These SouthCoast BBQ restaurants are serving up a taste of the South. Check them out.

It's that time again.

Summer is on the horizon, which means beach fun, backyard fire pits and barbecue.

But you don't have to wait for summer — or head South — for an authentic, mouthwatering BBQ feast.

Leave the cooking to some local pitmasters. The SouthCoast is home to a few spots specializing in Southern-style barbecue with a New England flair year-round.

In honor of National Barbecue Day on May 16, here's a roundup of area eateries serving up all your flavor-packed BBQ faves:

Dunny's BBQ, Fall River

13 North Main St.

If you're craving authentic Texas-style barbecue, Dunny's promises you'll find "the ultimate haven for BBQ enthusiasts and food lovers" right in the heart of the city.

The Fall River bar transformed into a full-service restaurant in 2020, and has since been making its mark on the BBQ scene.

"As you enter, the rich, smoky scent of slow-smoked meats sets the stage for an exceptional dining adventure," Dunny's BBQ website states.

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Dunny's menu pays "homage to the time-honored traditions of barbecue" showcasing Texas BBQ staples such as tender brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and more.

Kick things off with starters such as loaded brisket, pulled pork nachos or Texas Twinkies (jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese and smoked brisket and wrapped with bacon).

Follow that up with offerings such as chopped brisket sandwich, pulled pork, shredded chicken BBQ sandwich, or brisket cheeseburger melt, as well as the hickory smoked BBQ meals — St. Louis ribs, sliced brisket, shredded chicken, beef burnt ends with sweet, Carolina and spicy sauces. Or try their Cowboy Sampler for a real tour of Texas.

The bar also offers handcrafted cocktails inspired by the Lone Star State.

Go to their website or Facebook page to check out their latest promos, such as $15 BBQ samplers on Friday nights for dine-in guests.

Ed's Famous BBQ, Fall River

756 Brayton Ave. 

The grill is fired up and waiting for you at Ed’s Famous BBQ, located in a fire engine red building at 756 Brayton Ave.

"You'll always find a hint of smoke in the air as we slow cook our Southern style, dry rub barbecue to perfection," reads the website for this city eatery. "You’ll also experience some genuine Southern hospitality to go along with our mouthwatering food."

Try one of their specialties, such as ribs, pulled pork, chicken or beef brisket, the latter of which cooks for 15 hours before the melt-in-your-mouth meat makes it onto your plate.

Can't decide on just one dish? No problem. Their Big Feast and Little Feast specials have you covered, and each include an array of BBQ classics such as St. Louis style spare ribs, pulled pork and Texas beef brisket, baby back ribs, and barbecue chicken.

There is no dine-in available, but they offer carryout and delivery Thursday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday noon to 7 p.m.

Missing Link BBQ, Somerset

938 Lees River Ave.

This one-of-a-kind restaurant, located inside a train car at 938 Lees River Ave., is dishing out equally unique takes on your classic BBQ faves.

At Missing Link, their menu features an array of tasty Texas-inspired BBQ with New England flair, as well as outside-the-box twists off their breakfast or Dope'ish selection.

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Dope'ish dishes consist of your choice of baked potato, corn cakes or mac and cheese with creative BBQ toppings. Check out The Swine (pork belly, grilled onions, cheese sauce, beans, Carolina BBQ sauce and scallions) or Link's Pick (brisket, coleslaw, Alabama BBQ sauce and scallions).

Get your hands on their sandwiches, which include pulled pork and chicken, their variety of their "Not Dogs" -- pulled pork and a seasoned aioli mixed together to taste like a hot dog -- or Smash Burgers, housemade 100% brisket burger patties.

And of course, you can feast on their selection of hardwood smoked meats — sliced brisket, pulled pork, pork belly, half chicken, baby back ribs — available a la carte or as a platter.

Enjoy aboard their BBQ train, in their outdoor patio area, or take it to go.

For updated hours visit their website or Facebook page.

Bootleg BBQ, Westport

778 Main Road

For flavor-packed BBQ fare, locals need look no further than Bootleg BBQ in Westport.

The food truck turned brick-and-mortar eatery opened its doors at Village Commons plaza in December 2022 and things have really heated up there since.

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Its focus is traditional, Southern barbecue style "all true wood-fueled, wood smoked, cooked low and slow," according to owner Fred Melnyk, who custom built the two smokers he uses to cook.

Menu highlights include popular staples like their pulled pork sandwich, brisket and baby back ribs, paired with classic barbecue sides such as mac and cheese, corn bread, baked beans and coleslaw.

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And if you're feeling really hungry, or looking to share a little bit of everything, they also offer barbecue feasts such as the Pappy Platter or the Two-Meat Platter.

Visit their Facebook page for more information.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Greater Fall River restaurants offering a haven for BBQ enthusiasts