Hannah’s BBQ

You’ve no doubt heard food described as “not terrible”. As for Hannah’s, it wasn’t terrible.

Slow Bone

Just get there early, because they may be sold out.

Woodshed Smokehouse

Not everything we had was a homerun, but we'd be glad to bring back three friends and give that beef shin our best shot.

The Brisket House

This was a solid meal even without the other meats.

Lufkin Bar B Que

A Lufkin staple for over 60 years, this basics-only spot is celebrated for its spicy, peppery, tender barbecue, as well as its deep-fried yeast rolls and fruit pies. The sliced beef plate was hearty, the brisket tender with just a hint of zesty spice, and the beans and creamy slaw were

Bigham’s Smokehouse Real Pit Bar-B-Q

We’ve got a friend who won’t eat food you have to carry to your table on a tray. Too bad, because this joint offers sublime barbecue and the kind of ranch-house-great-room atmosphere that people appreciate when hunting honest Texas cuisine. We loaded up our platters with ribs, sausage, turkey, beans,

Pappy’s Bar BQ

They couldn’t even redeem themselves with the dessert.

Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que

We'll just say, order the barbacoa.

Heavy’s Bar-B-Que

Heavy's has great sausage, so don’t miss it like we almost did.

Cousins Bar-B-Q (Cityview)

Cousin’s has a good reputation for a reason, and they’re one of the few chains that does it right.

Pody’s BBQ

Try the green chile-cheddar pozole- it's delicious.

Billy’s Old Fashion BBQ

Bob’s Bar-B-Que

Getting top-shelf brisket here takes some effort, but it’s worth it.

The Original Willie’s Bar-B-Q

With rattlesnake skin tacked to the particleboard walls, wagon wheel chandeliers, and black-and-white-checked tablecloths, Willie’s aesthetic can be described Little House on the Prairie chic.

Boxcar Bar-B-Que

Partner’s BBQ

R Place

Gatlin’s BBQ

Carry your order to a picnic table outside or settle down in the small room adorned with snapshots and a painting of a white-robed Jesus holding a miniature model of Gatlin’s in his hands.

Poor Daddy’s Smokehouse

Hard Eight Pit Bar-B-Q

Stiles Switch

Sides and desserts are solid, and those who don’t have to go back to work can choose from six kinds of beer on tap or dozens of other selections in bottles.

Black’s Barbecue

This may be the weirdest smoking routine in Texas, but it’s hard to argue with the results.

The Barbecue Station

The $6.79 “Fill-er Up” baked potato stuffed with chopped beef is one of the better deals in town. The meats across the board are better than average. Also try the juicy smoked chicken and the unique potato salad with olives instead of pickles.

Hickory House Bar B Que

Doyle’s sauce is a regional specialty. He makes a brown gravy sauce from the flour-thickened pit drippings. It’s thick and heavily seasoned, and makes for great Texas toast dipping.

Bar H Country Store and BBQ

Big O’s BBQ

The best (and only) restaurant in Valera, TX.

Hays Co. Bar-B-Que & Catering

By the time the meal was over, we were ready to shout “Go, Bobcats!”

Mustang Creek Barbecue

Miller’s Smokehouse

Stop at Miller's in Belton, TX on your Austin-Dallas journey for some of the best BBQ in the state.

Wiley’s Old Fashioned Bar-B-Q & Burgers

Inman’s Ranch House Bar-B-Q

Pappas Bar-B-Q

Red River BBQ

Big Jake’s Bar-B-Que

Hinze’s Bar-B-Que

Along a stretch of I-10 with few decent barbecue options, Hinze’s made a good impression.

Betty Rose’s Little Brisket

Fat Boy’s BBQ

Tyler’s Barbeque

Some of the best barbecue in Amarillo.

Mumphord’s Place BBQ

This is “cowboy-style” barbecue, where the wood is burned to coals, then transferred to large metal pits in which the meat is placed on grates set about four feet directly above the heat.

Big Rays BBQ

Pat Gee’s Barbecue

This is barbecue worth sweating for.

Bailey’s Bar-B-Que

Barbecue House

2010: Originally opened in 1959, this joint moved to this location in 2004. It is owned and operated by John McClellan, a second generation pitmaster and the brother of Mike McClellan who runs Mike’s BBQ house on the other side of town. The interior is decorated mostly with dead animal

Barbecue Inn

Barbecue Inn is a beloved restaurant in Houston, but not because of its barbecue. Ask a local where to find the best fried chicken, chicken fried steak, or fried shrimp—oh, the fried shrimp—and the seemingly unlikely name is likely to come up. I first ate there years ago with J.C.

Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke

2009: This local chain is known for two things, and they can both be found in a meat market. Hot pants and crop tops hugged tightly to the friendly jail-bait staff, but we had Mrs. Smokemasterone in attendance to keep us in line. She even let Mr. Smokemasterone enjoy a

Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que (Fort Worth)

Pork ribs had a bit more a kick from black pepper, but they were also a bit chewy, especially the rib tips. A beef rib had decent flavor, but wasn’t particularly memorable. One memorable item worth noting is the beans. These are freebie beans to be doled out by the

Fargo’s Pit BBQ

One order is plenty to share, but you may not want to.

Lone Star Bar-BQ

Brooks’ Place

In time, even the most skeptical of Houston ’cue hounds were making regular trips to Cypress to taste Brooks’s brisket

Hammond’s BBQ

In Glen Rose, the biggest competitor to Hammond’s BBQ is… the Hammond family.