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Texas Monthly 2021 Top 50 BBQ Joints

523,250 Views | 3339 Replies | Last: 9 days ago by lazuras_dc
Koldus131
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AG
Wow, very topical to our conversation today. And apparently it was a portion of that 15% that was being withheld.

CDub06
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AG
Wow. Topical indeed.
VP at Pierce and Pierce
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I will never understand why some owners play these games with employee tips. It is bad business.
justnobody79
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DiskoTroop said:

CDub06 said:

I'll add on to your Tejas post. We went on Saturday as usual. Arrived at 9:55 to get Golden Ticket #3. There were several groups there by opening, but by the time we left at noon, there were just a few people in line. You don't have to show up super early anymore.

Everything was phenomenal as usual. It's still my favorite on this side of Houston. But the prices have gone up noticeably. I'd commented on it, knowing the cost of meat is driving it. Brisket was $36/pound.

After paying, I noticed they're taking on a 15% service fee as well.


This came out to be $220.

A while back, I was surprised at how few people were coming through compared to a few years ago. But it's these prices. That's prohibitive for a lot of people. That's what's shutting the doors at bbq spots.


$220 at 10am for bbq and paying a 15% service fee is too much for me. I have been wanting to try that famous sausage of theirs but I think I just decided against going. Thanks for that!
I get the rising costs of supply and all that, just add it in to the advertised price. Don't try to sneak in a 15% service fee. That just reeks of being shady.

*edit - and now I see the replies on this page.
Aggie Dad 26
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I grew up near Lexington, graduated from HS there... I've never had Snow's unless you're counting their previous BBQ business that used to be on the square

MavsAg
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AG
Anyone know where I can find someone that has a smoker on a trailer that can cook for my company?

We participate in a Midland BBQ event with about 100 companies that cook. We are just a super small company and last year I had to take on finding a smoker, getting it to Midland, and then cooking everything. We looked super low rent and want to step it up this year. I'd obviously be willing to compensate for their time.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
agcrock2005
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AG
Check out FB Marketplace. There are a ton in DFW, but obviously this is a really big market. Might be something you can rent in Midland/Odessa area.
CDub06
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AG
FINALLY planning to knock off Burnt Bean. Anyone know what the waits look like on Saturdays right now?
Aggie Therapist
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AG
Not a subscriber but they had this at work!

Way to go guys!
Beef Cheek
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AG
Was a very positive write up! Had a nice little crowd come in today after seeing that article
Wicked Good Ag
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The Milkman said:



I sadly don't live in TX at this point so I'm always on the search for suitable BBQ. I have to say this was by far the best Texas BBQ I've ever had outside of the state.

This is from 2Fifty BBQ in College Park MD and was really really great. The photo didn't do the brisket any favors, but it was really good. Probably 7.5/10. Ribs and sausage were 10s. Sides were very tasty too.

They had some fun things on the menu like a brisket tamale.

If it was in central TX instead of outside DC this would be a Texas Monthly Top 50 I have no doubt.
Could you give a rough price point for that picture

Just curious
CDub06
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AG
CDub06 said:

FINALLY planning to knock off Burnt Bean. Anyone know what the waits look like on Saturdays right now?

I'll answer my own question.

Showed up at 10am today (Saturday). No one else around. Sat in the car until about 10:20 when several other cars began showing up to preserve our first spot in line. Surprisingly, they opened the doors at 10:30 and said they tend to do that during the summer but don't promote it.



The brisket and ribs were spot on. Ribs are sweeter and the brisket is the standard Salt & Pepper perfection you can find at the top places.

The Moroccan Rubbed Lamb Ribs were good as well, but didn't steal the show. The sausage was good, but the casing wasn't as snappy as you'd like. Good house made sausage, but the weak point.

Some great sides actually. The street corn pudding was an interesting take. But the poblano cheesy squash was a surprise star. The big red tres leches was an awesome finisher.

This spread was for five adults & a 6-year-old, if y'all want to appetite shame me again.
JCRiley09
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AG
Does your 6 year old eat anything other than mac n cheese? Once they developed their own food opinions, I haven't had much success with my littles at bbq joints.
CDub06
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My kid loves barbecue and surprisingly doesn't care for Mac & cheese. Her typical order is moist brisket, ribs, pickles & bread.

Unfortunately, she kinda went HAM at the hotel breakfast this morning and basically just ate a single rib at Burnt Bean.
Beckdiesel03
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AG
How often do they have the lamb ribs? My oldest son loves lamb and I didn't realize this was on their menu.
CDub06
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AG
The lamb was a special menu item. Looks like it's been on the menu for a bit though.
DiskoTroop
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What should I get at J Bar M? Any can't-miss items?

ETA: eh. Brisket was not bad. Corn was good but the mac needs work. Also they need to throw that house made pickle in the trash. Plain old mass produced burger pickle chips would have been better.


CDub06
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AG
Wow. First time I've seen this thread fall off the first page.

I was on my 2010s beat this week. Driving around Texas, hitting barbecue spots for every meal.

Pody's in Pecos was good. Great even, but it may have dropped a couple of ticks from it's heyday. That hominy still rules. They had no ribs, so I went brisket/pulled pork.



Brantley Creek Barbecue in Odessa was a nice surprise. Supurb brisket. The ribs were solid. The sausage was underwhelming. But the venue - it was amazing. Really cool space. Felt like barbecue in a beirgarten.



Let me tell y'all about Pachucos in Midland. I freakin' loved it. The meats were great - textbook stuff at this point. So, not a revelation in that regard. But the menu is incredible. Threw an excellent chicken mole taco on the side. The homemade tortilla was awesome. You know I'm a sucker for the little things like that. Plus a salsa/sauce/pickle bar. Incredible. Oh, and that brisket fried rice was great too.

It's not quite Blood Bros, but it's one of the coolest restaurants I've been to and for Midland? Y'all are lucky. Next time I'm in town, it's stop one (and maybe stop two).



AustinCountyAg
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traveling to Waco Midway for football game tomm night. Any good spots in the area to try?
RED AG 98
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AG
Guess Family is the standard answer. New-ish TM top 25 spot. Really good

Terry Blacks just opened up there recently; haven't been yet though.

Been going to Vitek's and Uncle Dan's both for years. Neither are elite but always good and always available.
CDub06
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AG
Guess Family is the only answer. Blows everything else away. Unless you're coming from the west, then you've got Helberg in Woodway, which is every bit as good.
Mark Fairchild
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AG
Howdy, anyone been to Butter's in Sinton lately???
Gig'em, Ole Army Class of '70
CDub06
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AG
I went around Thanksgiving last year. First time in their new digs. There was no drop off at the new spot. Perfect emulation of Aaron Franklin's style of bbq as always.

I know my parents have been more recently without complaint
CDub06
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AG
New Texas Monthly Barbecue Rankings are out!! (For Texas BBQ outside the state...)
https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/the-united-states-of-texas-barbecue/

It's probably going to be easier to overlook someone here than on the state list, so I'm sure there are some omissions (Pit Fiend in Denver for example).

I've had 8 on this list, though none in the top 10.
DatTallArchitect
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AG
For those of us that don't have a subscription to TM, who is on the list and where are they from?
TXAG 05
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AG
DatTallArchitect said:

For those of us that don't have a subscription to TM, who is on the list and where are they from?


The Top 10
1. Palmira Barbecue, SC

2. Prime Barbecue, NC

3. Owens & Hull, GA

4. Moo's Craft Barbecue, CA

5. Heritage Barbecue, CA

6. Southern Junction, NY

7. Pica Rica BBQ, UT

8. Jon G's Barbecue, NC

9. Edge Craft Barbecue, OK

10. Golden Hour Barbecue, NE
CDub06
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AG
You should get 1-2 free articles a month. Just open the link in incognito mode.
justnobody79
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AustinCountyAg said:

traveling to Waco Midway for football game tomm night. Any good spots in the area to try?
Guess Family and Helberg
Mark Fairchild
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AG
Howdy, finally got off my butt and made the short drive from Rockport to Sinton for Butter's BBQ. Got Brisket, Ribs and Sausage. The ribs and sausage were great and the corm melito (sp) outstanding and I really like the vinegary bbq sauce! However, the brisket, Big Disappointment! Very tasteless, did not impress. Go early or late, DO NOT GO DURING LUNCH, found out the hard way, postage stamps are larger than their parking lot!

Like everything else lately, BBQ is pricing itself out of the market, I guess, course I am old. Say some AEP guys there off their trucks spending nearly $30 for lunch, insane!
Gig'em, Ole Army Class of '70
DatTallArchitect
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AG
Thank you
DatTallArchitect
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AG
Good to know
concac
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AG
TXAG 05 said:

DatTallArchitect said:

For those of us that don't have a subscription to TM, who is on the list and where are they from?


The Top 10
1. Palmira Barbecue, SC

2. Prime Barbecue, NC

3. Owens & Hull, GA

4. Moo's Craft Barbecue, CA

5. Heritage Barbecue, CA

6. Southern Junction, NY

7. Pica Rica BBQ, UT

8. Jon G's Barbecue, NC

9. Edge Craft Barbecue, OK

10. Golden Hour Barbecue, NE
Speaking of Palmira BBQ...

https://instagr.am/p/C_QxWCnAbB6
JoCoAg09
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AG
CDub06 said:

New Texas Monthly Barbecue Rankings are out!! (For Texas BBQ outside the state...)
https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/the-united-states-of-texas-barbecue/

It's probably going to be easier to overlook someone here than on the state list, so I'm sure there are some omissions (Pit Fiend in Denver for example).

I've had 8 on this list, though none in the top 10.
CDub06
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AG
Oof. That's true. If they're reheating brisket, send them to BBQ purgatory.

But my experience there was fantastic! Consistency is key though.
CDub06
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AG
Mark Fairchild said:

Howdy, finally got off my butt and made the short drive from Rockport to Sinton for Butter's BBQ. Got Brisket, Ribs and Sausage. The ribs and sausage were great and the corm melito (sp) outstanding and I really like the vinegary bbq sauce! However, the brisket, Big Disappointment! Very tasteless, did not impress. Go early or late, DO NOT GO DURING LUNCH, found out the hard way, postage stamps are larger than their parking lot!

Like everything else lately, BBQ is pricing itself out of the market, I guess, course I am old. Say some AEP guys there off their trucks spending nearly $30 for lunch, insane!
Odd. I've been 5-6 times (just once at the new location though) and their brisket has always been top notch. Simple S&P + Smoke.

But yeah, the parking is an issue there. I always try to get to bbq spots before 11AM for various reasons - that's one of them. If you're there at noon, you'll be parking down the street


Edit: Here's my modest tray from my visit to their new spot
 
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