Introduction to Texas’ Best Barbecue Joints
The state of Texas has a new best barbecue joint. Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin, a small town east of San Antonio, has taken the top spot in Texas Monthly’s new list of the 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas. This list is the latest update to its quadrennial ranking of Texas’ best places for barbecue.
Top 10 Barbecue Joints in Texas
Here’s the new top 10, in order:
- Burnt Bean Co. (Seguin)
- LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue (Austin)
- Goldee’s Barbecue (Fort Worth)
- Redbird BBQ (Port Neches, near Beaumont)
- GW’s BBQ (San Juan Texas in the Rio Grande Valley)
- InterStellar BBQ (Austin)
- Dayne’s Craft Barbecue (Aledo, near Fort Worth)
- LaVaca BBQ (Port Lavaca)
- Truth BBQ (Houston)
- Evie Mae’s Pit Barbeque (Wolfforth, near Lubbock)
Methodology Behind the Rankings
To compile the list, the magazine visited 319 restaurants, including more than 100 personally visited by barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn in January and February. The list is presented as a ranked top 10 with the remaining 40 restaurants listed alphabetically by city. An additional 50 restaurants earn honorable mentions.
Changes in the Rankings
The four newcomers to the top 10 are marked with an asterisk. Compared to 2021, Burnt Bean Co. moves up from No. 4 to No. 1, followed by LeRoy & Lewis, which ranked No. 5 in 2021. Goldee’s, ranked No. 1 in 2021, drops two spots, and InterStellar moves from No. 2 to No. 6. Truth and Evie Mae’s are the only restaurants to make the top 10 in 2017, 2021, and 2025, a nod to their consistent excellence.
Notable Drops and Additions
Conversely, both Snow’s BBQ (Lexington) and Franklin Barbecue (Austin) drop from the top 10 to the second 40 for the first time. In 2021, Snow’s ranked No. 9 and Franklin ranked No. 7. Both restaurants have ranked No. 1 previously, Snow’s in 2008 and 2017 and Franklin in 2013. Cattleack Barbecue (Dallas) and Panther City BBQ (Fort Worth) also drop out of the top 10 but remain in the top 50.
Michelin-Starred Barbecue Restaurants
Notably, only two of the barbecue restaurants to receive a Michelin star — LeRoy & Lewis and InterStellar — make the top 10, but CorkScrew BBQ (Spring) and La Barbecue (Austin) are both in the top 50.
Regional Barbecue Trends
While the overall state of Texas barbecue has never been stronger, the Houston area has lost some status since the 2021 edition of the list. Of the seven restaurants to make the list last time, only Truth, CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, and Pinkerton’s BBQ in the Heights return (Pinkerton’s was recognized for its San Antonio location in 2021). They’re joined by four newcomers: Bar-A BBQ and Jennings & Co. BBQ in Montgomery, Brisket and Rice in Cypress, and Rosemeyer BBQ in Spring.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Texas Monthly’s new list of the 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas has some exciting changes. Burnt Bean Co. takes the top spot, and there are four new additions to the top 10. The list also highlights the consistent excellence of some restaurants, such as Truth and Evie Mae’s, and notes the drop of some previously top-ranked restaurants. Whether you’re a barbecue aficionado or just looking to try some of the best Texas has to offer, this list is a great guide to the best barbecue joints in the state.
