Narrowing down my list of best Texas-style barbecue joints in the United States outside of Texas has been no easy task. Even though there are a hefty 53 impressive options (it was hard to get the number to an even 50!), I felt there were a handful of other places around the country that deserved shout-outs as well—thus my additional lineup of 25 honorable mentions.
I also wanted to acknowledge some joints that aren’t doing Texas-style barbecue per se but have menus worth celebrating across a variety of styles: Sonoran style, at Papalo, in La Mesa, California; Florida style, at Tropical Smokehouse, in West Palm Beach, Florida; Miami style, at Smoke & Dough, in Miami, Florida; Cleveland style, at Mabel’s BBQ, in Cleveland, Ohio (and Las Vegas); Virginia style, at County Smoak, in Lynchburg, Virginia; Chinese barbecue with Southern smoke, at King BBQ, in Charleston, South Carolina; whatever delicious stuff they’re doing at Heritage Smokehouse, in Baltimore, Maryland; and Jake Wood’s own unique style of barbecue, served only at Lawrence Barbecue, in Durham, North Carolina.
The search didn’t take me to every Texas-style joint in the country, but I did my best. Unlike the Texas Monthly Top 50 search, which includes multiple tasters and scouts, I did this one solo. Missing a few deserving spots is unfortunately inevitable, which is why I welcome your suggestions for the barbecue joints I need to add to my to-do list. I’m hoping to once again see Boomin Barbecue, in Minneapolis; Fox&Fire Barbecue, in Kansas City; and Heffer BBQ, in Chicago, serving from places of their own. I also wish the timing had worked for Crydermans Barbecue, in Cocoa, Florida, and Federal Hill Smokehouse, in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Here is my list of the best of the rest, along with my recommendations for what to order.
Avondale, Arizona
Eric’s Family Barbecue
Order: Backyard brisket burger
Bentonville, Arkansas
Beach BBQ
Order: Brississippi-style brisket sandwich
Hemet, California
Destination Smokehouse & Eatery
Order: Smoked oxtails
Lemon Grove, California
Coop’s West Texas Barbecue
Order: Homemade Texas sausage
Oakland, California
Horn Barbecue
Order: Jalapeño-cheddar sausage
Poway, California
Smokin J’s BBQ
Order: Cali J-Rito burrito
Denver, Colorado
Post Oak Barbecue
Order: Collard greens and corn muffins with honey butter
Atlantic Beach, Florida
ABBQ Meat & Drink
Order: Jalapeño-cheddar sausage and onion rings
Tampa, Florida
The Brisket Shoppe
Order: Brisket Bon Bon
Cumming, Georgia
Socks’ Love Barbecue
Order: Beef sausage
Chicago, Illinois
Sanders BBQ Supply Co.
Order: Smoked brisket and sweet potato cornbread
Plainfield, Illinois
Station One Smokehouse
Order: Jalapeño-cheese sausage
Luther, Iowa
Whatcha Smokin BBQ
Order: Chocolate brownie with peanut butter buttercream
Belle Chasse, Louisiana
LA23 BBQ
Order: Smoked half chicken
New Orleans, Louisiana
Blue Oak BBQ
Order: Pork belly cracklins
New Orleans, Louisiana
Devil Moon Barbecue
Order: Smoked beef cheek sandwich
Lincoln, Nebraska
Canyon Joe’s Barbecue
Order: Pork spareribs
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Mutiny BBQ Company
Order: Smoked turkey breast
Cincinnati, Ohio
Just Q’in BBQ
Order: Pastrami sandwich
Columbus, Ohio
Hoggy’s BBQ
Order: Smoked and fried wings with Jamaican Me Crazy sauce
Kent, Ohio
Joe’s Barbecue
Order: Smoked brisket
Memphis, Tennessee
Bain Barbecue
Order: Pork ribs and mac and cheese
Draper, Utah
Les BBQ
Order: Smoked oxtails
Marysville, Washington
Jeff’s Texas Style BBQ
Order: Smoked turkey breast
Seattle, Washington
Wood Shop BBQ
Order: Smoked jalapeño mac and cheese
#United #States #Texas #Barbecue #Honorable #Mentions
