A Guide to Texas Dried Sausage, the Perfect Portable Snack
Meet the masters behind this meat art form. You'll never overlook those links hanging in your favorite market again.
Articles by Daniel Vaughn
BBQ News Roundup: Super Bowl-Worthy BBQ, Brisket-Flavored Mezcal, and Californians Complaining About BBQ Smoke
Plus, smoked bologna in Houston and chicken-fried brisket in Garland.
Where to Find Some of the Best Sausage Wraps in Texas
The #roadsausage list consists of small-town joints that have been around for decades, all serving a version of the simple, classic BBQ comfort food.
Flores BBQ Is Moving from Whitney to Fort Worth
The year 2019 is shaping up to be a breakout one for barbecue in Cowtown.
Try the Hearty Smoked Brisket Salpicon at Lamberts
The dish is nicely balanced with a bright salad and fresh corn tortillas.
At Whitfield’s in Austin, Pickled Sides Take Center Stage
Try pickled strawberries, pickled broccoli, and pickled spicy pineapple—and don't forget some tender pork ribs on the side.
At The Brewer’s Table, Don’t Miss House-Aged Pork Ribs
The Austin brewery and restaurant has a constantly changing menu, but the unique flavor of the pork ribs make them a consistent standout.
DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ Thrives in the Heart of Terlingua’s Chili Country
After decades in the oil industry, nomadic pitmaster Don Baucham stakes his claim in remote West Texas.
Pair Brisket With a Local West Texas Beer at Brick Vault Brewery & Barbecue
The peppery ribs and cream ales are both worth going out of your way for.
With Convenience West, Marfa Finally Has a Real BBQ Joint, and It’s a Work of Art
Former Maiya's chef Mark Scott and his partners have created something special with inventive sides and memorable smoked meat.
Bring on the 350 Briskets: Eddie Deen is Ready for His Seventh Inauguration BBQ
The Terrell pitmaster will serve smoked meats and sides to an estimated 10,000 people. Good thing he brought his 28-foot-long cutting board.
After 45 Years, Wiatrek’s Still Serves Up Worthwhile Barbecued Beef on Saturday Mornings
Enjoy the ribeye and take a moment to enjoy the small-town atmosphere in Poth.
BBQ News Roundup: Breakfast Brisket, Stolen Smokers, and Brisket Taco Smugglers
Plus, how to cook with liquid smoke and stories from Schmidt Family Barbecue.
At Butter’s BBQ in Mathis, Prize Brisket and Smoked Barbacoa Rely on Family Wisdom
Pitmaster Andrew Soto serves up tasty meats to a growing crowd of regulars, with help from his mom and brother—plus some key advice from dad.
The Best Texas BBQ Bites of 2018
There’s so much great barbecue to eat outside of our Top 50 list. Here are our best bites of the year, from pork belly burnt ends to sausage wraps.
From Triumph to Tragedy: Looking Back on the Elks Arch in Downtown Dallas
Built for the 1908 Elks National Convention, the structure played a role in the lynching of Allen Brooks, which the city will finally recognize with a memorial.
Fire & Smoke: La Barbecue Is Feminizing Barbecue One Brisket at a Time
How LeAnn Mueller and Ali Clem—the only wife-and-wife team in Texas—finally brought Austin's la Barbecue indoors, and why Los Angeles doesn't know what it's missing.
Smoky Brisket and Massive Beef Ribs Make for a Tasty Side Hustle at Reveille Barbecue Co.
Every weekend, pitmasters James McFarland and Michael Michna roll up their sleeves and start serving up barbecue in Magnolia.
BBQ News Roundup: Burnt-End Christmas Cookies, Meat Allergies, and Texas-Oregon Fusion
Plus, how an East Texas pitmaster beat Austin and Houston joints and took home a trophy.
Massive, Tender Beef Short Ribs are Worth the Splurge at Smokin’ Moon in Pharr
From juicy chicken to a hulking brisket sandwich, the joint offers some of the best barbecue in Hidalgo County.
Jay’s BBQ Shack Brings Food Truck Trailer Brisket to Abilene
The cramped quarters create a challenge, but pitmaster Jay Stearns manages to serve up tender, fatty bites anyway.
The Top 15 Tex-Mex BBQ Bites in Texas
Exciting things are happening as pitmasters join the two cuisines together in new and delicious ways.
Try the Tender Brisket at 1848 BBQ in Brownsville—and Save Room for Stunning Sides
The barbecue is perfectly executed, but make sure to try the airy corn pudding and rich potato salad as well.
Fire & Smoke: The Resurgence of Bodacious Bar-B-Q
The East Texas chain of Bodacious Bar-B-Q joints lost its founder, Roland Lindsey, in September. His son-in-law Jordan Jackson looks to not only carry on the brand's barbecue legacy, but improve it one location at a time.
BBQ News Roundup: 12 Days of Smoked Meats, Sausage School, and the Superiority of American Beef
Plus, barbecue joints for sale and a cow who stands head and shoulders above the rest.
At The Shed Market in Abilene, Family Tradition Means Smoky Barbecue
Hollis and Betty Dean first made it onto the top 50 barbecue list 21 years ago. Now, their grandson serves up classic Dean family recipes—with impressive new twists.
Couple Leave Cotton Far Behind With Their Two Locations of Blackland Smokehouse
Cole Fullwood smokes the briskets in Roscoe, while wife Amanda smokes everything else at their newer joint, in Snyder.
Tasting a Crunchy, Bacon-Like Bite of Flat Top Brisket at Evie Mae’s Barbecue
Why, yes, you can put a whole brisket directly onto a hot griddle.
At Pitforks and Smokerings BBQ, the Arellanos Offer Smoked Meat From the Family Repair Shop
Isaac Arellano grew up at Hwy 84 Service, where he now serves up BBQ tacos and brisket.
At Embers Barbecue, Green Chile Steals the Show
Andrew and Jewel Hill strike out to bring juicy, thick-cut pork ribs and tender pork belly to Levelland.
Rejino Barbeque Is a Testament to Hard Work in Small-Town West Texas
Aaron and Christina Rejino put everything on the line for their Olton food truck, and their passion pays off in delicious food.
Fire & Smoke: Smoking Thanksgiving Turkeys, the Greenberg Family Way
Sam Greenberg's family has been smoking turkeys the old-fashioned way since 1939 in Tyler. He continues the tradition at Greenberg Smoked Turkeys.
BBQ News Roundup: Foo Fighting BBQ, Chili’s Baby Back Ribs, and a BBQ Prodigy
Plus, what happens when a glowing review shuts down a burger joint.
Tex-Mex and Barbecue Make the Perfect Couple
The most delicious trend in smoked meats combines Texas’s two favorite food groups in exciting ways.
Try Smoked Brisket Pizza at Roast Social Kitchen in Tyler
For his second restaurant, Stanley's pitmaster Nick Pencis indulged his passion for pizza.
Pair Your Barbecue Sandwich With a Drive Around a Race Track at the New BBQ on the Brazos
The BBQ Top 50 joint has reopened, now offering one of the most unique barbecue meal experiences in Texas.
Find Craft Brisket at Brendyn’s BBQ, the First Food Truck in Nacogdoches
Pitmaster Brendyn Todd serves up barbecue sandwiches and smoky brisket from the oldest town in Texas.
BBQ News Roundup: BBQ Town Halls, Sauce’s Comeback, and a Barbecue Joint Run By Nudists
Plus: Wine with barbecue and a pit fit for a whole cow.
Fire & Smoke: BBQ Fest 2018 Preview
Miguel Vidal of Valentina's Tex-Mex BBQ in Austin provides a preview of his dish at the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest, and we discuss how his San Antonio upbringing informs his current Tex-Mex BBQ menu.
Pinche Gringo BBQ Offers Texas-Style ’Cue and Sides in Mexico City
Dan DeFossey has brought brisket from the RGV to CDMX.
Fire & Smoke: Plant-Based (Don’t Call It Vegan) Brisket
At Rice University, there's a little less meat in the dining halls because the chefs have embraced plant-based meat substitutes, including their own version of vegan barbecue brisket.
BBQ News Roundup: Sausage Tips from the Master, Tootsie Goes on TV, and the BBQ Fest is Almost Here
Plus: Wales needs to calm down about its barbecue, but New Zealand knows how it to bring it.
Smoke Sessions Offers One of the Wildest Bites of Barbecue Around
The Royse City joint brings smoked meat and cheese together with its garlic parmesan ribs, served on Fridays only.
1775 Texas Pit BBQ in College Station Is a Family Affair
As Brad Doan smokes the meats, his mom, Belinda, makes tasty sides—and, if you’re lucky, dessert.
BBQ News Roundup: Secret Barbecue Menus, an MLB Pitmaster, and Running a Barbecue Joint While Pregnant
Plus: Making barbecue indoors and a $5 million offer.
Try Crispy, Wood-Fired Chicken at Pollos La Pullita
José Vega brings his adobo seasoning recipe—and his rotisserie design—from his hometown in Mexico to three locations around the DFW area.
Take a First Look at Aaron Franklin’s Steak Cookbook
In April, the pitmaster and Jordan Mackay will follow up their barbecue best-seller with recipes and tips for grilling their favorite cuts.
Mad Jack’s: A Taste of Lockhart in New Mexico
Tired of used cars and small-town bureaucracy, James Jackson closed his food truck in the barbecue capital of Texas and went out of state.