BBQ Joint Reviews
May 3, 2021
A New Pitmaster Finds His Footing at Smoak Town BBQ
Last year, Cameron Haley quit his sales job, parked a trailer on his father-in-law's property, and got to smoking.
BBQ
April 29, 2021
Texans Don’t Need to Worry About a Beef Ban
Plus: A must-read barbecue book and a great jobs resource for aspiring pitmasters.
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 23, 2021
This Austin Trailer Is Gaining Customers (and Notoriety) With a Brisket Crunchwrap
Bored of "just a barbecue platter," Cade Mercer has created an experimental new menu at his CM Smokehouse trailer in Austin.
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 21, 2021
Get in Your Car and Drive to Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin
This "flawless," "spectacular" new barbecue joint serves destination-worthy meats and a delicious Sunday breakfast.
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 16, 2021
Capital G Barbecue Is the Worthy Culmination of a Lifelong Dream
John Gutierrez wanted to bring masterful barbecue to his hometown of Beeville, and with his new restaurant, it seems like he's succeeded.
Travel & Outdoors
April 15, 2021
Looking for Bison in the Wichita Mountains
Herd immunity means something different at this wildlife refuge in Oklahoma.
BBQ
April 15, 2021
The Joy of #Meatposting
Plus: free bacon burnt ends, a new location for Smoke Sessions, and yet another project for Blood Bros. BBQ.
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 8, 2021
Curry Boys BBQ Expertly Marries Texas ’Cue With Southeast Asian Flavors
Green and yellow curries and house-made chili oil accompany the smoked meats at this exciting San Antonio joint.
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 5, 2021
East Austin’s Most Exciting New Joint Serves “Modern African American” Barbecue
Former fine-dining chef Damien Brockway shows off his barbecue chops and nods to his ancestors with West African spices and unexpected cuts of meat.
BBQ
April 1, 2021
A Legendary Tater Tot Casserole Recipe Is Finally Revealed
Plus: The new Austin FC stadium will serve local ’cue, and Young’s BBQ suffers a crisis.
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 1, 2021
The Pitmaster at Bandit BBQ is Betting Big on House-Made Sausages
But the real winner is a burger that almost didn't make it on the menu.
Books
March 19, 2021
New Book Explores the Hidden History of Black Pitmasters
Award-winning food writer Adrian Miller highlights their contributions in ‘Black Smoke.’…
BBQ
March 18, 2021
Mitch Davis, Beloved Waco Pitmaster and Preacher, Has Died at 64
His family plans to keep his barbecue joint-slash-convenience store open. Plus, restaurant owners reflect on a year of pandemic barbecue.
BBQ Joint Reviews
March 15, 2021
Mimsy’s Craft Barbecue Proves Just How Good Small-town Barbecue Can Be
The adventurous joint, newly opened in Crockett, is here to take back the crown from big-city barbecue.
BBQ Joint Reviews
March 10, 2021
The Post Oak Empire Is Just Getting Started
Our barbecue editor reviews the joint’s loaded tater tots, meaty pinto beans, and more, coming soon to multiple Wichita Falls locations.
BBQ
March 4, 2021
A Barbecue Wood Shortage Is the Latest Side Effect of the Winter Storm
Plus: Meshack’s BBQ works to recover, Texas Twinkies, and 17,000 pounds of chicken.
BBQ
March 3, 2021
Barbecue Joint Owners Aren’t Happy About the End of the Mask Mandate in Texas
“It’s like wrapping a brisket at 130 degrees and saying it’s good enough because the bark is set."…
BBQ Joint Reviews
February 26, 2021
ShaneBoy’s Craft Hawaiian Grindz Is Bringing the Aloha Spirit to Texas Barbecue
One of the best new barbecue restaurants in Texas isn’t serving up Texas barbecue.
BBQ
February 22, 2021
BBQ News Roundup: How Texas Joints Are Surviving the Deep Freeze
Plus, families grilling in the cold, gas-station barbecue recommendations, and a poorly timed opening week.
Being Texan
February 16, 2021
How Dr Pepper Helped Me Feel at Home in Texas
When I was growing up, Dr Pepper was a rare indulgence. Now it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come.
BBQ Joint Reviews
February 12, 2021
Oak’d BBQ May Just Have the Best Desserts in Texas
Come for the meat, but stay for the key lime pie, two-layer chocolate caramel cake, and massive cookies.
BBQ Joint Reviews
February 11, 2021
The Original K&K Bar-B-Que Gave Its Owner a Heart Attack. Now, the Corsicana Joint Is Back.
You’ll need a nap after the loaded sandwiches, stuffed baked potatoes, and more from this family-owned spot.
BBQ
February 5, 2021
Kevin Bludso Is Ready to Mentor the Next Generation of Pitmasters
One of television’s favorite pitmasters has signed on to Preserve the Pit, a fellowship that hopes to continue the legacy of Black barbecue.
BBQ
February 4, 2021
BBQ News Roundup: Welcome to BBQ University
New schools are offering multiple ways to learn how to be a pitmaster, plus a rocket scientist’s take on barbecue.
BBQ Joint Reviews
February 1, 2021
The Fried Rib Tips Are Sacred at Mitch’s Corner Stop
The New Orleans–inspired dish is available every day except Sunday, when Mitch Davis preaches at the local Baptist church.
BBQ Recipes
January 26, 2021
Fort Worth Pitmasters Have Perfected Smoked Chicken Salad
This surprising barbecue dish is taking over local menus—and it's so good, our barbecue editor developed his own recipe.
BBQ Recipes
January 22, 2021
Recipe: Confit Smoked Chicken Thighs
This low and slow cooking technique locks in smoky flavor and juicy, tender meat.
BBQ
January 21, 2021
BBQ News Roundup: West Texas Gets Barbecue on the School Bus
Plus, Snow's reopens, Killen's expands, and an honest pitmaster job posting.
BBQ
January 19, 2021
What Brisket and Chocolate Have in Common (Besides Being Delicious)
Tomball's Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue is one of the best smoked-meat joints in the state, but it pours its heart into its bean-to-bar confections.
BBQ
January 16, 2021
Turkey Legs Smothered in Mac and Cheese Are the Latest, Greatest Texas Trend
Smoked turkey legs have broken out of the State Fair and onto menus across the state.
BBQ
January 14, 2021
How Big Al’s Smokehouse Is Ensuring Its Barbecue Comfort Food Survives the Pandemic
One secret is pitmaster Pedro Garcia, who started at Big Al's as a dishwasher over 40 years ago.
BBQ
January 7, 2021
BBQ News Roundup: A McKinney Staple Forced to Close
Plus, Houston’s most anticipated restaurant openings for 2021, Fidel Castro in a cowboy hat, and the end of #BrisketGate.
BBQ
January 5, 2021
Why the Texoma Region Is Worth a Barbecue Tour
From brown gravy sauce to pecan pie with brisket, joints from Denison to Gainesville provide lots of solid (and surprising) options.
BBQ
December 31, 2020
What Happened When I Attempted a Cornyn’d Beef Brisket
Hint: “Trim all visible fat."…
BBQ
December 23, 2020
Dallas’s Back Country BBQ Community Is Helping a Pitmaster in Need
Plus, mask shirkers in Abilene and Greg Abbott's shocking barbecue tab.
BBQ
December 18, 2020
My Favorite Texas BBQ Bites of 2020
Even in 2020, Texas managed to turn out superlative barbecue. Our barbecue editor picks his favorite bites of brisket, spare ribs, sausage, and more, from all across the state.
BBQ
December 11, 2020
Derek Allan’s BBQ Proves Brisket Belongs on a Biscuit
The Fort Worth joint is now serving Wagyu brisket on a biscuit from you'll never guess where.
BBQ
December 10, 2020
BBQ News Roundup: Massive Closures Are Coming for ’Cue Joints
A warning from the National Restaurant Association. Plus, Austin kicked off its annual 12 Days of Smoked Meat.
BBQ Joint Reviews
December 4, 2020
Estrada’s Texas Barbecue Serves a Guisada Breakfast Taco That’ll Last You Through Lunch
Mechanic turned pitmaster Randy Estrada and his wife Tessa created a menu of uniquely flavored meats and sides at the Creedmoor truck.
BBQ
November 28, 2020
A Celebrated Pitmaster on His Long Road to Recovery
Jordan Jackson once ran the pits at one of the best joints in the state—Bodacious Bar-B-Q, in Longview—but he says the drinking and the pressure were too much. Now he’s working for Aaron Franklin as he starts to rebuild his life.
BBQ Joint Reviews
November 27, 2020
Henry’s Barbecue Is a Small Food Truck With Big Dreams and a Great Burger
The Del Valle truck serves a well-executed barbecue menu, and its owners are hoping this is just the start.
BBQ
November 25, 2020
BBQ News Roundup: Last-Minute Thanksgiving Tips for Smoking a Turkey
Plus, pork processing plant managers behaving badly and $2,000 brisket.
Style & Design
November 25, 2020
Holiday Gift Guide: For the Backyard BBQer
Equipment, accessories, and treats for the home barbecue chef in your life.
BBQ Joint Reviews
November 19, 2020
The JNL Trailer Serves Up Old-school Barbecue and Community Spirit
The Austin trailer is serving up a small, focused menu after narrowly escaping a pandemic-induced closing in April.
BBQ Joint Reviews
November 16, 2020
Thorndale Meat Market’s Dry-Aged Steak Is an Experiment in Funk
The first bite of one of Trey Felton’s cold-smoked, dry-aged ribeyes made our barbecue editor laugh with joy.
BBQ
November 12, 2020
BBQ News Roundup: Thanksgiving Tragedy at Greenberg Smoked Turkeys
A fire at the meat processing plant means no turkey for 200,000 customers. Plus, Feges in Houston now ships nationwide.
BBQ
October 29, 2020
BBQ News: A Very Bad Take About Barbecue in America
Plus, our very own BBQ Fest culminates in a virtual backyard barbecue this Sunday.
BBQ
October 28, 2020
It’s Always a New Menu at Blood Bros. BBQ
The Houston barbecue joint keeps regulars on their toes with an ever-changing menu that calls on Hawaiian, Chinese, and Texan flavors.
BBQ Joint Reviews
October 23, 2020
A Former Police Officer Finds His Calling With Lonestar Sausage & BBQ
Kevin Mason has gone from selling his house-made links out of a patrol car to running an impressive joint in Houston.
BBQ
October 15, 2020
I’ll Be Missing ’Cue: Saluting Joints That Are Gone but Not Forgotten
The connections we make with some barbecue restaurants go way beyond brisket and chopped beef sandwiches.