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Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints

680,832 Views | 3750 Replies | Last: 20 hrs ago by jreg90
Beef Cheek
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The "surprise" name I heard for Top 10 is LaVaca BBQ. Excited to see what happens Tuesday.
CDub06
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Today's the Day. 8am for subscribers. 9am for the rest
Koldus131
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https://www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/top-50-bbq-2025/

Can't say I disagree at all with the top 3!
CDub06
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Two spots in Montgomery??

Teddy's got passed by GWs

Some surprises in here
CowtownAg06
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Burnt Bean is the new #1. L&L #2. Congrats Beef Cheek!.
Beef Cheek
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Exciting new list!! Thanks yall.

Also VERY pumped to see Stiles Switch on the list
TXAG 05
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Still think Truth is overrated. It's really good, but every time I go there I think I should have gone to Pinkertons or Pit Room instead.


Interesting list for sure. Looks like bbq with TexMex influence is the hot trend. Can't wait to dive in to the list and plan some trips to try these places.
htxag09
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TXAG 05 said:

Still think Truth is overrated. It's really good, but every time I go there I think I should have gone to Pinkertons or Pit Room instead.


Interesting list for sure. Looks like bbq with TexMex influence is the hot trend. Can't wait to dive in to the list and plan some trips to try these places.
Interesting, Truth is by far my favorite spot. Now, I haven't been to most of the non-Houston places on the list. But I'd choose Truth over Pit Room and/or Pinkertons any day (I do like all of them, though).
CowtownAg06
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Same here.

I don't think it's just the mexican influence but also asian and middle eastern. All good things for eaters.
showtime
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Happy to see that for Pope Ernest & Co. 2M, Hurtado, Zavala, Valentina's (RIP) are all some of my favorites.
CowtownAg06
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I think the honorable mention is another 50, so you basically have a top 100.
agfan2013
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Got fairly close on a few of my guesses a couple pages ago, not shocked to see Burnt Bean at #1, I've had most of their menu outside of the Sunday brunch stuff and it's all fantastic. Congrats to Beef Cheek and the L&L team at #2! Well deserved there as well.

And looks like both Franklins and Snows fell out of the Top 10, which is crazy for the multiple lists where they were trading out #1 and 2 spots. I think its still worth admiring that they perfected the central Texas style of cooking and kept it traditional, just all these sides, specialty meats, and more is what makes a place stand out now.

I'm sure someone will run the stats but the average age of restaurants on this list has to be around 10 years old or less, I think I counted only a handful that were older than 2010. Crazy how much bbq has changed over the last 16 years since Franklin's opened.

Still think 1775 deserves a spot on the list, I see they made honorable mention again. Have been wanting to get to Redbird BBQ, bet that line is gonna be ridiculous now.

I'm always surprised when I see someone not like Truth, they've been my favorite in the state for a long time. I've always had phenomenal bbq there, and love the sides and desserts as well. Have eaten at both Brenham and Houston spots plenty of times and it's always great and they move the line quickly. One of the best top 10 spots in terms of quality of food to time you wait in my opinion.
Matsui
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Can someone map out the top 50
And honorable mention on a google map doc?
Matsui
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I'm a huge daynes fan so I'm happy they made it
Bulldog73
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On the article, there is a link to the map. They also have an app that has mapping.
Captain Winky
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Interesting to see Blood Bros BBQ in Houston/Meyerland drop off the list. I am not sure if they were on last year's, but the year they were mentioned there were huge lines which have definitely died down since.
CDub06
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I've been driving all morning (to Decatur and their newly top 50 spot is closed tuesdays ) and had some of these thoughts rolling around in my head.

If there was any question after the last list, this clearly shows the emphasis is firmly on "what else can you do?" Louie Mueller is the only old school classic Texas barbecue place on this list? Heck, Franklin is one of the oldest places in the top 50 at this point.

Aaron Franklin changed the whole game. He perfected the classic Texas barbecue model. But he also he taught everyone how to make near perfect brisket & ribs, so nearly all of these places are near that level on those meats. That's a must. But now, what sets you apart?

That's why Franklin fell off the list. His sides are unremarkable. Snows has the experience and atmosphere and pork steaks, but it wasn't enough to contend with the new school barbecue.

The new school has creative sides, homemade desserts, and fusion. If I was gunning for the top 10, I'd be adding middle eastern flavor to my menu. That seems to be the new trend chasing the Mexican and Asian flavors that have become a part of some of my favorite places. My jam is still the TexMex Texas Barbecue though.

Aaron Franklin could probably do that if he wanted to be top ten again. But he has no interest in that. That's not what it's about to him. His impact on Texas barbecue is insane. He's a legend and built on the legendary pitmasters before him - the Muellers, Blacks, Kreuz, etc

But now it's places like Goldees that are growing the new new school. They've made their mark, spinning off pitmasters and new top 50 places like Redbird and Sabar.
I'm not sure where it goes from here, but Texas barbecue will continue evolving and growing.
CowtownAg06
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They made honorable mention, so top 100.
BurnetAggie99
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I thought Reese Bros might crack the Top 10 with everything the do but didn't happen. Also BBQ Station also in SA is deserving of Honorable Mention. They turn out some really solid BBQ at great prices.
Matsui
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Matsui
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i love the evolution. i'm from lockhart and grew up eating at the main 4 places and it was focused on meats. but now i love the alternative cuts of meat and the ephasis on creative sides and desserts. it completes the meal.
GAC06
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Their map needs some work. It shows Dayne's in pretty much downtown Fort Worth
CDub06
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Oh. One other thing. Why wasn't Texas Barbecue THIS good 10-15 years ago when I was spending my days driving around Texas? I was mostly getting mediocre meats with sides straight out those big plastic tubs.
drewser95
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Matsui said:

I'm a huge daynes fan so I'm happy they made it
Took I field trip out there a couple of Fridays ago when I heard they might be Top 10, to beat the rush. Was not disappointed with anything (mixed brisket, sausage, potato salad, kolache). Was tough to abstain from ordering the chocolate lasagna or the banana dessert.
Matsui
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agcrock2005
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Congrats to AustinAgChef for getting Pustka Family BBQ into the Honorable Mention section. Not too shabby wnen Texas Monthly says you're in the top 100 in the entire state!
JohnnyShotgun
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Proud to say #5 on the list, GW's BBQ in San Juan is my cousin's place. I knew they were going to make the list, but blown away by their listing at #5. If you ever get down that way, please stop by, the BBQ is amazing. The sides and deserts are some of the best I have had anywhere, and I live in Austin and have been to them all. What a great day for GW's!
Koldus131
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Congratulations!! Can't wait to make it down there and try it
500,000ags
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L&L and Burnt Bean were both at Hot Luck this weekend. Both very good!

L&L just casually handing out beef ribs and Burnt Bean with smoked leg and elote.



Quinn
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My cousin's joint Smoke Session Barbecue made the Honorable Mentions, which was pretty cool to see. Give it a visit if you're ever over in Royse City.
Head Ninja In Charge
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Trapped behind the paywall. Can someone be a hero and post the full Top 50?
tsuag10
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Found that someone posted this on a thread on the TTech boards…

TOP 10:

1. Burnt Bean Co., Seguin
2. LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, Austin
3. Goldee's Barbecue, Fort Worth
4. Redbird BBQ, Port Neches
5. GW's BBQ, San Juan
6. InterStellar BBQ, Austin
7. Dayne's Craft Barbecue, Aledo
8. La Vaca BBQ, Port Lavaca
9. Truth Barbeque, Houston
10. Evie Mae's Pit Barbeque, Wolforth

BEST OF THE REST: (11-50, unranked)

Abilene:
Jay's BBQ Shack

Austin:
Briscuits
Franklin Barbecue
KG BBQ
La Barbecue
Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen
Stiles Switch BBQ

Beaumont:
1701 Barbecue

Belton:
Miller's Smokehouse

Brenham:
LJ's BBQ

Crockett:
Mimsy's Craft Barbecue

Dallas:
Slow Bone BBQ
Smokey Joe's BBQ

Decatur:
North Texas Smoke BBQ

Farmer's Branch:
Cattleack Barbeque

Fate:
Smoak Town BBQ

Fort Worth:
Sabar BBQ
Panther City BBQ

Harker Heights:
Rossler's Blue Cord Barbecue

Houston:
Brisket & Rice
Pinkerton's Barbecue

Lexington:
Snow's BBQ

Lockhart:
Barbs B Q

Longview:
Sunbird Barbecue

Mabank:
B4 Barbeque

Midland:
The Half Acre

Montgomery:
Bar-A-BBQ
Jennings & Co. BBQ

Nacogdoches:
Brendyn's BBQ

Olton:
Rejino Barbeque

Pilot Point:
Yearby's Barbecue & Waterice

San Antonio:
2M Smokehouse
Reese Bros Barbecue

Sinton:
Butter's BBQ

Spring:
CorkScrew BBQ
Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q

Sulpur Springs:
Slaughter's BBQ

Taylor:
Louie Mueller Barbecue

Weslaco:
Teddy's Barbecue

Woodway:
Helberg Barbecue



HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Arlington:
Hurtado Barbecue
Smoke 'N Ash BBQ

Austin:
Distant Relatives
Micklethwait Barbecue
Rollin Smoke BBQ
Terry Black's Barbecue

Baytown:
Space City B-B-Q

Bellaire:
Blood Bros. BBQ

Belton:
Schoepf's BBQ

Brownsville:
Vera's Backyard Bar-B-Que

Buda:
Louie's Craft BBQ

Canyon Lake:
Nik's Not Normal

College Station:
1775 Texas Pit BBQ

Dayton:
Weaver's BBQ

Del Valle:
Henry's Barbecue

Eagle Pass:
Choche's BBQ & Bar

El Paso:
Desert Oak Barbecue
Hallelujah! BBQ

Fort Worth:
Brix Barbecue
Smoke-A-Holics BBQ

Fredericksburg:
Eaker Barbecue

Gilmer:
East TX Rust BBQ

Gonzales:
Baker Boys BBQ

Grand Prairie:
Zavala's Barbecue

Houston:
Feges BBQ
Gatlin's BBQ
J-Bar-M Barbecue
Roegels Barbecue Co

Hutto:
BBQ Fiends

Jacksonville:
JW's Barbecue

Katy:
Brett's BBQ Shop

Lockhart:
Kreuz Market

Lubbock:
Jimnez y Friends

Marathon:
Brick Vault Brewery & Barbecue

McKinney:
Hutchins BBQ

Mission:
El Sancho Tex Mex BBQ

North Richland Hills:
Patriotic Pig Smokehouse

Odessa:
Brantley Creek Barbecue

Pearland:
Killen's Barbecue

Pflugerville:
Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue

Richmond:
Harlem Road Texas BBQ

Royse City:
Smoke Sessions Barbecue

Sisterdale:
Black Board Bar B Q

Slaton:
Pitforks & Smokerings BBQ

Temple:
Pustka Family Barbeque

Tolar:
Hill City Chop House

Tomball:
Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue

Tyler:
Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue

Wimberley:
Kelly's Hill Country BBQ

Winnie:
Mout's Barbeque
tsuag10
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Yet again, there are several in the Honorable Mentions list that I think are far better than several in the Top 50.

I'll just pick on one in particular: Louie Mueller in my opinion is a TX BBQ institution, but it's been pretty average the past couple of times I've stopped. I'm sure they get a little extra credit because of their historical status. Idk
DiskoTroop
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tsuag10 said:

Yet again, there are several in the Honorable Mentions list that I think are far better than several in the Top 50.

I'll just pick on one in particular: Louie Mueller in my opinion is a TX BBQ institution, but it's been pretty average the past couple of times I've stopped. I'm sure they get a little extra credit because of their historical status. Idk


Absolutely agreed. Quite honestly, after several stops in Victoria, I don't understand the LaVaca ranking. It's fine, sure, but they are not doing anything special.
CDub06
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Is it crazy to attempt a visit to Daynes at 12:30 today!? I could swing it…
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