BBQ Joint Reviews
October 2, 2023
Can a Town of 3,500 Sustain Three Barbecue Joints?
Winnsboro, in East Texas, is experiencing a surprising smoked meat boom: three new joints opened there in just one year. But will they endure?
Brisket
Latest
1-50 of 167 Articles
BBQ
September 26, 2023
Is Texas’s Barbecue Bubble Ready to Burst?
Too much heat, too-expensive brisket, and too much competition are stressing barbecue joints, leading to a less profitable year for many.
BBQ Joint Reviews
September 22, 2023
Drive Out to Newark—No, Not That One—for Stellar Barbecue Sandwiches
LocalCraft BBQ, north of Fort Worth, has improved its barbecue offerings over the last year, and its burger and queso-topped brisket-and-sausage sandwich really impress.
BBQ Joint Reviews
September 20, 2023
This Revamped Joint Finally Makes Paris a Barbecue Contender
Previous visits to the East Texas town for barbecue were disappointing, but Scholl Brothers Bar-B-Que’s new owners have changed that.
BBQ Joint Reviews
September 15, 2023
After a Back-Breaking Injury, This Pitmaster Knows He’s Lucky to Be Alive
Chuck Terrell had a horrible accident two years ago. After surgery and therapy, he’s easing his way back into serving his customers at Chuck’s Country Smokehouse, in Carthage.
BBQ Joint Reviews
September 13, 2023
This BBQ Trailer Aims to Serve Good Food to Truck Drivers
Mr. D’s BBQ in Texarkana is located across the street from a truck stop, and offers up chicken and ribs to those who don’t have many options on the road.
BBQ
September 6, 2023
Texas-Style Brisket Continues Its Worldwide Domination With the Bay Area
Two California joints—Horn Barbecue and Breakwater Barbecue—have been racking up prestigious accolades and welcoming a slew of barbecue tourists.
BBQ Joint Reviews
September 1, 2023
Attending a Fall Wedding? You’ll Likely Be Eating Brisket From the Patriotic Pig.
Catering brings in half of this North Richmond Hills joint's business, but you can also stop by the restaurant to try bacon-ranch potato salad and jerk-seasoned turkey.
BBQ Joint Reviews
August 30, 2023
This Pitmaster Sleeps Only Three Nights a Week to Keep His West Texas Joint Running
Luis Gonzales of Luchi’s Smokehouse, in Stanton, balances firing the smoker for his brisket and pork ribs all night with a full-time job at an electric utility.
Recipes
August 21, 2023
Brisket Salad
Ever wish the barbecue main and side would get together? In this dish, you get meaty, smoky goodness and a hefty dose of greens all in one bite.
BBQ
August 17, 2023
Brisket Is Booming in Georgia and South Carolina
The two states have three new Texas-style joints that range from faithful to fusion, implementing traditional Carolina barbecue elements.
BBQ Joint Reviews
August 7, 2023
Nearly Everything Has Improved at This Fort Worth Barbecue Joint, Making It the Best New Spot in Town
While Brix Barbecue isn’t exactly “new,” its myriad upgrades—including a brick-and-mortar—have made it worth revisiting.
BBQ Joint Reviews
July 21, 2023
Barbs-B-Q Provides the Twenty-First-Century Energy Lockhart Needs
The woman-owned joint has had a lot of effusive press—even before officially opening. Luckily it’s living up to its early reputation.
BBQ
July 19, 2023
Named After a Willie Nelson Album, This Texas-Style Barbecue Joint Is Perfectly at Home in Nashville
Shotgun Willie's BBQ started out as a mid-life crisis-inspired venture and went on to be named the best brisket in Tennessee's capital.
BBQ
July 13, 2023
After Seventeen Trips to Texas, This Pitmaster Proves a Worthy Ambassador in Tennessee
Blake Stoker's joint—Blake's at Southern Milling—in Martin, Tennessee, has converted many a customer to loving brisket.
BBQ Joint Reviews
July 6, 2023
Despite Being the Victim of a Brisket Bandit, This West Texas Joint Is Still Serving Juicy Slices
Hill Barbecue in Lubbock has had some issues with thievery and arson, but it perseveres because, to its owners, barbecue is “damn near religion.”
BBQ Joint Reviews
June 30, 2023
These Tacos Make the Valley a Must-Stop on Your Barbecue Tour
El Sancho Tex Mex BBQ, in Mission, innovates with ten different tacos filled with combos like brisket and chilaquiles and chicharrón and pork belly.
Tacos
June 29, 2023
Meet the Borderland Taquero Doubling Down on the Concha Burger
Luis Lara of Proyecto Humo has often felt like his ideas were too big for Laredo, but they’re exactly what the city needs.
BBQ Joint Reviews
June 9, 2023
This Pitmaster Wants to Make El Paso a Barbecue Destination
Joe Martinez has finally found a hobby that pays off with his truck, Smokin’ Joe’s Pit BBQ, which features chile relleno sausage and chili with beans.
BBQ Joint Reviews
May 19, 2023
After 40 Years, This Old-school Fort Worth Barbecue Joint Is Going New School
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.
BBQ Joint Reviews
May 17, 2023
From Crawfish-Loaded Cornbread to Brisket-Stuffed Potatoes, This North Texas Joint Is a Paragon of Indulgence
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.
Sponsored
May 16, 2023
Where’s the (Goodstock) Beef? Discover Houston Restaurants Serving the Finest Texas Beef.
In this edition of “Where’s the (Goodstock) Beef?” we take a trip to Houston and highlight six of our favorite dishes across Space City.
BBQ Joint Reviews
May 11, 2023
Beef Is the Star at This Fully Halal Barbecue Joint in North Texas
Yearby’s Barbecue & Waterice, in Pilot Point, is serving a limited menu until its brick-and-mortar opens, but brisket lovers are in luck.
BBQ Joint Reviews
May 4, 2023
The Original Bodacious Bar-B-Q Is a Gem Once Again
The Lindseys have nurtured a new pitmaster in the family to take over the original location of this chain in Longview after several closures.
BBQ
April 19, 2023
Aaron Franklin Brings a Taste of New Orleans to Austin
An early look at Uptown Sports Club shows gumbo stocked with Franklin Barbecue sausage, a raw bar, and four different po’ boys.
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 14, 2023
A Backsliding Joint Got New Owners and a Whole New Level of Barbecue
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.
BBQ Joint Reviews
April 12, 2023
Brisket & Rice Is Twice as Nice
This Houston-area barbecue joint helmed by three family members serves brisket fried rice and nui xào bò from a gas station.
BBQ Joint Reviews
March 29, 2023
This Pitmaster Hopes His Barbecue Joint Finds a Following So He Doesn’t Have to Go Back to a “Real Job”
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.
BBQ Joint Reviews
March 23, 2023
Can This Barbecue Joint Survive in a Town of Less Than 700 Residents?
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.
BBQ
March 10, 2023
Vegan Brisket and Pulled Pork Can Be (Somewhat) Redeemed by Putting Them in Sandwiches
To make these frozen grocery-store products more edible, I zhuzhed them up with sauce, slaw, and buttered buns, to mixed results.
BBQ Joint Reviews
March 9, 2023
This Small Central Texas Town Needs a Barbecue Joint That’ll Stick Around
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.
BBQ
March 3, 2023
H-E-B’s True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping
What I once claimed was the best barbecue chain in Texas has recently yielded some disappointing results as locations expand.
BBQ
February 15, 2023
The Texas Historical Commission Recognizes Barbecue Joints That Have Turned 50
Two legendary Houston restaurants are up for the Texas Treasures Business Award this year, and they credit perseverance with getting them this far.
Sponsored
February 8, 2023
Ten Creative BBQ Brisket Dishes in Texas
Goodstock by Nolan Ryan believes that a great barbecue experience starts with the highest quality brisket. So if you’ve ever wondered what you could do with the finest Texas beef, check out this list of nine dishes from standout pitmasters using Goodstock.
BBQ
February 1, 2023
How ‘Poker Face’ Re-created an East Texas BBQ Joint for TV
The third episode of the Peacock series starring Natasha Lyonne heavily features Texas barbecue, and gets a surprising amount of detail right.
BBQ Joint Reviews
January 31, 2023
This Barbecue Joint Loves Its Community—and the Small Town Loves It Right Back
Long lines, packed parking, and sold-out meat are regular features of Kat’s Barbecue in Santa Fe, thanks to lauding loyal customers.
BBQ
January 27, 2023
Is the Fourth Slice the Barometer for a Well-Cooked Brisket?
Two pitmaster friends seem to think so. What started as a theory between them has spread into wider barbecue-nerd circles.
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.
Texas Icons
January 17, 2023
Brisket Wasn’t Always King in Texas
Not that long ago, it was regarded by many barbecue aficionados as inferior to shoulder clod. Then things started heating up.
BBQ
December 28, 2022
My Favorite Texas Barbecue Bites of 2022
From traditional smoked brisket to less-traditional Lebanese pork ribs, these twenty dishes blew barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn away.
BBQ
December 23, 2022
Texas-ing Their California: L.A. Gets an Influx of Stellar Barbecue
From the underground to the top of best-of lists, these Los Angeles–area joints have endured a barrage of red tape to serve excellent Texas-style ’cue.
Tacos
December 2, 2022
‘Taco Chronicles’ Highlights Texas’s Barbecue Tacos in Its Latest Season
The Netflix series honors the fusion food by featuring two joints in Dallas and San Antonio. We add two more that could’ve made the cut.
BBQ Joint Reviews
December 1, 2022
This Egyptian-Texan Joint Adds Spice to the Typical Barbecue Tray
Austin’s KG BBQ serves za’atar-dusted pork ribs, brisket shawarma, and pistachio rice pudding in a wholly unique dining experience.
BBQ Joint Reviews
November 17, 2022
Hospitality Is What Customers Return for at This North Texas Barbecue Joint
Of course, Sullivan Old Town BBQ’s twist on a Cuban sandwich, rich pecan pie, and flavorful brisket also encourage multiple visits.
BBQ Joint Reviews
November 11, 2022
An Army Vet Works Through His Trauma by Cooking Barbecue
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.
BBQ
November 2, 2022
Is the Foil-Boat Method the Best Way to Cook Brisket?
Butcher paper–wrapped briskets came into fashion about a decade ago, but more pitmasters and home cooks are opting for the full metal brisket jacket.
BBQ
October 21, 2022
Monterrey, Mexico, Has Some of the Best Barbecue in North America
Our barbecue editor was impressed not only with the quality of the city’s Texas-style ’cue but with the overall love and respect for the cuisine.
BBQ Joint Reviews
October 20, 2022
Barbecue Gets Gussied Up at This Upscale Dallas Restaurant
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.
BBQ Joint Reviews
October 11, 2022
BBQ at the Granary Aims to Keep the Spirit of John Mueller Alive
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.
BBQ Joint Reviews
October 7, 2022
This North Texas Barbecue Joint Was So Popular It Had to Shut Down
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.