There are certain food experiences that will stick in your memory forever. Sure, some may be not so pleasant, but the majority are memories of pure bliss. Maybe it was the perfect bite or sip. Perhaps it was an extravagant meal or the perfect bottle of wine. Whatever they are, they tend to leave a lasting impression for the rest of your life.

For me, one of those memories has to be the fist bite into an exquisitely-smoked pork rib. There's nothing like a perfect bite through a seasoned, juicy, and tender rib. Quite frankly, it can be a religious experience.

Let's be honest, the same goes for all barbecue. What carnivore doesn't love the combination of meat and smoke? It's quite possibly the very first cooking method there was. It's probably in our DNA.

Even though we are well in the northern part of this country, the Greater Portland area is doing just fine when it comes to its smoky cuisine. Over the last decade, the area has truly built up its barbecue restaurant reputation.

Below, you can find a list of barbecue joints and trucks that can be found in Greater Portland. These spots have all built wonderful followings and continue to grow, even through uncertain times.

It is also a very diverse group. You will be able to find many different styles of cuisine like Latin-inspired, Jamaican, Korean, and practically every region of the United States. It's truly a well-stacked deck.

Hungry for some 'cue? Find out more info about Greater Portland's 'Cue Culture below.

Quick note: Many other restaurants in the Greater Portland area serve barbecue dishes. However, we specifically targeted "barbecue restaurants" for this list.

Greater Portland's 12 BBQ Joints & Trucks

There's nothing like good barbecue in the Summer. Fortunately for Mainers and tourists, there are many great options in and around the Portland area. That includes these 12 incredible joints.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

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