Tacos
January 25, 2023
This Brisket Isn’t Barbecued But Is Still a Smoky, Fatty Wonder Served in a Taco
Houston’s El Topo has won awards for its brisket suadero taco, which features nixtamalized blue-corn tortillas and a house-special salsa.
Smoked in Texas
BBQ
December 9, 2022
‘Soulful, But Not Soul Food:’ A New Houston Restaurant Pushes BBQ Boundaries
At Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers, executive chef Michelle Wallace gets creative with smoked jerk chicken and a Viet-Cajun fried catfish sandwich.
BBQ
November 3, 2021
Bolt Over to Briscuits for a Brisket Biscuit
Bread at most barbecue joints is an afterthought. Slices of cheap white bread are handed out for free and often end up in the trash. So I was struck by a new food truck in Austin where the bread, in this case biscuits, is as much of a star as
BBQ
September 14, 2021
Texas’s Most Famous Barbecue Tacos Just Keep Getting Better
JQ's Tex-Mex Barbecue helped put the smoked brisket birria taco on the map, but it's worth the drive to Houston for any item on the menu.
Libations
May 20, 2021
Smoked Beer and Whiskey Are Now Brewing in Texas
The entrepreneurs behind TexMalt, a Fort Worth–based malt processor, are the only purveyors of smoked malt in the state—for now.
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
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.
Recipes
September 25, 2020
Most Restaurants Trash Their Leftover Fat. This Houston Barbecue Joint Made it a Signature Item
Plus: Feges BBQ's recipe for smoked sweet potatoes in beef fat.
BBQ
July 29, 2020
The Red Rocket Hot Dogs at La Barbecue Are Out of This World
Inspired by a childhood favorite, the wieners are a welcome addition to the menu of the Austin joint, especially when served with chili.
BBQ
May 29, 2020
At Zoli’s, Smoked Brisket Lasagna Is a Revelation
The beloved pizza eatery gets creative with the rest of its menu.
BBQ
March 20, 2020
Brisket Is on Almost Everything at 225 BBQ, in Arlington
Open only on Saturdays for now, the barbecue trailer has fun with its smoked meats.
Tacos
March 4, 2020
T-Ghost BBQ Serves Silky, Tender Barbacoa Tacos in the Valley
Joshua and Myra Guerrero’s food truck embraces new barbecue ideas from across the state.
BBQ
February 21, 2020
Making Sausages In-House Is a Game Changer for Smoke Shack
The San Antonio joint's meat market turns out expert, flavorful links and one of the best hot dogs in Texas.
Tacos
February 5, 2020
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.
BBQ
January 27, 2020
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
January 16, 2020
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.
BBQ
January 7, 2020
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.
BBQ
November 22, 2019
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.
BBQ Joint Reviews
November 13, 2019
These Flavorful Pork Ribs Reflect Houston’s Diversity of Tastes
Korean, Tex-Mex, and Vietnamese influences hit the plates at Candente and International Smoke.
BBQ
November 8, 2019
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.
BBQ
November 7, 2019
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?
BBQ
October 15, 2019
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.
BBQ
October 9, 2019
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.
BBQ
September 30, 2019
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.
BBQ
September 26, 2019
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.
BBQ
September 10, 2019
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
September 5, 2019
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.
BBQ
August 30, 2019
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.
BBQ
July 22, 2019
Let Your Soul Glow With SLAB BBQ’s McDowell Boneless Rib Sandwich
Inspired by the ’80s classic ‘Coming to America,’ the Austin barbecue sandwich shop serves this higher quality play on the McRib.
BBQ
July 18, 2019
Cowtown Brewing’s Double-Cut Smoked Pork Chop Is a Perfect Marriage of Barbecue and Beer
Get there early for this Friday lunch special from pitmaster Jordy Jordan.
BBQ
July 15, 2019
There’s Something Better Than Brisket at Franklin Barbecue
The Saturday-only special of beef short ribs outdoes everything else on the menu. Just be prepared to pay big bucks.
BBQ
June 15, 2019
The Masters of Brisket Pastrami Now Have a Deli
The fermentation game is strong at farmers' market favorite Mum Foods, which opened a new space in Austin.
BBQ
May 30, 2019
The Stuffed Smoked Chicken at Jube’s Smokehouse Is Worth Ordering Ahead
Patrick Joubert’s Fort Worth joint marries the Louisiana flavors of his childhood with the barbecue of his deep Texas roots.
BBQ
April 18, 2019
Southern Q BBQ Brings Its Spicy Boudin to a Second Location
Steve and Sherice Garner’s Houston joint pays homage to the authentic, Louisiana-style sausage of their youth.
BBQ
April 11, 2019
The Porkstrami Panini at Frisco’s Heritage Table is Something Else
It’s not a barbecue joint, but Rich Vana’s restaurant serves a smoked pork belly pastrami on house-made bread that’s worth the trip.
BBQ
March 12, 2019
The Slow Bone’s New Smoked Pork Chop Takes Three Weeks to Make
This Monday night special at one of Dallas’s best joints is worth the unusually complex process undertaken by chef Jeffrey Hobbs.
BBQ
January 25, 2019
Try the Hearty Smoked Brisket Salpicon at Lamberts
The dish is nicely balanced with a bright salad and fresh corn tortillas.
BBQ
January 22, 2019
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.
BBQ
November 30, 2018
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.
BBQ
November 15, 2018
Try Smoked Brisket Pizza at Roast Social Kitchen in Tyler
For his second restaurant, Stanley's pitmaster Nick Pencis indulged his passion for pizza.
BBQ
October 24, 2018
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.
BBQ
October 10, 2018
We Tried the Vegan Brisket at Rice University
Prepare your plate for "plant-based" meat.
BBQ
October 9, 2018
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.
BBQ
September 21, 2018
Try Kimchi-Topped Brisket on Korean BBQ Saturdays at LeRoy & Lewis
Once you try topping your BBQ with kimchi, it’s hard to go back to just dill pickle chips and onions.
BBQ
September 6, 2018
At Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ, the La Reina Sandwich Offers a Tempting Alternative
Valentina's is known for serving barbecue in tortillas. But for its newest addition, pitmaster Miguel Vidal looked to the Spanish bocadillo.
BBQ
May 7, 2018
The Burger at LeRoy and Lewis Is Hard to Top
The Austin barbecue truck smokes and sears its patties to just the right tenderness. But don’t ask for one at lunch.
BBQ
April 24, 2018
Brisket Pastrami at New York Sub
After buying his favorite sandwich shop, owner Andrew Kelley introduces house-made pastrami to the menu.
BBQ
April 4, 2018
Much-Anticipated Loro Is Open: This Bite Sums It Up
The bavette exemplifies Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole's ambitious collaboration.
BBQ
March 29, 2018
Lamb Ribs at 18th & Vine Are a Rare Treat
The Dallas barbecue joint is offering a smoked mutton rack, with an Ethiopian-inspired rub, now through Sunday.
BBQ
March 9, 2018
Hog Head Cheese at Patillo’s Bar-B-Q
Ready for this jelly: Pig ears provide most of the gelatin in the Beaumont restaurant's version, which is heavy on the meat.