Tucked away at 390 E High St in Mooresville, Indiana, Squealers Barbeque Grill looks like a simple roadside spot — but don’t let that fool you. This casual, rustic restaurant has built a massive reputation for slow-smoked meats, bold sauces, and down-home cooking that keeps locals and road-trippers coming back for more.
With over 2,000 reviews and a loyal fan base that stretches well beyond Morgan County, Squealers has earned its claim as home to Indiana’s best barbeque. Here are 13 reasons why this award-winning BBQ joint deserves a spot on your must-visit list.
Award-Winning BBQ That Actually Lives Up to the Hype
Some restaurants slap “award-winning” on their sign and hope nobody notices. Squealers Barbeque Grill in Mooresville, Indiana, actually backs it up.
Over the years, this unassuming spot has racked up multiple BBQ awards and continues to earn praise from food lovers across the state.
Reviewers who have competed in BBQ competitions themselves have called Squealers the best they have tried since moving to Indiana. That kind of praise from someone who knows their smoke rings is hard to fake.
The sign out front boldly claims “Indiana’s Best Barbeque,” and longtime customers agree that Squealers consistently delivers on that promise. If you have been sleeping on this Mooresville gem, now is the time to finally make the drive and taste what all the fuss is about.
Slow-Smoked Brisket That Falls Apart with a Fork
If you judge a BBQ joint by its brisket, Squealers will score a perfect ten. The Texas-style beef brisket here is smoked low and slow until it reaches that magical point where it literally falls apart with just a fork — no knife needed.
One customer raved that even though the brisket arrived sliced, it was so tender it crumbled at the slightest touch. That melt-in-your-mouth quality comes from hours of careful smoking that locks in deep, rich flavor throughout every bite.
Whether you order it as a lunch special, pile it onto the sampler platter, or try the fan-favorite brisket melt sandwich, this smoked beef is the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes and forget everything else. Squealers’ brisket alone is worth the trip to Mooresville.
Baby Back Ribs That Earn a Solid 10 Out of 10
Ask any regular at Squealers what to order first and there is a good chance they will point straight to the baby back ribs. Multiple reviewers have called them a flat-out 10 out of 10, which is about as high a compliment as a BBQ lover can give.
These ribs come out fresh, hot, and full of smoky flavor. The meat pulls cleanly from the bone without being mushy, hitting that sweet spot that separates great ribs from forgettable ones.
One longtime customer described them simply as “fantastic” and said Squealers had earned their loyalty for life.
Paired with one of Squealers’ house sauces — sweet, hot, or mixed — the baby back ribs become an experience rather than just a meal. Order a full rack and thank yourself later.
You absolutely will not regret it.
Pulled Pork So Good, Customers Buy Pounds to Take Home
Pulled pork is the backbone of any serious BBQ joint, and Squealers treats it like an art form. The smoke flavor is described by reviewers as “top notch,” and the texture hits that perfect balance of tender shreds with just enough chew to remind you this is real, slow-cooked meat.
One reviewer loved the pulled pork so much that they purchased two full pounds to take home after their meal. That is the kind of compliment that says more than any star rating ever could.
Whether stacked on a sandwich or served as a platter, this pulled pork draws people back again and again.
Squealers also bottles their signature sauces, so you can grab a bottle on the way out and relive the experience at home. But honestly, nothing beats eating the pulled pork fresh right there in the restaurant.
The Sampler Platter: A Meat Lover’s Dream Come True
Can’t decide what to order? Squealers has a solution for that, and it is glorious.
The pit sampler platter lets you load up on multiple smoked meats in one sitting, making it the perfect way to experience everything the kitchen does best.
Reviewers have raved about sampler combinations featuring baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and smoked sausage all on one tray. One customer described it as “all so flavorful and fall-apart tender,” and said the sauces on the side were “stupidly good.” That kind of enthusiastic reaction is hard to manufacture.
The sampler is also a great choice if you are bringing friends or family who cannot agree on what to get. Everyone gets a taste of everything, and the table instantly gets happier.
At Squealers, the pit sampler is basically a guaranteed crowd-pleaser every single time.
Smoked Turkey That Surprises Even the Biggest Skeptics
Turkey at a BBQ restaurant might sound like an afterthought, but Squealers takes it seriously. The smoked turkey has earned its place on the menu by winning over customers who came in expecting to order ribs and walked out raving about the bird instead.
One reviewer, a self-described BBQ competitor from the South, was so impressed with the smoked turkey that they bought two pounds of it to take home. Coming from someone with that kind of background, that reaction speaks volumes about the quality coming out of Squealers’ smoker.
Smoked turkey can be tricky — too dry and it is a disappointment, too wet and it loses its appeal. Squealers manages to nail the balance, producing turkey that is moist, smoky, and full of flavor.
If you usually skip turkey at BBQ spots, this is the place to give it another shot.
Fried Biscuits and Apple Butter: The Side That Steals the Show
Every great BBQ meal needs a side that makes you stop mid-bite and just smile. At Squealers, that side is the fried biscuit served with apple butter — and customers absolutely cannot stop talking about it.
One reviewer called it more like a dessert than a side item, which honestly sounds like the highest possible compliment.
The biscuits come out golden and warm, and the apple butter adds a sweet, smooth finish that pairs surprisingly well with the smoky, savory main dishes. Multiple reviewers across different visits mentioned these biscuits as a highlight of the entire meal.
One customer even said the fried biscuits and apple butter are what truly “finish the meal off in style.” They are the kind of unexpected delight that turns a good meal into a memorable one. Do not let anyone at your table talk you out of ordering them.
St. Louis Ribs: The Personal Favorite of Squealers Regulars
While the baby back ribs get a lot of attention, the St. Louis ribs at Squealers have quietly built their own devoted following. One customer who visits regularly with their spouse named the St. Louis ribs as their personal favorite — high praise from someone who has tried nearly everything on the menu.
St. Louis ribs are cut differently from baby backs, offering a meatier, slightly fattier bite that many BBQ purists prefer. When smoked properly, they develop a rich, deep flavor that baby backs sometimes cannot match.
Squealers gets the technique right every time.
The same regular customer noted that the brisket, pulled pork, and smoked turkey are all excellent too, which says a lot about the kitchen’s consistency. But if you want to eat like a true Squealers loyalist, start with the St. Louis ribs and work your way outward from there.
House-Made BBQ Sauces You Can Actually Buy and Take Home
Great BBQ sauce can make a good plate of meat absolutely unforgettable. Squealers knows this, which is why they have developed their own line of house-made sauces that customers love so much, they bottle and sell them right on-site.
The sauce lineup includes a sweet version, a hot version, and a popular mixed option that blends both profiles into one bold, balanced flavor. One longtime customer described the mixed sauce as offering “a good combination of sweet, smokey, and spicy flavor,” which sounds like exactly what BBQ sauce should be.
Being able to buy a bottle on your way out means the Squealers experience does not have to end when you leave the parking lot. Grab one for your next backyard cookout and watch your friends start asking questions.
The sauces are made to complement the smoked meats, and they deliver every single time.
Mac and Cheese and Green Beans That Hold Their Own
At a lot of BBQ restaurants, the sides feel like an afterthought tossed on the plate to fill space. At Squealers, the sides are part of the reason people keep coming back.
The mac and cheese has been called “thick and rich” by reviewers, which is exactly what comfort food should feel like.
The green beans are another crowd favorite, showing up in positive reviews alongside the ribs and brisket as a side that genuinely complements the meal. Getting the sides right is harder than it looks, and Squealers puts real effort into making sure they measure up to the main event.
Whether you are loading up a sampler platter or ordering a single entree, the sides round out the Squealers experience beautifully. They are hearty, flavorful, and made to match the bold, smoky character of everything else on the menu.
A Senior Menu and Kids Menu That Make Everyone Feel Welcome
One thing that sets Squealers apart from many BBQ spots is how thoughtfully they cater to every kind of guest. Whether you are bringing the grandkids or taking out an elderly parent, Squealers has a dedicated seniors menu and a kids menu to make sure no one feels left out.
The senior menu features smaller portions at a lower price point, which one reviewer noted was “more than enough” even at the reduced size. Getting a full brisket plate, sides, sweet tea, and a fried biscuit without breaking the bank is a pretty great deal by any standard.
Families with young children will appreciate having a dedicated kids menu as well, so even the pickiest eaters can find something they enjoy. Squealers feels like a place that genuinely wants every person at the table to leave happy, full, and ready to come back again.
Friendly Staff Who Make First-Timers Feel Right at Home
Walking into a new restaurant for the first time can feel a little uncertain — you don’t know the menu, the layout, or what to order. At Squealers, that awkward feeling tends to disappear pretty quickly thanks to a staff that reviewers consistently describe as warm, friendly, and genuinely helpful.
One first-time visitor recalled that from the moment they walked in, they knew they had made the right choice. Their server, Carlie, was praised by name for being attentive, knowledgeable, and full of personality — even guiding the table through the menu with enthusiasm and care.
Another reviewer highlighted how the greeter and servers made their visit feel special, calling out staff members Patience and Jake by name for their outstanding service. When customers remember staff names and mention them in reviews, that says everything about the kind of hospitality Squealers strives to deliver.
Onion Straws, Chicken Tacos, and a Menu Full of Happy Surprises
Squealers is first and foremost a BBQ joint, but the menu stretches well beyond the smoker. Chicken tacos have earned enthusiastic praise from reviewers who called them “delicious,” while the onion straws have been recommended as a perfect way to kick off the meal before the main plates arrive.
One reviewer specifically suggested trying the onion straws with the dipping sauce, calling them a great starter that sets the right tone for everything that follows. The full bar adds another layer of appeal, making Squealers a solid choice for a casual night out with friends.
Burgers and steaks also appear on the menu, which means even someone in your group who is not feeling BBQ that night can still find something satisfying. That kind of flexibility is rare in a dedicated BBQ spot, and it makes Squealers an easy choice for groups with different cravings.
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