21. Nik’s Not Normal BBQ – Canyon Lake

Known For: Tender brisket and giant loaded potatoes
Get This: Brisket sandwich, XXL baked potato
Sides: Mac and cheese, chorizo black beans
Desserts: Rotating sweets
Hours: Fri–Sun: 11 AM – 6 PM
Fun Fact: A quirky roadside stop that grew popular with Hill Country locals via word of mouth.
Pros: Big portions, offbeat vibe
Cons: Limited seating, weekend only

22. Style Switch BBQ – Austin

Known For: Consistently good brisket and sausage
Get This: Brisket, pork ribs, jalapeño cheddar sausage
Sides: Mac and cheese, collard greens
Desserts: Banana pudding
Hours: Daily: 11 AM – 9 PM
Fun Fact: Opened by Lance Kirkpatrick, formerly of Louie Mueller Barbecue.
Pros: Reliable quality, family friendly
Cons: Can feel commercial, not as smoky as others

23. Barbs B Q – Lockhart

Known For: Modern takes on classic BBQ
Get This: Brisket, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos mac
Sides: Pickled veg, mac and cheese
Desserts: Seasonal desserts
Hours: Fri–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: One of the few female pitmaster-run spots in the BBQ capital of Texas.
Pros: Bold flavors, fresh vibe
Cons: Newer, still refining consistency

24. Kafi BBQ – Irving

Known For: Halal Texas BBQ with Iraqi influence
Get This: Wagyu brisket, lamb ribs
Sides: Sumac slaw, pickled veggies, pita
Desserts: Baklava
Hours: Fri–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Combines traditional Iraqi spices with Central Texas-style smoking.
Pros: Totally unique, inclusive for halal diners
Cons: Limited hours, outdoor seating only

25. Blood Bros BBQ – Bellaire

Known For: Asian-Texas BBQ fusion
Get This: Char siu pork belly, brisket fried rice
Sides: Szechuan cucumbers, Thai slaw
Desserts: Asian-inspired sweets (rotating)
Hours: Wed–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Run by three childhood friends blending Chinese, Vietnamese, and classic BBQ styles.
Pros: Wildly creative, tons of flavor
Cons: Small space, long wait on weekends

26. LeRoy and Lewis BBQ – Austin

Known For: Experimental smoked meats
Get This: Beef cheeks, cauliflower burnt ends
Sides: Kimchi slaw, cheesy grits
Desserts: Bread pudding
Hours: Thu–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Known as a “New School BBQ” truck, they’ve earned national praise while still serving from a trailer.
Pros: Inventive menu, high culinary standards
Cons: Small outdoor seating, niche flavors not for everyone

27. Brett’s BBQ Shop – Katy

Known For: Craft brisket and classic Texas-style service
Get This: Brisket, pork ribs, jalapeño sausage
Sides: Green beans, potato salad, spicy corn
Desserts: Banana pudding
Hours: Wed–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Originally operated out of a trailer before earning a loyal following and opening a brick-and-mortar.
Pros: Balanced flavors, friendly service
Cons: Small dining area, sells out fast

28. Tejas Chocolate + BBQ – Tomball

Known For: Chocolate and smoked meats
Get This: Brisket, mole sauce, truffles
Sides: Carrot soufflé, slaw
Desserts: House-made truffles and bark
Hours: Tue–Sat: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: BBQ and artisan chocolate under one roof — and it totally works.
Pros: Original concept, high-quality everything
Cons: Small interior, quick sellouts

29. Feges BBQ – Houston

Known For: Chef-driven sides and modern BBQ
Get This: Whole hog, brisket, Korean braised greens
Sides: Moroccan carrots, dirty rice
Desserts: Banana pudding with cornflakes
Hours: Mon–Sat: 11 AM – 9 PM
Fun Fact: Run by a husband-wife duo—he’s a pitmaster, she’s a trained sommelier.
Pros: Diverse menu, elevated experience
Cons: Indoor food court vibe may not appeal to purists

30. Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ – Austin

Known For: Brisket tacos and breakfast options
Get This: Brisket taco, smoked carnitas
Sides: Charro beans, guacamole, chips
Desserts: Sweet empanadas
Hours: Daily: 8 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Combines Central Texas BBQ with South Texas Tex-Mex heritage, wrapped in a warm tortilla.
Pros: Delicious mashup, breakfast BBQ done right
Cons: Outdoor seating only, limited parking

32. The Switch BBQ – Dripping Springs

Known For: Hybrid Central and Cajun-style BBQ
Get This: Brisket, boudin sausage, smoked turkey
Sides: Cajun rice, spicy slaw, green beans
Desserts: Bread pudding with whiskey sauce
Hours: Daily: 11 AM – 9 PM
Fun Fact: Operated by the team behind Stiles Switch BBQ in Austin, but with a Cajun twist.
Pros: Big portions, creative Cajun options
Cons: Inconsistent wait times, can be loud

33. Pustka Family BBQ – Temple

Known For: No-frills BBQ done right
Get This: Brisket, jalapeño sausage, ribs
Sides: Cream corn, mustard potato salad
Desserts: Seasonal cobblers
Hours: Sat–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: A small-town gem that began as a competition team and earned a cult following.
Pros: Friendly service, authentic flavor
Cons: Limited days, small indoor seating

34. Smokin’ Z’s BBQ – Castroville

Known For: Hidden gem outside San Antonio
Get This: Brisket, pork ribs, smoked sausage
Sides: Creamy corn, slaw
Desserts: Banana pudding
Hours: Fri–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: A weekend-only roadside stop that locals rave about for its consistent quality.
Pros: Off-the-beaten-path find, affordable prices
Cons: Short hours, mostly outdoor dining

35. J-Bar-M BBQ – Houston

Known For: Sleek space and live music
Get This: Brisket, pork belly, jalapeño sausage
Sides: Bacon green beans, mac and cheese
Desserts: Cheesecake
Hours: Wed–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: One of the newest BBQ joints in East Downtown Houston with a stage and bar.
Pros: Great ambiance, live music, full bar
Cons: Newer operation still finding its groove

36. Slow Bone BBQ – Dallas

Known For: Tender brisket and generous portions
Get This: Brisket, smoked chicken, pork ribs
Sides: Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, fried okra
Desserts: Banana pudding, cobbler
Hours: Mon–Fri: 11 AM – 2:30 PM; Sat–Sun: 11 AM – 3 PM
Fun Fact: One of the few spots in Texas offering fried chicken alongside award-winning smoked meats.
Pros: Consistent, well-rounded menu
Cons: Lunch only, limited seating

37. The Pit Room – Houston

Known For: Tacos and smoked meats
Get This: Brisket taco, smoked turkey, ribs
Sides: Charro beans, spicy cole slaw
Desserts: Tres leches, flan
Hours: Daily: 11 AM – 9 PM
Fun Fact: Famous for making their own flour tortillas in-house daily.
Pros: Flavor-packed menu, diverse offerings
Cons: Urban location, parking can be tough

38. Tejas Barbecue & Chocolate – Tomball

Known For: Brisket and chocolate pairing
Get This: Mole-brushed brisket, pork belly
Sides: Carrot souffle, jalapeño slaw
Desserts: Handcrafted truffles
Hours: Tue–Sat: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: The only BBQ joint in Texas where you can get both smoked meat and gourmet chocolate under one roof.
Pros: Inventive concept, high execution
Cons: Seating limited, early sellouts

39. Mill Scale Metalworks & BBQ – Lockhart

Known For: Pop-ups and specialty events
Get This: Brisket, beef ribs (when available)
Sides: Rotating based on event
Desserts: Seasonal options
Hours: Varies – follow their pop-up schedule
Fun Fact: Better known for building custom smokers, they host events showcasing their craft on-site.
Pros: Cool concept, high-quality meats
Cons: Irregular hours, check social for updates

40. Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue – Pflugerville

Known For: BBQ with global sandwich influence
Get This: Brisket banh mi, spicy pulled pork
Sides: Cream corn, Asian slaw, chipotle rice
Desserts: Bourbon banana pudding
Hours: Tue–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Famous for creative sandwiches that blend BBQ with Asian, Tex-Mex, and Southern influences.
Pros: Bold, unique flavors
Cons: Small shop, gets busy fast

41. Roegels Barbecue Co. – Houston

Known For: Classic Central Texas-style BBQ with housemade touches
Get This: Brisket, smoked turkey, pork ribs
Sides: Smoked corn, collard greens, jalapeño rice
Desserts: Pies and rotating sweets
Hours: Tue–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Pitmaster Russell Roegels worked at Baker’s Ribs for over 15 years before opening his own spot.
Pros: Solid all-around, dependable
Cons: Smaller space, fills up quickly

42. Eaker Barbecue – Fredericksburg

Known For: Korean-inspired BBQ
Get This: Gochujang pork ribs, kimchi fried rice, brisket
Sides: Kimchi, pickled daikon, potato salad
Desserts: Mochi cake
Hours: Thu–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Owners previously ran a top BBQ spot in South Korea before moving to Texas.
Pros: Flavor-forward, unique offerings
Cons: Limited days, high demand

43. Revolver Taco Lounge Purveyor BBQ – Fort Worth

Known For: High-end BBQ with Mexican roots
Get This: Wagyu brisket, lengua tacos, smoked duck
Sides: Mexican rice, pickled onions, tortillas
Desserts: Flan, tres leches
Hours: Fri–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: A spinoff of the acclaimed Revolver Taco Lounge — this place fuses fine dining with smoked meat.
Pros: Upscale fusion, artfully plated
Cons: Higher price point, niche menu

44. Smokin’ Moon BBQ – Pharr

Known For: Valley-style smoked meats and tacos
Get This: Brisket tacos, pork ribs, turkey
Sides: Mexican street corn, creamy mashed potatoes
Desserts: Banana pudding, tres leches
Hours: Thu–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: A standout in the Rio Grande Valley’s small but mighty BBQ scene.
Pros: Bold spices, strong local following
Cons: Long drive for most Texans

45. JNL Barbecue – Austin

Known For: Brisket and smoked turkey
Get This: Sliced brisket, turkey, pork ribs
Sides: Potato salad, beans, jalapeño slaw
Desserts: Banana pudding
Hours: Thu–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Husband-and-wife team formerly worked at Franklin Barbecue — now making waves with their own pit.
Pros: Franklin-style excellence without the line
Cons: Outdoor seating only, weekend crowd

46. Hays Co. BBQ – San Marcos

Known For: Relaxed hill country BBQ
Get This: Brisket, sausage, pork chops
Sides: Green beans, creamed corn, potato salad
Desserts: Banana pudding, peach cobbler
Hours: Tue–Sat: 11 AM – 8 PM; Sun: 11 AM – 6 PM
Fun Fact: Family-friendly spot with frequent live music and picnic-table style dining.
Pros: Great for groups, classic menu
Cons: Can be crowded on weekends

47. Helberg BBQ – Waco

Known For: Central Texas-style BBQ with a twist
Get This: Brisket, turkey, house sausage
Sides: Jalapeño cheese grits, green beans
Desserts: Banana pudding, chocolate cake
Hours: Wed–Sat: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Faith-based operation that earned loyal fans with serious flavor.
Pros: High-quality, welcoming vibe
Cons: Closed most of the week

48. Texas Q BBQ – Katy

Known For: Family-style BBQ with flair
Get This: Brisket, pork ribs, brisket elote
Sides: Mac and cheese, elote, green beans
Desserts: Banana pudding, seasonal pies
Hours: Thu–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Regularly competes and wins in BBQ competitions across Texas.
Pros: Solid variety, friendly service
Cons: Short hours, suburban location

49. Railhead Smokehouse – Fort Worth

Known For: No-frills, roadhouse-style BBQ
Get This: Chopped beef sandwich, sausage, ribs
Sides: Fries, potato salad, baked beans
Desserts: Brownies, cobbler
Hours: Mon–Sat: 11 AM – 9 PM
Fun Fact: Classic Texas roadhouse experience with ice-cold beer and smoky air.
Pros: Fun setting, solid BBQ
Cons: Not as refined as some newer joints

50. Hatfield’s BBQ – Rockport

Known For: Coastal BBQ with craft flair
Get This: Brisket, pulled pork, ribs
Sides: Sweet slaw, cornbread, potato salad
Desserts: Key lime pie, banana pudding
Hours: Fri–Sun: 11 AM – Sold Out
Fun Fact: Known as the best BBQ on the Texas coast by hungry beachgoers.
Pros: Coastal favorite, scenic spot
Cons: Weekend-only, limited seating

🏆 Top 5 Rankings by Category

🔥 Best Brisket

1. Franklin Barbecue – Austin

2. Goldee’s Barbecue – Fort Worth

3. Hurtado Barbecue – Arlington

4. Truth BBQ – Houston

5. JNL Barbecue – Austin

🐷 Best Ribs

1. Snow’s BBQ – Lexington

2. Black’s Barbecue – Lockhart

3. Panther City BBQ – Fort Worth

4. Helberg BBQ – Waco

5. Kreuz Market – Lockhart

🍗 Best Chicken

1. Slow Bone BBQ – Dallas

2. Roegels Barbecue Co. – Houston

3. The Switch BBQ – Dripping Springs

4. The Pit Room – Houston

5. Hays Co. BBQ – San Marcos

🦃 Best Turkey

1. Evie Mae’s Pit Barbecue – Wolfforth

2. JNL Barbecue – Austin

3. Hurtado Barbecue – Arlington

4. Eaker Barbecue – Fredericksburg

5. CorkScrew BBQ – Spring

🌭 Best Sausage

1. Louie Mueller Barbecue – Taylor

2. 2M Smokehouse – San Antonio

3. Micklethwait Craft Meats – Austin

4. Brett’s BBQ Shop – Katy

5. Roegels Barbecue Co. – Houston

🍽️ Best Sides

1. Interstellar BBQ – Austin (Smoked scalloped potatoes)

2. Reese Bros BBQ – San Antonio (Poblano mac & cheese)

3. The Switch BBQ – Dripping Springs (Cajun rice)

4. Style Switch BBQ – Austin (Collard greens)

5. Pinkerton’s Barbecue – Houston (Jalapeño cheese rice)

🍰 Best Desserts

1. Franklin Barbecue – Austin (Bourbon banana pie)

2. Tejas Chocolate + BBQ – Tomball (House-made truffles)

3. J-Bar-M BBQ – Houston (Cheesecake)

4. Brett’s BBQ Shop – Katy (Banana pudding)

5. The Pit Room – Houston (Flan)

🌟 Best Experience

1. Snow’s BBQ – Lexington (Legendary weekend-only atmosphere)

2. Smitty’s Market – Lockhart (Historic smokehouse vibe)

3. J-Bar-M BBQ – Houston (Live music and bar)

4. The Pit Room – Houston (Fresh tortillas + urban vibe)

5. Roegels Barbecue Co. – Houston (Classic and consistent)

🧠 Most Unique BBQ

1. Blood Bros BBQ – Bellaire (Asian-Texas fusion)

2. Eaker Barbecue – Fredericksburg (Korean-style BBQ)

3. Revolver Taco Lounge Purveyor BBQ – Fort Worth (Fine dining BBQ fusion)

4. Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue – Pflugerville (International sandwiches)

5. Tejas Barbecue & Chocolate – Tomball (Brisket + chocolate combo)

⏱️ Least Wait Time

1. The Switch BBQ – Dripping Springs (Efficient service, open daily)

2. Railhead Smokehouse – Fort Worth (Spacious seating, quick turnover)

3. Roegels Barbecue Co. – Houston (Fast and consistent)

4. Style Switch BBQ – Austin (Well-staffed, steady flow)

5. Hays Co. BBQ – San Marcos (Family-style setup, smooth service)

6. Blood Bros BBQ – Bellaire (Asian-Texas fusion)

7. Eaker Barbecue – Fredericksburg (Korean-style BBQ)

8. Revolver Taco Lounge Purveyor BBQ – Fort Worth (Fine dining BBQ fusion)

9. Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue – Pflugerville (International sandwiches)

10. Tejas Barbecue & Chocolate – Tomball (Brisket + chocolate combo)

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