Tacos and Nachos
Not every barbecue meal needs to follow the traditional meat-and-sides format. Sharpshooters also serves smoked meats in tacos and nachos.
These dishes are useful for groups with different appetites and for diners who want barbecue flavor in a more casual, shareable presentation.
Plates, Sandwiches or Combination Meals: Which Is Best?
Choose a BBQ plate if you want to focus on one smoked meat and enjoy it with traditional sides.
Choose a sandwich if you want a quick, convenient lunch or dinner.
Choose tacos or nachos when you want a casual or shareable dish.
Choose a combination plate if this is your first visit and you want to compare multiple smoked meats.
For two or more diners, ordering different meats and sharing can be the easiest way to explore the menu.
Where Is Sharpshooters Pit & Grill Located?
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill is located at:
8135 Gravois Road
St. Louis, MO 63123
The restaurant is in the Affton area of South St. Louis County and operates inside the Sharpshooters complex. Diners do not need to use the shooting range to visit the restaurant.
The setting makes Sharpshooters unusual among St. Louis BBQ restaurants, but the food stands on its own. Guests can stop in specifically for lunch, dinner, carryout, or a gathering.
What Dining Options Are Available?
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill offers several ways to enjoy Bang Good BBQ:
- Indoor dining
- Patio seating when weather and availability permit
- Carryout
- Curbside service
- Online ordering
- Delivery through participating services
- Banquet-room gatherings
The restaurant’s dining room has approximately 50 seats, according to the Sharpshooters website. For a large group or special event, call ahead to discuss space, menu choices, timing, and availability.
Is Sharpshooters Good for Groups and Events?
Yes. Sharpshooters Pit & Grill has a banquet room and serves smoked meats that are well suited to group meals. It can be considered for birthdays, club gatherings, workplace meals, family events, and other occasions.
Sharpshooters also offers weekday fundraising opportunities for qualifying groups and clubs. The website states that participating organizations can receive 10% of profits from the designated event. Contact the restaurant for current terms and scheduling requirements.
When Is Sharpshooters Pit & Grill Open?
The restaurant currently lists the following hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Friday: 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Sunday: Noon–5:00 p.m.
Holiday and special-event hours may differ. Call 314-353-4745 or check BangGoodBBQ.com before making a special trip.
How to Judge a Great St. Louis BBQ Restaurant
When comparing the best BBQ restaurants in St. Louis, consider more than popularity. Look at the fundamentals.
Smoke Flavor
The smoke should complement the meat rather than overwhelm it. Sharpshooters uses cherry wood to create its characteristic flavor.
Texture
Brisket should be tender without turning mushy. Ribs should bite cleanly without being tough or falling apart unintentionally. Pulled pork should remain moist, and turkey should not be dry.
Bark and Seasoning
The outside of the meat should show the effect of the dry rub, smoke, heat, and time. Good bark provides concentrated flavor and contrasting texture.
Freshness
Barbecue is generally at its best when served close to the completion of the cooking and resting process. Sharpshooters prepares its smoked meats fresh daily.
Sauce Selection
Sauce should enhance rather than cover the meat. Serving sauce on the side gives the diner control.
Menu Variety
A good barbecue destination should offer enough variety for different preferences. Sharpshooters serves beef, pork, turkey, wings, ribs, plates, sandwiches, tacos, nachos and sides.
Overall Experience
Convenient ordering, friendly service, seating choices, parking, group options, and consistency all contribute to whether a restaurant becomes a repeat destination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharpshooters Pit & Grill
What is Sharpshooters Pit & Grill?
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill is a fast-casual St. Louis BBQ restaurant serving Bang Good BBQ at 8135 Gravois Road. Its menu focuses on fresh, daily-smoked meats.
Is Bang Good BBQ the same as Sharpshooters Pit & Grill?
Bang Good BBQ is the barbecue brand and website associated with Sharpshooters Pit & Grill. The restaurant is located within the Sharpshooters complex in South St. Louis County.
What wood does Sharpshooters use?
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill smokes its meats over cherry wood.
How long are the meats smoked?
Depending on the item, meats may be slow-smoked for up to 14 hours.
What meat is Sharpshooters known for?
The menu centers on smoked ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, turkey and wings. Guests can order these meats as plates, sandwiches or in dishes such as tacos and nachos.
Does Sharpshooters reheat its barbecue?
The restaurant states that its meats are prepared fresh daily and promotes a “Fresh Never Reheated” approach.
Does Sharpshooters serve sauce on the meat?
Sauces are served on the side so guests can choose how much to add. Options include Hot and Spicy, Sweet and Smokey, and Carolina Mustard.
Can I eat at Sharpshooters without using the shooting range?
Yes. Guests can visit Sharpshooters Pit & Grill specifically to dine or pick up food. Participation in range activities is not required.
Does Sharpshooters offer takeout or delivery?
Yes. The restaurant lists dine-in, carryout, curbside, online ordering and delivery options. Availability may vary by date and delivery address.
Does Sharpshooters have outdoor seating?
Patio seating is available when weather and operating conditions permit.
Can Sharpshooters accommodate a group?
The location offers a banquet room for gatherings. Call 314-353-4745 to discuss the number of guests, date, menu, and current availability.
Where can I find BBQ near Affton, Missouri?
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill is located at 8135 Gravois Road in the Affton area of St. Louis County.
Try Bang Good BBQ at Sharpshooters Pit & Grill
If you are building a personal list of the best BBQ restaurants in St. Louis, put Sharpshooters Pit & Grill on it. Fresh daily preparation, cherry-wood smoking, long cook times, sauce served on the side, and a menu spanning ribs, brisket, turkey, pulled pork, wings, tacos, nachos, sandwiches, and plates make it worth a visit.
Sharpshooters Pit & Grill
8135 Gravois Road
St. Louis, MO 63123
314-353-4745
View the BBQ menu, order online, or call the restaurant before visiting to confirm current hours and item availability.
“Best” is subjective and depends on individual taste. Menu items, prices, hours, and availability may change.