{"id":234217,"date":"2025-09-17T16:24:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T16:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/234217\/"},"modified":"2025-09-17T16:24:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T16:24:14","slug":"new-best-barbecue-list-includes-several-texas-surprises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/234217\/","title":{"rendered":"New best barbecue list includes several Texas surprises"},"content":{"rendered":"

Among Southern Living\u2019s list of the 50 best barbecue joints in the South<\/a>, three in Texas made the top 10. <\/p>\n

In total, an impressive 17 on the list hail from the Lone Star State. And five of those are from Dallas-Fort Worth.<\/p>\n

But the list contained plenty of surprises, too. Some restaurants named in Southern Living did not match Texas Monthly\u2019s Top 50 list or Michelin\u2019s picks from 2024<\/a>. Historic Lockhart restaurants Kreuz Market and Smitty\u2019s Market, which are 125 years old and 77 years old, respectively, are some of the best in the South, SL said, but they often are not listed among best-of lists in Texas today.<\/p>\n

The magazine\u2019s barbecue editor Robert F. Moss ranked all 50 restaurants \u2014 an impressive feat, given how small the differences can be between the country\u2019s best. See the full list here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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Southern Living\u2019s favorite barbecue joints in Texas:\"Tootsie<\/p>\n

Tootsie Tomanetz, the pitmaster at Snow’s in Lexington, is a barbecue legend.<\/p>\n

Vernon Bryant \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

Snow\u2019s BBQ in Lexington:<\/b> Formerly Southern Living\u2019s best barbecue joint in the South on its last list<\/a>, released in 2023, Snow\u2019s slid to No. 2. (Which is still impressive.) It\u2019s been beloved in Texas for years and internationally known since Netflix show Chef\u2019s Table featured Snow\u2019s female pitmaster Norma \u201cTootsie\u201d Tomanetz, now 90 years old. \u201cIt\u2019s an adventure no barbecue fan should miss,\u201d barbecue editor Moss writes. Indeed, that\u2019s a refrain we\u2019ve heard many times.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related<\/p>\n

\"Barbecue<\/p>\n

Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor<\/b>: At No. 4, this restaurant sits in the same spot it did two years ago. Good choice: Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn said in 2024 that a bite of brisket at this out-of-the-way spot \u201cchanged my life.\u201d<\/a> If you\u2019re not hungry, you\u2019re about to be after this SL excerpt: \u201cThe lushly-marbled brisket has a caramel-like sweetness to its bark, and the pork ribs are firm but juicy beneath a peppery but sweet glaze. The turkey is smoky and tender, and the taut casing of each house-made sausage link crackles and snaps as you bite, revealing a savory filling with a peppery heat that surges slow and steady on the tongue.\u201d<\/p>\n

LeRoy & Lewis in Austin<\/b>: This Michelin-starred Austin restaurant started as a food truck and is now a full-blown restaurant. It raced up SL\u2019s list, from No. 26 two years ago to No. 5 today. The burger is great.<\/p>\n

Kreuz Market in Lockhart<\/b>: On the list at a high No. 13, this historic spot \u201cremains an essential Texas barbecue experience,\u201d the magazine said. It\u2019s known for sausage, but Moss chose to highlight two others: the bone-in pork chops and lean shoulder clod.<\/p>\n

\"Panther<\/p>\n

Panther City kitchen manager Fabi\u00e1n Alvarado reacts after Panther City BBQ was named a \u2018Recommended\u2019 restaurant during the Texas Michelin Guide ceremony in November 2024.<\/p>\n

Juan Figueroa \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

Panther City BBQ in Fort Worth<\/b>: At No. 15, Panther City is the highest Dallas-Fort Worth restaurant on the list. It is Michelin Recommended<\/a>. The magazine said \u201ceverything that comes off the five big Moberg smokers is excellent\u201d \u2014 great praise.<\/p>\n

Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue in Tomball<\/b>: The name\u2019s confusing, but the food is not. \u201cOnly in Texas could you find an artisanal chocolate shop where, just past the glass case of handmade truffles, a big chalkboard menu offers brisket, pulled pork, turkey and pork belly,\u201d SL writes.<\/p>\n

Franklin Barbecue in Austin<\/b>: You can\u2019t have a best barbecue list in the South without honoring Franklin Barbecue, whose owner Aaron Franklin was the first pitmaster to win a James Beard Award. SL calls him an \u201cinternational barbecue celebrity.\u201d It ranked No. 20.<\/p>\n

Truth Barbeque in Houston<\/b>: Houston\u2019s first entry on the list is No. 27, Truth. The magazine said it may have \u201cHouston\u2019s best version of the classic Texas Trinity,\u201d which meatheads know as the quintessential barbecue order of brisket, sausage and pork ribs. The magazine also gives appropriate praise to Truth\u2019s sides.<\/p>\n

Barbs B Q in Lockhart<\/b>: New-school joint Barbs landed at a respectable No. 28. In addition to pitmaster Chuck Charnichart\u2019s great traditional \u2018cue, the magazine liked her green spaghetti, a poblano noodle dish surprising enough to work.<\/p>\n

Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin<\/b>: Robbed! Burnt Bean is one of the best barbecue joints in the country<\/a>, not just in the South. SL picked it as No. 31. <\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A platter with brisket, sausage, turkey, ribs, homemade brioche, sides and desserts is seen at Goldee\u2019s Barbecue in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n

Chitose Suzuki \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

Goldee\u2019s Bar-B-Q in Fort Worth<\/b>: Formerly No. 9 on SL\u2019s list, Fort Worth spot Goldee\u2019s is now No. 37, a likely surprise to Texans who love it. (Goldee\u2019s was Texas Monthly\u2019s No. 1 pick in 2021<\/a> and its No. 3 pick in 2025<\/a>.) \u201cThere\u2019s moist, pepper-crusted brisket, thick pork ribs finished with a sweet, tangy glaze and splendidly peppery sausage links,\u201d writes Moss. \u201cThe sides hew toward the simple and traditional, too, like yellow-tinged potato salad, savory beans in a rich tomato-studded broth, and gooey cheese grits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Micklethwait Barbecue in Austin<\/b>: Several Texas barbecue owners credit the owner of Micklethwait as a mentor to young pitmasters. It landed at No. 38. Moss\u2019 favorite bite was the spiced lamb sausage, and he recommends the green chili grits.<\/p>\n

\"Dayne's<\/p>\n

Dayne’s Craft Barbecue co-owners Dayne Weaver and his wife Ashley Weaver opened a barbecue restaurant in a historic building in Aledo, outside of Fort Worth<\/p>\n

Chitose Suzuki \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

Dayne\u2019s Craft Barbecue in Aledo<\/b>: True story: Dayne\u2019s moved to a new location, in Aledo, after the production crew for one of Taylor Sheridan\u2019s TV shows took over the address he planned to use in Fort Worth. He told The Dallas Morning News he\u2019s better for it, and his customers are, too. After you order a platter, from this No. 40 spot, don\u2019t miss the brisket burger.<\/p>\n

Blood Bros. BBQ in Bellaire<\/b>: Look for \u201cbarbecue fusion\u201d at Blood Bros, SL\u2019s No. 42 pick. The magazine\u2019s editor calls out the gochujang ribs and brisket fried rice as two good examples.<\/p>\n

\"Todd<\/p>\n

Todd David, right, founded Cattleack Barbeque. He sold it to Andrew Castelan in 2023.<\/p>\n

Jeffrey McWhorter \/ Special Contributor<\/p>\n

Cattleack Barbeque in Dallas\/Farmers Branch<\/b>: One of Dallas\u2019 most beloved barbecue joints, Cattleack, is listed at No. 43. The new owner<\/a> has expanded Cattleack\u2019s hours so more folks can stop in for brisket, turkey and Hatch chile mac and cheese.<\/p>\n

Hurtado Barbecue in Arlington<\/b>: SL credits Hurtado as one of the fastest-growing pitmasters on its list. That can be hard to do well in barbecue, but this No. 46 entry has mastered Mexicue, the magazine said. Baseball fans should look for it inside the Texas Rangers\u2019 ballpark.<\/p>\n

Smitty\u2019s Market in Lockhart:<\/b> Another historic Lockhart restaurant, Smitty\u2019s, ranks No. 47. \u201cThere\u2019s still no barbecue experience quite like walking down the long, smoke-blackened hallway and stepping into the pit room at Smitty\u2019s Market,\u201d Moss writes. And he\u2019s right.<\/p>\n