LaVaca BBQ’s Smoked Tamales Are a Unique Tex-Mex Barbecue Specialty
Lupe and Christine Nevarez’s Port Lavaca joint is a great new option for barbecue in the Coastal Bend.
Daniel Vaughn is the author of The Prophets of Smoked Meat: A Journey Through Texas Barbecue, the coauthor of Whole Hog BBQ: The Gospel of Carolina Barbecue, and the barbecue editor at Texas Monthly. He has traveled the world sampling smoked meats at over 1,800 barbecue joints, most of which are in Texas.
Articles by Daniel Vaughn
Dayne’s Craft Barbecue’s “Bacon Brisket” and Sausages Are Worth the Wait
The popularity of the new Fort Worth joint at Lola’s Trailer Park is outpacing the smoker’s capacity, but you won’t regret standing in line.
Where to Find Great Surf and Turf, Barbecue Style
Fried catfish served with smoked meat is a magical combination—and harder to order than it should be.
At Po Campo BBQ, House-Made Buns Make Satisfying Sandwiches
Pitmaster-owner Brent Morrow left the oil fields behind for family and oak smoke in Hico.
Moreno Barbecue’s Brisket Is Tender and Juicy Beyond Belief
The family-run food truck is another worthy contender in the crowded Austin market.
BBQ News Roundup: Blue Moon Closes, Franklin’s Backyard Smokers, and a Barbecue Bandit
Plus, is pulled pork an invasive species of smoked meat?
La Pantera Tacos y Mas Makes Tex-Mex Comfort Food From Panther City BBQ
One of Fort Worth’s best barbecue joints now transforms into a taco shop at night.
Koko Ramen’s Reboot Kicks the Spice Up a Notch
Inside Waco’s Union Hall, chef Cade Mercer is bringing Guess Family Barbecue and Asian specialties together.
My Futile Search for Great Tex-Mex Ribs
One man’s strange, quixotic journey from New Braunfels to Longview.
Cherry Block’s Smoke-Kissed Gumbo Reflects the Restaurant’s Barbecue Pedigree
Tucked inside a downtown Houston food hall, the kitchen is turning out this hearty, pork-heavy dish.
BBQ News Roundup: Vegan Barbecue in Houston, 2020 Predictions, and Buck’s Closes in Galveston
Plus, a barbecue event at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas.
Some Barbecue Joints Are Going Whole Hog in a Brisket State
A few Texas pitmasters are putting their own spin on a Carolina tradition.
Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que Has Grown a Llano Legend Into a Texas Empire
”Home of the Big Chop,” Terry Wootan’s original joint has now been joined by five other locations across the state.
Khói Is Expanding the Boundaries of What Barbecue Can Be
Brothers Don and Theo Nguyen use their Vietnamese roots to create innovative dishes as well as master the basics at their pop-ups in Houston.
The New Jack Reubie Sandwich Is Already a Hit at 407 BBQ
Melted jack cheese, Russian dressing with onions and dill pickle, and a sweet hoagie roll nicely complement the smoky, generous pastrami.
A Barbecue Missionary From Midland Serves Real BBQ in Shreveport
Harvey Clay has spent much of his adult life introducing the brisket, ribs, and sausage of his youth into smoked-meat deserts.
BBQ News Roundup: A One-Stop Barbecue Pro Shop, Chili Time in San Antonio, and a $75 Baked Potato
Plus: the most influential Austin restaurants of the last decade.
Wright on Taco Plants Barbecue Roots in a Tiny East Texas Town
Brian and Julie Wright’s restaurant and coffee shop is giving the community of Harleton a smoked meat education.
Bare Barbecue’s Savory Pork Steaks and Juicy Brisket Are a Great Value
The twice-a-month trailer has brought a whole new class of smoked meats to Cleburne.
The Best Texas BBQ Bites of 2019
Beyond the Top 50 list and the 25 best new joints, here are 16 dishes I loved this year, from beef short ribs and German potato salad to a brisket grilled cheese.
BBQ News Roundup: Corky’s Closes in Katy, BBQ Revolution Escapes to L.A., and Smiley’s Is Relocating to Roanoke
Plus: Barbecue joints wind up on some impressive year-end (and decade-end) lists.
Portland’s Eem Unites Bold Thai Flavors With Texas-Style Barbecue
It was the best meal I’ve eaten all year.
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.
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.