Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints 2025

[Roadtrip635]

Texas Monthly has just put out their Top 50 BBQ joints in Texas list. For those that may or may not know, Texas Monthly only puts out this list every 4 years, kinda like the Texas BBQ Olympics and is THE list for BBQ joints. It's fun to see who made the list and who didn't, did your fav places make it, do you agree with the list and maybe find a new place to try.

Here's their Top 10

1. Burnt Bean
2. Leroy & Lewis
3. Goldee's
4. Redbird
5. GW's
6. Interstellar
7. Dayne's
8. LaVaca
9. Truth
10. Evie May's

I've been to Burnt Bean and Interstellar, both are exceptional.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/interactive/top-50-bbq-2025/

 

[Tabascocat]

Hutchins BBQ in Frisco is outstanding. They have smokers the size of small buses outside. I would put them up against most places in Texas. Franklin Barbecue should be in that top ten.

 

[Hardline]

The best BBQ in Texas are little mom and pop back road joints that most people never heard of.

 

[Rockport]

Franklins BBQ in Austin.

 

[CyberB0b]

Hutchins BBQ in Frisco is outstanding. They have smokers the size of small buses outside. I would put them up against most places in Texas. Franklin Barbecue should be in that top ten.

This is my go to place. My wife and I had a random Friday off and went down to Goldee's. We took lawn chairs and hung out for a couple of hours and ate. The brisket was the best I have ever had, but not enough above Hutchins to make me want to go do that again. Glad I went, but I will take Hutchins all day long. Hutchin's brisket is like a 9.5 and Goldee's is a 10.

Hutchin's sides are way better, and their Texas Twinkies are amazing.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Hutchins BBQ in Frisco is outstanding. They have smokers the size of small buses outside. I would put them up against most places in Texas. Franklin Barbecue should be in that top ten.

If you like true TX BBQ with nothing but a salt and pepper rub Franklin should be in. Surprised Snow's BBQ in Lexington and Barb's in Lockhart didn't make it.

 

[Tabascocat]

If you like true TX BBQ with nothing but a salt and pepper rub Franklin should be in. Surprised Snow's BBQ in Lexington and Barb's in Lockhart didn't make it.

Never been to Snow’s but there are some local gems in and near Lockhart. I even like Joels right off the I10. It is always my goto when driving from Cali to Houston for a quick fix.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Never been to Snow’s but there are some local gems in and near Lockhart. I even like Joels right off the I10. It is always my goto when driving from Cali to Houston for a quick fix.

Snow's pit master is 90 year old lady named Tootsie who mans/womans the coal pit all day and has forearms bigger than Micah Parsons. They're open Saturday's only and in the middle of nowhere east of Austin. I found them driving to College Station and took my family back a few weeks later it was so good.

 

[Tabascocat]

Snow's pit master is 90 year old lady named Tootsie who mans/womans the coal pit all day and has forearms bigger than Micah Parsons. They're open Saturday's only and in the middle of nowhere east of Austin. I found them driving to College Station and took my family back a few weeks later it was so good.

Yea, I saw some show about that place awhile ago with Gordon Ramsey. It looks pretty tasty

 

[Roadtrip635]

This is my go to place. My wife and I had a random Friday off and went down to Goldee's. We took lawn chairs and hung out for a couple of hours and ate. The brisket was the best I have ever had, but not enough above Hutchins to make me want to go do that again. Glad I went, but I will take Hutchins all day long. Hutchin's brisket is like a 9.5 and Goldee's is a 10.

Hutchin's sides are way better, and their Texas Twinkies are amazing.

I've heard of Hutchins and would like to try Goldee's someday, but they're a fair piece from me down around San Antonio. My favorites are the old school joints, Kruez in Lockhart and City Market in Luling, been going to those places further back than I can remember. Franklin's probably has the best brisket I've ever tried, but it's an ordeal to eat some BBQ. There is a lot more great BBQ around than there used to be and plenty of places I would love to try.

 

[Roadtrip635]

Snow's pit master is 90 year old lady named Tootsie who mans/womans the coal pit all day and has forearms bigger than Micah Parsons. They're open Saturday's only and in the middle of nowhere east of Austin. I found them driving to College Station and took my family back a few weeks later it was so good.

Snow's has been on my BBQ Bucket List for quite awhile. I gotta make that pilgrimage soon, Tootsie is not getting any younger!

 

[VaqueroTD]

Suddenly very hungry….

 

[speedkilz88]

If you like true TX BBQ with nothing but a salt and pepper rub Franklin should be in. Surprised Snow's BBQ in Lexington and Barb's in Lockhart didn't make it.

They made the top 50, just not the top 10.

Lexington

Snow’s BBQ
Opened: 2003
Pitmasters: Kerry Bexley, 58; Clay Cowgill, 43; Tootsie Tomanetz, 90
Method: Post oak; offset smoker and direct-heat pit
Pro tip: Bring a folding chair—people start to line up on Friday night ahead of the Saturday-only service.
Get to Snow’s early. Like, really early. On a recent visit, the line was about fifty people deep by 4:45 a.m. on the one day a week Snow’s is open. It’s always a good time visiting the joint that has previously ranked ninth (2021), second (2013), and first (2008 and 2017) on our list. You’ll share drinks and conversation with travelers from as far as Scotland and Brazil. You might even win a Yeti cooler in a raffle organized by owner Kerry Bexley. But most important, the pilgrimage to Lexington is about experiencing the craft of Tootsie Tomanetz, the ninety-year-old matriarch of Texas barbecue. When you finally make it into the building, order the classics: smoke-kissed brisket, meaty spareribs, and pork steaks—a Snow’s specialty. Don’t forget to snap a picture with Tootsie before you go. 516 Main; 979-773-4640. Sat 8–sold out.

Lockhart

Barbs B Q
Opened: 2023
Pitmaster: Chuck Charnichart, 26
Method: Post oak; offset smoker
Pro tip: Bring a few friends and order the $150 Full House, which is a generous sampler of four meats and all the sides and desserts. And add a lamp chop, if they haven’t sold out.
Before you even take a bite, you can tell that Barbs B Q is bringing a new kind of energy to the Lockhart scene. Instead of smoke-blackened walls, you’ll find pink accents and cartoon-related decor. After opening two years ago, Barbs quickly earned praise from the likes of Bon Appétit, The New York Times, and Michelin. Because the joint’s so hyped and open so few hours, expect to spend time waiting in line in the charming downtown square. Pitmaster Chuck Charnichart brings her Brownsville roots to the menu, giving traditional meats a bit of kick. The ribs are serrano glazed, and the staff will zest fresh limes over them as they’re plated at the counter. The sausage is fajita flavored—Barbs B Q describes it as a “more Mexican-style jalapeño cheddar.” And don’t forget to order a side of the comforting green spaghetti—noodles drenched in a creamy poblano sauce. 102 E. Market; no phone. Sat & Sun 11–sold out.

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