Hungry Bear Barbeque is London’s answer to authentic, no-shortcuts barbecue — and the pulled pork is the star of the show. The meats are smoked low and slow over real wood (not pellets), with the smoking happening through the night so everything arrives at your table with that deep, genuine smoke ring and fork-tender texture that’s nearly impossible to fake.

The pulled pork sandwich is a standout — generously loaded and served with a selection of house BBQ sauces on the side so you control the experience. For something extra indulgent, the pulled pork poutine layers all that smoky meat over cheese curds and gravy for a combination that’s become a crowd favourite. The sampler platter is the best way to explore the full menu on a first visit — it’s an impressive spread of smoked meats alongside sides like bacon mac and cheese, smoky baked beans, and fresh coleslaw. This is a cozy, intimate spot where the food does the talking, and it also offers catering for events large and small.

When it comes to pulled pork done right, King of the Pigs stands in a league of its own. The slowly cooked pork shoulder is sautéed with onions and finished in a signature BBQ sauce that balances smoke, sweetness, and heat effortlessly — and it arrives piled generously onto a soft Portuguese bun that makes every bite better than the last. This is a Portuguese BBQ joint with deep roots and a fiercely loyal following, and it’s easy to understand why families keep coming back for birthdays, gatherings, and regular weeknight dinners. The portions are genuinely generous, the menu stretches across pork cutlets, bifana, and killer combos with charcoal chicken, but the pulled pork is the crown jewel. Don’t leave without grabbing a bottle of their house-made hot sauce — it’s dangerously addictive and travels well. Finish with a Portuguese custard tart to seal the deal.

Kyle’s Fried Chicken + BBQ is where London’s pulled pork conversation begins and ends. Kyle trained in Texas and makes regular trips south to stay sharp, and that dedication shows up on every plate. The pulled pork here isn’t drowned in sauce — it arrives as perfectly smoked, deeply flavored meat that stands entirely on its own. Pile it onto a sandwich, or go the full experience with the pulled pork poutine (adding brisket is strongly encouraged). The whole operation sits alongside Forked River Brewing Company, where a cold craft beer and a laid-back taproom vibe await while your order buzzes through. Beyond pulled pork, the Meat Sweats platter gives the indecisive a way to work through the brisket, ribs, wings, and sausage in one glorious sitting. Every item comes from a real offset smoker fired with chopped wood, and zero-processed ingredients mean every bite is as filling as it is flavourful.

When it comes to pulled pork worth driving for, Meat Kandy sets a standard that leaves dedicated BBQ joints eating dust. This family-run operation — rooted in a food truck and now also anchored at the Gibraltar Market on weekends — produces slow-cooked pork that’s consistently juicy, flavour-packed, and finished with a housemade BBQ sauce that carries a subtle, complex sweetness you won’t find anywhere else in the city.

The pulled pork sandwich is the obvious starting point, but the smashed pulled pork poutine is the real revelation — creamy, rich, and built on a base of crispy garlic parmesan smashed potatoes that have won best fries in London four years running. The platter, stacked with pulled pork alongside brisket and pork tenderloin, is the move for serious meat lovers. Everything is made from scratch, portions are generous, and the passion behind each plate is unmistakable. Bring your stretchy pants.

Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ has quietly earned a devoted following as one of Southern Ontario’s go-to destinations for legit pulled pork, and it’s easy to see why. The smoked pork is fork-tender, generously portioned, and coated in a sweet, tangy BBQ sauce the kitchen has refined into something genuinely award-worthy. The classic pulled pork sandwich — tucked into a soft bun alongside crisp fresh-cut fries and coleslaw — is the menu anchor, but the kitchen also puts that slow-smoked pork to work in a poutine loaded with smoky BBQ gravy and a pulled pork waffle that surprises first-timers in the best way possible. The space is small and casual, the kind of unpretentious room where the food does all the talking and the staff make you feel at home. Prices sit firmly in the accessible range, making it an easy call when the craving for real BBQ hits.