Portland Has the Best Texas Barbecue Scene Outside of Texas
Some of the brisket you’ll find in the Austin of Oregon ranks right up there with top joints in our state.
Daniel Vaughn is the magazine’s Barbecue Editor.
In a former life, the Dallas-based Vaughn was an architect and a mere barbecue hobbyist, eating, reviewing, and writing about smoked meats for his popular blog, Full Custom Gospel BBQ. Then, in March 2013, hobby turned to profession, as he became the country’s one and only barbecue editor.
His first book, The Prophets of Smoked Meat: A Journey Through Texas Barbecue, was released in May 2013 by Ecco, Anthony Bourdain’s line of books.
Articles by Daniel Vaughn
The Brisket-on-Brisket Burger Is Another Tasty Reason to Visit Davila’s BBQ
The Seguin barbecue joint is famous for its sausage, but don’t miss this surprisingly affordable sandwich.
BBQ News Roundup: Franklin’s Taco Truck, Dickey’s in Africa, and the 12 Days of Smoked Meats
Plus: Senator Ted Cruz pays off a bet with barbecue.
The Granary’s Abrupt End Doesn’t Erase Its Innovative Influence
One last supper at the San Antonio barbecue restaurant renewed my appreciation for its legacy.
John Mueller Is Back (Again) at Granger City Brewing
The scion of a Texas barbecue dynasty returns with his fourth smoked-meat venture in the past eight years.
How Hurricane Harvey Unexpectedly Revitalized Houston Barbecue Company
Forced to close for five months after the devastating storm, the joint’s owners and pitmaster committed to upping the quality of their food.
BBQ News Roundup: Smoked Duck Season, a Turkey Leg Lawsuit, and R.I.P. Vencil Mares
Plus: Central Texas stalwart Terry Black’s Barbecue arrives in Dallas.
Invented in Fort Worth, Pork Belly Burnt Ends Have Gone Global
Heim Barbecue’s magically sweet and savory cubes are fast becoming as beloved as bacon.
Micklethwait Market & Grocery Serves Stunning Pork Ribs in Smithville
Yet with disappointing business at his small-town restaurant, Tom Micklethwait hatches plans for a taco trailer in Austin.
Breakfast Will Soon Be Brewing at Miller’s Smokehouse
Morning hours are a natural next step for the Belton Top 50 joint, which already roasts its own coffee beans.
BBQ News Roundup: a Barbecue Magic Trick, a Meaty Summer Camp, and a Sausage Caper
Plus: highlights from Texas Monthly’s annual smoked-meat extravaganza in Austin.
These Flavorful Pork Ribs Reflect Houston’s Diversity of Tastes
Korean, Tex-Mex, and Vietnamese influences hit the plates at Candente and International Smoke.
Tejas Burger Joint in Tomball Bets Big on Smoked Burgers
The new restaurant builds its menu around one of the hottest trends in Texas barbecue.
Kerlin BBQ’s Barbecue Kolaches Are Even Better Than I Remembered
They’re technically klobasniky, but who cares what this Austin trailer calls them when you can enjoy brisket wrapped in sweet dough this delicious?
The Granary, Once Proclaimed the Future of Barbecue, Is Closing
Tim Rattray says not enough customers were visiting his San Antonio restaurant, which made the Top 50 twice for its innovative menu.
The Search for Pitmaster Ramone, the Man Behind Subway’s Smoked Brisket
The fast-food chain is using a longtime employee of Sadler’s Smokehouse in Henderson to help sell sandwiches.
BBQ News Roundup: How to Prepare for BBQ Fest, Kerlin Moves to a New Spot, and Reveille Is Returning to Magnolia
The Texas Monthly BBQ Festival is this weekend! Eater Austin shared some of their tips for the fest, as well as a few from Pat Sharpe and me. Austinot breaks down the specialties of all thirty barbecue joints that will be in attendance at…
The Ultimate Fast-Food Barbecue Sauce Taste Test
I tried 16 varieties to see which big chain offers the tastiest companion to fries and chicken nuggets.
Fast-Food Barbecue Is All in the Sauce
Why the McRib is more respectable than those new smoked brisket sandwiches at other big chains.
Your Filthy Barbecue Pit Is Not “Seasoned”
Pitmasters should stop using the term to justify cooking in dirty smokers.
Wright’s Barbecue Brings Texas Smoke to Arkansas
Inspired by the Salt Lick’s brisket, Jordan Wright left a comfortable corporate life to pursue his smoked-meat dreams.
BBQ News Roundup: Champagne With Brisket, the Butcher’s Ball, and the World Food Championships
Plus, Riscky’s Barbeque in Fort Worth celebrates 92 years in business with 92-cent sandwiches.
Don’t Miss the Smoked Chicken Wings at Gatlin’s BBQ in Houston
Greg Gatlin’s joint is serving better wings than any of the big chains.
The Pastrami Reuben at Roegels Barbecue Co. Is One of the Best Barbecue Sandwiches in Texas
A new technique has allowed the Houston joint to begin serving this savory lunch item twice a week.
The Transformation of Smokey Joe’s Bar-B-Que Is Stunning
After reluctantly leaving past methods behind, the joint now serves some of the best brisket in Dallas.
BBQ News Roundup: Houston Versus Austin, a Stubb’s Settlement, and Red Meat’s Healthiness
Plus: Do barbecue joints purposefully keep their lines long as a marketing gimmick?
Waco Barbecue Leaves the Food Trailers and Trucks Behind
Helberg, Guess Family, and Honky Tonk Kid have transformed the local scene and have only gotten better in their new brick-and-mortar homes.
The Spareribs at San Angelo’s RJ Bar-B-Que Hit the Sweet Spot
At the joint they’ve run since 2001, Charles and JoAnn Thomas offer a great deal for good food.
At Smitty’s BBQ in Brownwood, the Smoked Sausage Is a Loving Memorial
The legacy of Smith McArthur Jr., the man who built the joint from the ground up, is carried on by his children.
Pitmasters Team Up to Make B-Daddy’s BBQ Even Better
Emilio and Christi Soliz closed their beloved San Antonio joint to join forces with B.R. Anderson in Helotes.
Local Yocal BBQ and Grill Excels as Both Barbecue Joint and Steakhouse
Local Yocal is a well-known brand in McKinney. Their meat market, Local Yocal Farm to Market, has been a fixture in the suburb northeast of Dallas since it opened in 2010 selling Wagyu beef. The same beef can now be found on the menu of their…
BBQ News Roundup: Subway Punks Austin, Smoked Dallas, and a Gun-Friendly Barbecue Joint
Plus: Get your tickets now for November’s Texas Monthly BBQ Fest.
Mesquite BBQ Celebrates Sixty Years of Brisket Chop Chop Sandwiches
The longtime family business will offer special prices and giveaways at a party this weekend.
Smoke-A-Holics BBQ Is Helping to Revitalize Southeast Fort Worth
Derrick and Kesha Walker have brought phenomenal brisket, rip tips, and sweet potato pie to their old neighborhood.
A Barbecue Editor and a Taco Editor Walk Into a Taqueria….
Daniel Vaughn welcomes José R. Ralat into the Texas Monthly fold as they chat tortillas, culinary coverage, and what it’s like to have the best jobs in the world.
Buck’s Moves Its Inventive Barbecue From Houston to Galveston
And there’s much on their menu now that Jim and Colleen Buchanan have taken over a beloved restaurant on the island.
BBQ News Roundup: RIP “Smokey” John Reaves, a Top 50 Joint For Sale, and Great Chain Barbecue
Plus: Your chance to buy an Aaron Franklin backyard smoker.
Pennie’s Tex Mex Take Out Brings New Life to a Galveston Institution
Louis and Iris Moreno reopen a beloved, shuttered meat market serving barbacoa, tamales, and a full barbecue menu.
Flores Barbecue Done in Fort Worth, to Rebrand as Campo Smokehouse
Mere months after relocating from Whitney, pitmaster Michael Wyont is leaving the business.
Daddy Duncan’s Dishes Out Barbecue All Over Katy
Through collaborations with other restaurants around town, you can enjoy Sylvia and Randy Duncan’s meats any day of the week.
Los Muertos BBQ’s Brisket Puffy Taco Adds to the Tex-Mex Barbecue Trend
Former Texas state trooper Rick Muniz opted to spend his retirement days living out his dreams in a Katy food trailer.
Shoemaker’s Barbecue Is Long Gone, But Its Legacy Carries On
When you find school desks, sawdust, and pickle bars in a Texas joint, they owe a debt to what was once a Dallas lunchtime mainstay.
Brett’s BBQ Shop Serves Spectacular Brisket and Beef Ribs
Taking over a legendary Katy pit, Brett Jackson has built a new barbecue destination.
BBQ News Roundup: Tons of Bacon Burnt Ends, a Pitmaster’s Potluck, and the Politics of Bill Miller Bar-B-Q
Plus: The most creative barbecue joints in Houston.
A Texas Road Trip Inspired Australia’s Newest Barbecue Joint
Houston’s Barbecue in the Melbourne suburbs serves admirable brisket, pulled pork, and burgers.
Texas-Style Barbecue Has Arrived in Denver
Transplants bring familiar flavors of smoked brisket and beef ribs to the Mile High City.
Meat Church BBQ Supply Is a One-Stop Shop for Barbecue Newbies
Matt Pittman parlayed a reality TV appearance into a thriving Waxahachie business.
Top 5 BBQ’s Kendon Greene Stages a Comeback With KG’s Pitmaster BBQ
After the untimely demise of his DeSoto joint, he’s serving great barbecue again from a new trailer.
BBQ News Roundup: Southside Market Grows, Brisket Prices Soar, and Germans Love Texas Barbecue
Plus: a visit to Lockhart to see how custom smokers are built.
Brisket Love Barbecue & Icehouse Adds a Required Stop to Any East Texas BBQ Tour
The care that pitmaster Craig Wood takes with this Smith County joint’s high-quality smoked meats and sides makes it a worthy destination.