Let's talk about Texas Barbecue joints.
Below, I've listed the Texas Monthly Top 50 Barbecue Joints in the World…by Rating! They are listed by name, where they're located, and then their Texas Monthly score.
The ones in red are the ones I’ve tried. And, I know Daniel Vaughn rates then on everything they serve, including sides. And, that may be why we differ on some...as I only rate them on brisket, sausage, and if they serve them, beef ribs.
And, of course, we all know you can't go wrong with Franklin's...but I think all of them rated 4.5 and above are outstanding. But, my favorite place, day in and day out, is Louie Mueller's in Taylor...and it has been since the 80's, when I lived in Austin. It's always been at or near the top in every list ever made. And, I think Wayne Mueller is a true gentleman, as he just loves to share his knowledge with everyone who asks. Plus, the history of that building. Thoughts?
Even though some people rave about Salt Lick barbecue, personally I wouldn’t even give it the 3.25 that Texas Monthly did. I think Daniel is being VERY nice rating them that high. Texas Monthly has Freedmen’s in Austin, and Bet the House in Denton, both rated at 3.0, and I think they are both better than Salt Lick. My rating for Salt Lick would be maybe a 2.75. They’re kind of between one of our poor local joints, Big Jake’s, and Rudy’s. It’s more a novelty than a good barbecue joint. And, it is a fun place to visit. But, I think it’s really for city slickers and Texas visitors. But, if they’re rating Texas barbecue based on this place, they are missing out.
So, what do other Texas barbecue guys think about Texas barbecue joints? Are there any others in your area that I need to try?
Below, I've listed the Texas Monthly Top 50 Barbecue Joints in the World…by Rating! They are listed by name, where they're located, and then their Texas Monthly score.
The ones in red are the ones I’ve tried. And, I know Daniel Vaughn rates then on everything they serve, including sides. And, that may be why we differ on some...as I only rate them on brisket, sausage, and if they serve them, beef ribs.
And, of course, we all know you can't go wrong with Franklin's...but I think all of them rated 4.5 and above are outstanding. But, my favorite place, day in and day out, is Louie Mueller's in Taylor...and it has been since the 80's, when I lived in Austin. It's always been at or near the top in every list ever made. And, I think Wayne Mueller is a true gentleman, as he just loves to share his knowledge with everyone who asks. Plus, the history of that building. Thoughts?
Franklin’s -Austin-5.0
Pecan Lodge-Dallas- 4.75
Snow’s BBQ-Lexington-4.75
Louie Mueller Barbecue -Taylor-4.75
Killen’s Barbeque-Pearland-4.75
John Mueller Meat Co.-Austin-4.5
La Barbecue-Austin-4.5
Lockhart Smokehouse-Dallas-4.5
Joseph’s Riverport Barbecue-Jefferson-4.5
Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ-Llano-4.5
Opie’s Barbecue-Spicewood-4.5
Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue-Tyler-4.5
Fargo’s Pit BBQ-Bryan-4.5
Kirby’s Barbeque-Mexia-4.5
Black’s Barbecue-Lockhart-4.25
Kreuz Market-Lockhart-4.25
Micklethwait Craft Meats-Austin-4.25
Miller’s Smokehouse-Belton-4.25
Bodacious Bar-B-Que-Longview-4.25
BBQ on the Brazos-Cresson-4.25
Cousin’s Bar-B-Q-Ft Worth-4.25
Buzzie’s Bar-B-Que-Kerrville-4.25
Hutchin’s BBQ-McKinney-4.25
Cranky Franks Barbecue Co.-Fredericksburg-4.25
City Meat Market-Giddings-4.25
Brooks’ Place-Cypress-4.25
Lamberts Downtown Barbecue-Austin-4.25
Austin’s BBQ & Catering-Eagle Lake-4.25
Meshack’s Bar-B-Que-Garland-4.25
Gatlin’s BBQ & Catering-Houston-4.25
Cowpoke’s -Pearsall-4.25
Two Bros. BBQ Market-San Antonio-4.25
Corkscrew BBQ-Spring-4.25
Schmidt Family BBQ-Bee Cave-4.0
Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew-Austin-4.0
Hays Co. Bar-B-Que-San Marcos-4.0
Bob’s Bar-B-Que-Henderson-4.0
Blue Moon Barbecue-Normangee-4.0
Tyler’s Barbecue-Amarillo-4.0
The Granary ‘Cue & Brew-San Antonio-4.0
The Original Willie’s Bar-B-Q-Amarillo-4.0
McMillan’s Bar-B-Q-Fannin-4.0
Longoria’s BBQ-Ft Worth-4.0
Leon’s World’s Finest Bar-B-Q-Galveston-4.0
Bartley’s Bar-B-Que-Grapevine-4.0
Virgie’s Bar-B-Que-Houston-4.0
Billy’s Old Fashion BBQ-Jasper-4.0
Hitch-N-Post BBQ-Livingston-4.0
City Market-Luling-4.0
Hatfield’s BBQ-Rockport-4.0
Other Texas barbecue joints I have eaten at (this list only includes Texas joints), some have ratings in Texas Monthly, some do not:
Naaman’s Championship BBQ-Texarkana-NR - I’d give it a 4.75, it's that good.
Meat Church-Waxahachie-NR - I’d give it a 4.5
Heim Barbecue(will at Red Dirt)-Ft Worth-4.0
Slovacek’s (sausage only)-Snook-NR - I’d give it a 4.0
The Slow Bone-Dallas-3.75
Country Tavern (ribs only)-Kilgore-3.75
Dubya’s Smokehouse (ribs only)-Hawkins-NR - I’d give it a 3.5
The Salt Lick-Driftwood-3.25
Freedmen’s Bar & BBQ-Austin-3.0
Bet the House BBQ-Denton-3.0
Longhorn Smokehouse -Big Sandy-NR - I’d give it a 3.0
Rudy’s BBQ-Tyler & Bryan-NR - I’d give it a 3.0
Soulman’s Bar-B-Que-Royce City-NR - I’d give it a 2.5
Big Jake’s BBQ-Texarkana-NR - I’d give it a 2.5
Randy’s Smokehouse-New Boston-NR - I’d give it a 2.0
Bishop’s Brisket House-Palestine-NR - I’d give it a 2.0
Dickey’s BBQ-Buffalo-NR - I’d give it a 1.0
Billy Sims Barbecue-Texarkana-NR - I’d give it a 1.0
Even though some people rave about Salt Lick barbecue, personally I wouldn’t even give it the 3.25 that Texas Monthly did. I think Daniel is being VERY nice rating them that high. Texas Monthly has Freedmen’s in Austin, and Bet the House in Denton, both rated at 3.0, and I think they are both better than Salt Lick. My rating for Salt Lick would be maybe a 2.75. They’re kind of between one of our poor local joints, Big Jake’s, and Rudy’s. It’s more a novelty than a good barbecue joint. And, it is a fun place to visit. But, I think it’s really for city slickers and Texas visitors. But, if they’re rating Texas barbecue based on this place, they are missing out.
So, what do other Texas barbecue guys think about Texas barbecue joints? Are there any others in your area that I need to try?
Last edited: