Full reviews of BBQ joints around the state
Houston joint Guillory’s Bar-B-Que is just daring enough to pile meat on top of meat, in addition to serving Beaumont-style beef links.
Cousins BBQ is embracing a new era, with updated sides, full barbecue trays, and an All You Can Meat (yes, that’s exactly what is sounds like) daily special.
At M’Jays House of Smoke, in Arlington, each menu item is bigger than the next. And if you run out of barbecue tolerance, this space also offers fried catfish and wings.
Yearby’s Barbecue & Waterice, in Pilot Point, is serving a limited menu until its brick-and-mortar opens, but brisket lovers are in luck.
The Lindseys have nurtured a new pitmaster in the family to take over the original location of this chain in Longview after several closures.
Justin Pearson, whose grandfather once owned Chisholm Trail BBQ, serves similar yet improved sausages with no strings attached at San Marcos BBQ.
Joe Rodriguez and Melissa Garza have made Sisterdale's Black Board Bar-B-Q better than ever while still honoring what locals loved about it.
This Houston-area barbecue joint helmed by three family members serves brisket fried rice and nui xào bò from a gas station.
Garrett Rabel serves a “perfect” sausage sandwich in New Berlin, where eating and serving links is a big part of the local culture.
Montgomery’s Bar-A-BBQ incorporates fresh ingredients into old family recipes for items like cheesy potatoes and hot cornbread.
The business has been a grind for Jordan Rosemeyer of Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q in Spring, but his small trailer still puts out great brisket, sausage, and ribs.
Hill City Chop House might need to depend on people coming from outside of Tolar to keep it afloat, but the smashburger and smoked dump cake are well worth a trip.
While Burnet has had great smoked meat, none of the eateries stood the test of time. Here's hoping Warehouse BBQ and Meetery will be around a good long while.
Along with stellar smoked chicken and sausage, Denison’s Heritage Butchery & Barbecue offers raw meat from within 250 miles of its Texoma region.
Long lines, packed parking, and sold-out meat are regular features of Kat’s Barbecue in Santa Fe, thanks to lauding loyal customers.
Ramen Tatsu-Ya’s latest addition offers house-made noodles to dip into chili-inspired broth, whose leftovers are meant to be eaten as Frito pie.
Mum Foods’ Geoffrey Ellis grew up in Austin and spent time in Queens, and both places inform his menu, which features beef sausage and matzo ball soup.
After successfully serving smoked pork belly pizza at the State Fair, Stephan Nedwetzky planted Pit Commander Barbecue in North Texas.
The Wagon Wheel has been around since 1994, but it recently gave itself a makeover with a new location and a menu that prioritizes freshness.
Austin’s KG BBQ serves za’atar-dusted pork ribs, brisket shawarma, and pistachio rice pudding in a wholly unique dining experience.
Of course, Sullivan Old Town BBQ’s twist on a Cuban sandwich, rich pecan pie, and flavorful brisket also encourage multiple visits.
After a battlefield attack left him mentally scarred, Steven Rossler found strength in telling his story and working the Rossler’s Blue Cord Barbecue pit with his family.
While Douglas definitely isn’t a “joint,” it still has all the hallmarks of Texas ’cue, including brisket, ribs, mac and cheese, and banana pudding.
The Jarrell joint was helmed by the late pitmaster and is now led by his friend, who still serves some of the same menu items, like cheesy squash.
But B4 Barbeque & Boba in Mabank is back open now, with more space and more employees, staying true to its mission to put “a twist” on its ’cue.
The ribs and sausage are great, but it was the mint chocolate chip cake at Beault's Backyard BBQ that made our barbecue editor giggle in delight.
For now, Derek Degenhardt of Decatur’s North Texas Smoke is pursuing his passion by serving brisket, sausage, and a great loaded baked potato salad.
When Jordy Jordan opened the second location of Big D BBQ in the old Midlothian Mirror office, he wanted to pay homage to its controversial leader Penn Jones Jr.
Paul Cruz was battling some personal demons before finding faith and founding Cruz BBQ Company in Maypearl.
From sweet chipotle to dirty rice, the options at this family-run Bellville sausage emporium run the gamut from tame to adventurous.
Using direct-heat methods, Nathan's BBQ shines when it comes to pork ribs and chicken, and it stands out from the local competition too.
Southern Smoke and Plateau Brewing are part of a revitalization effort of the downtown area and add more interest to this West Texas town.
Most pitmasters cook brisket on offset smokers, but Big Boy’s Bar-B-Que in Sweetwater practices the dwindling art of cooking over coals.
At one location, you'll find Desert Oak Barbecue's classic menu. At the other, it's breakfast, coffee, burritos, and burgers using trimmings.
Up in Smoke BBQ closed its Midland location after the 2020 bust, but it has resurfaced three hours east, in Early, with a new meat market.
With more space and help, the Stearnses have developed a new brisket recipe and house-made sausages to take Jay’s BBQ Shack to the next level.
B. Cooper Barbecue is still relatively unknown after two-plus years in business, but it’s serving dishes worth discovering, including Mangalitsa pork ribs.
Bud’s House of Meat in Houston took on the tradition of combining meat counter and restaurant, and it’s one of the few in the area still doing it.
Wade and Becky Brewer provide their small town of Buffalo, located between two major hubs, with delicious smoked meat at W. B. Custom Cooking.
The Texas-style ribs, crispy onion rings, and lemon squares at Earnest B’s BBQ will win over even the most skeptical ’cue fans.
Remnants of the Smoke Pit can be found at Sammie’s Bar-B-Q, which boasts a massive smoked pork chop and the coldest, cheapest beer in town.
Smoked jerk chicken, Trini pepper sauce, and fry bread sandwiches shine alongside Willie Meshack's classic Texas-style meats in Plano.
Even though Pizzitola's—formerly known as Shepherd Drive Bar-B-Q—embraces tradition, the Houston establishment isn't afraid of modernity.
The new San Antonio joint reflects the flavors of the city with menu items like Mexican-influenced mac and cheese and queso fundido sausage.
The 139-year old Scharbauer Ranch now boasts a meat market and barbecue joint, setting up a symbiotic—and delicious—relationship.
The West Texas food truck serves road trip–worthy brisket and ribs.
House-made sausages and oak-smoked brisket help this joint—which recently debuted its brick-and-mortar—stand out from the local crowd.
What started as a way to raise funds for medical bills became a purposeful endeavor for Ramiro Vargas and his family in Edinburg.
And that’s just the beginning of the fun menu items at this Mission joint. Next up: choriqueso smoked burgers and made-to-order Micheladas.
After moving to the burbs, this barbecue joint is getting more adventurous with menu items like brisket enchiladas and fideo.
