Eli's is a wee spot that makes awesome barbecue, which is why there's always a line snaking out the door. Order at the counter, find a seat, then wait for staff to bring out your hickory-smoked ribs on a red plastic tray. The meat is tender, the sauce sweet with a smoky kick, and the jalapeño cheddar grits beyond addictive.
The wait time goes down if the weather is nice, as Eli's has a large outdoor seating area that bumps up capacity. You can also sink your teeth into Eli's meats at its outpost at Findlay Market.