I ate at Dozier's a couple of weeks ago. Brisket was terribly over-salted and pretty dry. Won't be going back.

This is just some photos of a pork butt I did, nowhere near best in the state.

Thread related because this thread always inspired me to one day get my own smoker and start trying my hand at it.

I just bought a house and for the first time have a backyard I can cook in. I bought recteq backyard beast and my first time smoking a pork butt. There are a few things I would do differently, one would be do an overnight so I don't feel rushed as I did up the temp after wrapping. I also would have rested for 2 hours rather than 1. But it tasted great, used the HEB bbq rub, and mopped it with some apple juice/cider vinegar mixture. Then when wrapped put some apple juice in there as well. I am sure I got plenty wrong along the way but it tastes great and plan to be doing some pulled pork sandwiches and tacos.Going to freeze 2/3 of it so I can break that out in future weeks.

Anybody had a chance to try Parish Barbecue in Austin. Owner & Pitmaster Holden Fulco putting a Cajun twist on Central TX BBQ. He's also worked at Interstellar BBQ, Franklins, & Pinkerton's.


https://austin.eater.com/2025/4/3/24400330/austin-parish-barbecue-opening-food-photos-menu

Interesting. They weren't even on my radar. Looks cool.

I'm going to see if I can get over this Friday. Going to be in my Austin Energy office Friday. If I do get over follow up with a field report

Don't sleep on the smoked wings at Stiles Switch!

New top 50 is coming out next month. Any predictions on #1? I'm going with Burnt Bean.

Burnt Bean for sure will be in contention. Reese Bros. has to be near the top as well.

We visited the the Helberg location today, and it didn't disappoint.

Tried Burnt Bean for the first time last week. Line wasn't too crazy on a Friday. Easy in my top 4 brisket and ribs. Very very good.

Koldus131 said:

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New top 50 is coming out next month. Any predictions on #1? I'm going with Burnt Bean.

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There needs to be a new thread for the 2025 Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints

DatTallArchitect said:

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Koldus131 said:

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New top 50 is coming out next month. Any predictions on #1? I'm going with Burnt Bean.

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There needs to be a new thread for the 2025 Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints

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Personally I think it is kind of nice to have all of the barbecue talk in one place.

Is there a way to flag the mods to change the title? We could probably just take out the year and make it evergreen

JCRiley09 said:

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Is there a way to flag the mods to change the title? We could probably just take out the year and make it evergreen

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I've found if a few people flag the post that mods will see it and may oblige.

Consider yourself flagged.

Bar A, Barbs, Burnt Bean all have to be in top 5 I believe. I was cooking at the Syndicate Smokedown in Fort Worth this weekend and Bar A had a lean slice of brisket served on a martins potato bread slice with homemade pickled red onions and gold sauce and it was incredible. How that lean wasn't all dried out and nasty I have no idea but still had some moisture to it and was delicious.

I pretty much nailed all my predictions on the first page 4 years ago, so naturally I'm gonna follow that up and probably shoot 0% on the 2025 list but here are a few thoughts.

Overall I think it's just going to be a continuation of the 2021 mindset. Meats are still very important but with everybody doing such a good job on the staples, it'll be more about specialty meats, sides, and desserts that a place is doing to get them on the list.

Of the two big hitters for many years and multiple lists, Franklin and Snows, I think one of them isn't in the top 10 any more. Both will still make the top 50, but neither are doing anything specialty, just classic central texas style cooking, and I think TM won't reward them as highly for doing so. (Not saying I agree with it, but just predicting).

Truth, Burnt Bean, and Leroy and Lewis all stay in the top 10. Could see BB taking the new #1 slot.

1775 makes the list and gets the B/CS area back with some representation.

Bar A in Montgomery will make the list, as will Redbird BBQ in Port Neches.

Quote:

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Of the two big hitters for many years and multiple lists, Franklin and Snows, I think one of them isn't in the top 10 any more.

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I'm a nobody, but very much agree. I think Snow's is in and Franklins (who started all this chaos) is out of the top 10 for sure.

agfan2013 said:

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I pretty much nailed all my predictions on the first page 4 years ago, so naturally I'm gonna follow that up and probably shoot 0% on the 2025 list but here are a few thoughts.

Overall I think it's just going to be a continuation of the 2021 mindset. Meats are still very important but with everybody doing such a good job on the staples, it'll be more about specialty meats, sides, and desserts that a place is doing to get them on the list.

Of the two big hitters for many years and multiple lists, Franklin and Snows, I think one of them isn't in the top 10 any more. Both will still make the top 50, but neither are doing anything specialty, just classic central texas style cooking, and I think TM won't reward them as highly for doing so. (Not saying I agree with it, but just predicting).

Truth, Burnt Bean, and Leroy and Lewis all stay in the top 10. Could see BB taking the new #1 slot.

1775 makes the list and gets the B/CS area back with some representation.

Bar A in Montgomery will make the list, as will Redbird BBQ in Port Neches.

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Unpopular opinion, but I think Truth is overrated, haven't been to the original, only the Houston location. I'm not saying it isn't good, because it is pretty good, but every time I go there, I always think that I should have gone to Pinkertons or Pit Room instead.

I have only been to the Truth in Brenham not the inside the loop location. We love it because of their sides and cake slices. As stated in this thread, most of the meats put out by the top places are all good. The sides and desserts are what has to start to differentiate them. I also like Truth because I can call 2 days in advance and place a pickup order and skip the line.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/fire-craft-bbq-kingwood/?utm_source=texasmonthly&utm_medium=email&user_email_address=dc0fa0bc9e345a12beccd6c1de048353bd7fd96350ba85616b15929359cbab2c&utm_campaign=TM%20This%20Week%204-18-25&utm_term=TM%20This%20Week?utm_source=texasmonthly.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sharebutton

Paging DiskoTroop

JCRiley09 said:

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Is there a way to flag the mods to change the title? We could probably just take out the year and make it evergreen

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Just noticed this worked!

JCRiley09 said:

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https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/fire-craft-bbq-kingwood/?utm_source=texasmonthly&utm_medium=email&user_email_address=dc0fa0bc9e345a12beccd6c1de048353bd7fd96350ba85616b15929359cbab2c&utm_campaign=TM%20This%20Week%204-18-25&utm_term=TM%20This%20Week?utm_source=texasmonthly.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sharebutton

Paging DiskoTroop

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Hope some folks in this thread like bbq crow.

Neat surprise to find at a 3am baby feeding. Dave texted me when DV came both times. The first time he missed him by 15 min. He was sick to his stomach that the crew that day didn't recognize him!!

An incredibly mediocre BBQ plate from Sugarfire in St Louis. It had a supposedly 4.6/5 rating. Visual appeal is up there with the NY bbq pic a few years ago.

At least the beer looks good.

DiskoTroop said:

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JCRiley09 said:

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https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/fire-craft-bbq-kingwood/?utm_source=texasmonthly&utm_medium=email&user_email_address=dc0fa0bc9e345a12beccd6c1de048353bd7fd96350ba85616b15929359cbab2c&utm_campaign=TM%20This%20Week%204-18-25&utm_term=TM%20This%20Week?utm_source=texasmonthly.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=sharebutton

Paging DiskoTroop

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Hope some folks in this thread like bbq crow.

Neat surprise to find at a 3am baby feeding. Dave texted me when DV came both times. The first time he missed him by 15 min. He was sick to his stomach that the crew that day didn't recognize him!!

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Without clicking, is this firecraft? I went this past year. It was good. Not great. But good for kingwood.

You're very generous with mediocre.

That wouldn't look that bad if the tray wasn't so damn big. In a world where every plate ends up on instagram, you gotta know how to present your food. It won't help the taste, but a small tray for small orders would help with the eye test.

Has anyone here ever tried Thorndale Meat Market? I've passed through Thorndale many times but never tried them.

Bar A Barbecue in Montgomery.



Arrived at 10:50. Short line. Eating by 11:10.

Business has certainly picked up. The line was out the door by 11:30

I've wondered the same thing. I've never stopped but driven by many times. Actually planned on stopping by recently, but was late getting out of Waco, so I just ate at the new Terry Blacks there

CDub06 said:

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Bar A Barbecue in Montgomery.



Arrived at 10:50. Short line. Eating by 11:10.

Business has certainly picked up. The line was out the door by 11:30

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Fully expect them to be in the Top 10 in the new rankings. Also they use REO Spice & Seasoning Rubs out of Huntsville, TX

Ive heard that. And I've always enjoyed them for being really good bbq with practically no wait. Super convenient for us to take out of towners.

Top 50 worthy for sure. But wouldn't be in my top 10. Tejas is still my top spot in the northern suburbs.

CDub06 said:

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Bar A Barbecue in Montgomery.



Arrived at 10:50. Short line. Eating by 11:10.

Business has certainly picked up. The line was out the door by 11:30

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That looks great. Need a reason to get down there to try them out. So pissed that I found out about them about 9 months ago AFTER I drove through Montgomery to pick up my wife's car in Houston. Drove right by it and could have stopped in.

Ate at Eaker's BBQ in Fredericksburg last week, and Texas Country Reporter was there doing a shoot. Episode should be out later this year, October/November time period.

Always great food there!