Texas’ New Best Barbecue Joint
The state of Texas has a new best barbecue joint, according to Texas Monthly’s latest list of the 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas. Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin, a small town east of San Antonio, has taken the top spot.
The 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)
How the List Was Compiled
To compile the list, Texas Monthly visited 319 restaurants, including more than 100 personally visited by barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn in January and February. The list is published every four years and is considered a definitive ranking of Texas’ best barbecue joints.
Changes to the Top 10
Compared to 2021, there are some notable changes to the top 10. Burnt Bean Co. moves up from No. 4 to No. 1, while LeRoy & Lewis moves up from No. 5 to No. 2. Goldee’s, which ranked No. 1 in 2021, drops two spots to No. 3. InterStellar BBQ 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 Omissions
Some notable barbecue joints have dropped out of the top 10, including Snow’s BBQ (Lexington) and Franklin Barbecue (Austin). Both restaurants have ranked No. 1 previously, but now find themselves in the second 40. Cattleack Barbecue (Dallas) and Panther City BBQ (Fort Worth) also drop out of the top 10 but remain in the top 50.
The State of Houston Barbecue
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. 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, Texas Monthly’s latest list of the 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas is a must-read for any barbecue enthusiast. With new restaurants rising to the top and old favorites falling out of favor, the list is a great resource for anyone looking to try the best barbecue in Texas. Whether you’re a native Texan or just visiting, the list is a great guide to the state’s vibrant barbecue scene.
