Dallas, TX
8 Dallas-area barbecue joints make Texas ‘best’ list
Of the 25 “new and improved” barbecue joints across the state named by Texas Monthly, eight are an easy drive from Dallas-Fort Worth. Haven’t been over to Decatur or Denison in a while? How about Mabank? Crank up the A/C in your car and go for a drive.
“It’s a glorious time to eat Texas barbecue, and I’m more excited than ever for what the future will bring,” barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn writes in the Texas Monthly piece.
In 2021, the magazine released its popular list of the top 50 barbecue joints in the state. Goldee’s in Fort Worth made the No. 1 spot, reminding us again that Cowtown is the capital of Texas barbecue right now. Another big “best of” list won’t come out for several more years, so Vaughn’s latest list acknowledges brand-new barbecue joints — as well as those getting a fresh start — in a shorter format.
Below is a look at the eight barbecue businesses near Dallas on TM’s list.
Arlington restaurant Smoke ‘N Ash BBQ has gotten plenty of press as Texas’ only Tex-Ethiopian barbecue joint. It’s one of the 50 best restaurants in America, The New York Times said in 2022, and it’s among a notable, new generation of pitmasters, the Times said in 2023. Vaughn praises the ribs and brisket rubbed with the Ethiopian spice awaze, and he notes that nearly all of the sides at the restaurant are vegetarian.
Douglas Bar and Grill, one of the higher-end restaurants on the list, is in the heart of University Park. Its namesake, owner Doug Pickering, has created a menu that’s date-night-friendly in the evenings but also approachable for midday barbecue. “The Wagyu brisket is always tender, the glazed ribs have just the right touch of sweetness, and the brisket bullets — bacon-wrapped, meat-stuffed jalapeños — are not to be missed,” the story says. The fried apple pie is “the most perfect.” High praise!
Decatur restaurant North Texas Smoke BBQ has been serving ‘cue from a food truck northwest of Fort Worth since 2022. Vaughn recommends the smoked turkey as an “underrated standout” and says you shouldn’t miss the baked potato salad with bacon.
Take 75 north of Dallas, then keep going, and Denison is just shy of the Oklahoma border. (We’re stretching the definition of D-FW a little bit, but go with it.) Heritage Butchery & Barbecue, in biz since 2022, is a modern meat market that seems worth the drive from anywhere in D-FW. We’ll go for the burgers, a mix of Wagyu and Angus.
On the way south, back to the heart of D-FW, perhaps you’ll stop at another spot on the list, Pit Commander BBQ. It’s in Van Alstyne, a small town between McKinney and Sherman. Get there soon, before the shop closes temporarily in September and October while its team moves to the State Fair of Texas to serve pork belly burnt end pizzas. They were new to the fair in 2022.
Southeast of Dallas, near Cedar Creek lake, lies B4 Barbeque & Boba in Mabank. That’s right, boba tea and smoked meat! Vaughn says this shop is big on flavor, and the Meat Candy makes me think he’s right: They’re pork belly burnt ends with peach jam and crumbled shortbread.
We’ll add Sunbird Barbecue in White Oak to this list, even though it’s 120 miles east of Dallas, in the direction of Longview. Sunbird’s pitmasters came from the lauded Bodacious Bar-B-Q in Longview and are out on their own now, serving brisket and other fixins from a food truck. Vaughn says Sunbird has “some of the best mac and cheese in the state.” Here’s a pic.
You still with me? We’ve headed in just about every direction outside of Dallas except for southwest, where the tiny town of Tolar lies, near Granbury. New barbecue joint Hill City Chophouse is serving peppery brisket and borracho beans, two must-gets, according to Vaughn.
The list of 25 barbecue spots includes others in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Lockhart, Midland, Odessa and more. Find it here.