Sorry for the belated response. Landers BBQ in Princeton is really good. I know the owner from high school. Marsh used to work at Hutchins in McKinney for a while and branched off on his own. He started with one of those mobile BBQ trailers and regularly sold out due to high demand. The food quality was great when we attended his restaurant's opening night. They have an area up front for live music with plans on expanding that as they develop an outdoor area next to the restaurant. The customer service was top notch, very friendly, and earned my repeat business. Since I knew some of the guys working in the back, I had that "Cheers" vibe going on. This is the kind of place where anybody can develop that relationship with Marsh and his staff. If you are near Princeton, I'd highly suggest giving it a try. I had their brisket and sausage. My girls had their ham. My wife had a chopped beef sandwich. I'm not picky about food, but this was good and reasonably priced.

In Irving, go to Fred's.

Man, yall like expensive places. Get near or south of I-30. I'd much rather go to Odoms or Hardeman's over just about any place listed (and much rather pay for it). For a real change of pace, hit up Crown's in Grand Prairie. Try out the smked baloney. Just don't watch the servers/cooks/restroom maintanence crew that closely.

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Can't believe no one has said Sammy's

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Sammy's, which at one time was my favorite, has turned horrible. I ate there recently and almost took my food up to the country and returned it. Dry, tasteless, and the apple pie? Once the best apple pie I've ever had, now it tastes like it came out of a box.

Go to Lockhart Smokehouse. I don't know about the Plano one, but I ate at the Bishop Arts location last week, and it was awesome. Took my T-Sip friend, because I'm a nice guy, and he said it was so good, he was going to bring his pops. Which I guess is Sip code for "It's really good"

I haven't had the chance to eat at the new Pecan Lodge, but their Boss Lady Red beer (made by Four Corners) is f'n fantastic.

I know it's not in the DFW proper, but if anyone is out in Tyler, go try Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ. It's awesome.

the Lockhart plano location can be great or poor. the lunch batch is usually great, the later batch sometimes comes off dried up

Went to Plano Lockhart Sunday night and it as fantastic. The staff is awesome. Which is kinda the opposite of the actual Lockhart, Tx namesakes.

Can't wait till the new one opens in Richardson, it could be HUGE if it's worth a damn.

Its been a while, but I'll add the Lakewood Whole Foods. It wasn't too bad surprisingly enough.

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It wasn't too bad

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doesn't really fit in with the thread title of "Best BBQ restaurants".

Sammy's is just "ok". I've had worse, but definitely not close to being "Best of". It is right next to my office so I eat there often...honestly, my favorite item is their fried okra.

Also, those complaining about long lines and high prices need to understand those come with the territory. You get what you pay for, and places like Lockhart, Pecan Lodge, Hutchins, etc. have those "inconveniences" for a reason.

To each his own - but to include chains like Bone Daddy's, Rudy's (even Hard Eight) in a "Best of" list is laughable.

a little surprised at all the hate for hard 8. We go to the one in roanoke all the time and have had nothing but great experiences. Their brisket has never been dry in my opinion and the sauce there is awesome. . .

to each its own i guess

Another that has not been mentioned that I like from time to time is Mike Anderson's over by Parkland. Meat is good (not Lockharts or Pecan Lodge good, but good) and the sides are really good. Also up in Plano at Shops of Legacy, Kenny's Smokehouse is REALLY tasty. Not cheap, but the food is really good. The marbled brisket is awesome, the ribs are good, and the sides are incredible. Also, the brisket and cheddar stuffed jalapenos for appetizers are incredible.

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the sauce there is awesome. . .

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To each h is own - but to include chains like Bone Daddy's, Rudy's (even Hard Eight) in a "Best of" list is laughable.

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I only included Rudy's because I go there out of convenience. The BBQ at Rudy though is way ahead of other chains - Spring Creek, Dickeys, etc. Like being the tallest midget, I know. But still, I live a long way away from Lockhart and Pecan Lodge so Rudys is a valid option.

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The BBQ at Rudy though is way ahead of other chains - Spring Creek, Dickeys, etc. Like being the tallest midget, I know.

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I actually agree with this. If I can't get to one of the popular joints, Rudy's is my preferred option of the chains.

I get where you're coming from, and wasn't necessarily trying to single anyone out. I just think any chain joint in general can't compare to the original places you find on most "Best of" lists.

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To each his own - but to include chains like Bone Daddy's, Rudy's (even Hard Eight) in a "Best of" list is laughable.

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You are in Dallas. Bone Daddy's is good for Dallas, at least IMO. Hard Eight in Stephenville was excellent. Don't know about anywhere else. Just because it is a chain does not mean it sucks.

I understand that long lines and high prices go with good BBQ. I will wait however long it takes for certain places. Some (Pecan Lodge) are simply not worth it.

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I will wait however long it takes for certain places. Some (Pecan Lodge) are simply not worth it.

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Sorry, but you are definitely in the minority on this one. Agree to disagree...

The poster that mentioned the place in Cresson is correct. BBQ on the Brazos is really good and you dont have to mess with lines, etc. Not quite Franklin's level (but who is?), but really good brisket, ribs, and sausage. I also like their pecan pie cobbler. Very solid establishment. I have read where he is looking to open a place in Fort Worth which would instantly move it above all the poor BBQ places in cowtown.

I know this isn't Dallas, but it is a TexAg forum...next time you make the trip to College Station go to Fargo's in Bryan. They usually sell out by around 3, but I have never had to wait in line like Franklin's or Pecan Lodge. Franklin's is, of course, in their own league but Fargo's is the next best that I have had.

Fogot to mention Bailey's in FW.

Man yall are some picky, expensive eaters. Get south of I-30 and things get a lot cheaper. I get annoyed if I spend more than $8-10 total.

$8-$10? What are you getting - a chopped sandwich and a side of beans?

Actually, I prefer good greens or cabbage over beans.

It really depend on where I go. Crown's in GP, you can have a full meal and drink for $7.

But yes, chopped beef, bowl of greens and sweet tea is my standard.

Baileys is delicious.

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I know this isn't Dallas, but it is a TexAg forum...next time you make the trip to College Station go to Fargo's in Bryan. They usually sell out by around 3, but I have never had to wait in line like Franklin's or Pecan Lodge. Franklin's is, of course, in their own league but Fargo's is the next best that I have had.

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IMO better than Pecan Lodge but nothing special.

I like Coopers in North Ft Worth a lot.

I wasn't impressed with Cooper's when I went 3 weeks ago. Beef rib was tender and seasoned well but lacked smoky flavor. Brisket was ok but not good enough to be considered best in DFW...or maybe it is since we have so few great bbq places.

I ate Cooper's on a Friday night and had John Mueller's BBQ in Austin that Sunday...Cooper's was terrible compared to John Mueller's but that wouldn't surprise anyone. Mueller's had by far some of the best brisket I've tried. I wish we'd get more Central Texas style BBQ joints up here.

I like some of the other items at Coopers but the brisket is pretty average. Those pork chops are damn good though.

Thanks for expanding my To Do list for the Metroplex.

My rankings for the places I've tried in the area:
Lockhart Smokehouse (Dallas): A
Hutchins (McKinney): A
Pecan Lodge (Dallas): A
BBQ on the Brazos (Cresson): A-
Woodshed Smokehouse (FW): B+
Meshack's (Garland): B
Big Al's (Dallas): B-
Longoria's (Everman): B-
Tredway's (Corinth): B-
Bartley's (Grapevine): B-
Cousin's (FW): B-
Metzler's (Denton): C-
Angelo's (FW): C-
Kelly's Eastside (Plano): D (Fantastic burgers though, duh)

To Do List:
Smoke
Billy’s Oak Acres Bar-B-Q
Off The Bone Barbeque
Landers BBQ
Casstevens Cash & Carry
4-T'S Bar-B-Q Catering
Jambo's BBQ Shack
Cattleack Barbeque
3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House
Cooper's
Baker's Ribs
Slow Bone BBQ
Baby Back Shak
Big Daddy's Roadhouse BBQ
Mack's Barbeque
Hank's Texas Grill

I don't spend a lot of time in the Metroplex so I have some work to do.

[This message has been edited by CDub06 (edited 6/26/2014 8:59a).]

My top 5 looks like dis:

1. Pecan Lodge
2. Lockhart Smokehouse (either location - have been to both multiple times and it is always delicious)
3. Hutchins BBQ
4. The Slow Bone
5. 3 Stacks Smoke & Taphouse

I might have to give Hutchins a try again...I just was not impressed.

I use Hutchins for catering quite a bit and it's better than any time I've been there for dinner. Lunch has been pretty consistent too.

Dinner twice and we left disappointed.


My advice is go for lunch or don't go at all.

Solid advice from Oregon. Used to live in Princeton, and every time we went there for dinner we left disappointed.

Bakers Ribs is a local chain. I really like it. Brisket is quite good. Nice smoke ring.