The only thing hotter than the barbecue in Texas is the debate over who is the true master of the pit. Make sure you’ve got some Wet-Naps handy for this city by city battle royale – this is going to get messy.
The Meaty Details
Austin, TX
The biggest difference between Texas barbecue styles is the prominence of the sides, and one of the best examples of Texas’ “meat comes first” mentality comes in the Czech- and German-influenced Central Texas style. Here, in cities like Austin, huge, succulent slabs of oak- and pecan-smoked beef (specifically the packer cut of brisket, which includes both the lean flat and marbled point cuts) are the peppery stars of most menus.
Houston, TX
Beef reigns supreme throughout Texas, although Houston and its fall-off-the-bone East Texas barbecue style heavily incorporates both beef and pork smoked over hickory. Pepper, brown sugar, and garlic are key players in the rub. The beef and pork are also often chopped instead of sliced, making East Texas more akin to Southern barbecue than other Texas styles. The signature East Texas dish is a chopped brisket sandwich, topped with a heavy ladle of sauce.
San Antonio, TX
If Mexican influence is what you’re after, then you’ve found your spicy match in San Antonio and the South Texas barbecue style. The spice and dish construction cues come from south of the border, but the beef, chicken, ribs, and sausage are smoked just like you’d find in Central Texas, albeit using mesquite. The signature dish is anything involving a fresh tortilla and barbacoa, a cut of cow head meat often used in fajitas and tacos.
Saucy BBQ Traditions
Austin, TX
Central Texas’ thin, unsweetened vinegar sauces are used more as a light dip than a sauce, which allows the rub and smoke to drive the flavor of the meat more than they do in other regions.
Houston, TX
East Texas lives and dies by its sauces, originally created to cover up or balance out lesser cuts of meat. Expect liberal amounts of sweet, thick, tomato-based liquid with or atop most menu offerings.
San Antonio, TX
Smoky cowboy hot sauces are common in South Texas, although you’re just as likely to find a chili-, avocado-, or tomato-based condiment with your beef or chicken – especially if it’s served on a tortilla.
Best BBQ Spots
Austin, TX
Franklin Barbecue is a must. Humble owner Aaron Franklin became the first pitmaster to ever win a James Beard “Best Chef” award in 2015, and for good reason; what he’s doing to elevate barbecue without “getting fancy” will make you want to dump all of your clothes out of your suitcase and replace them with his brisket and pulled pork.
Houston, TX
Husband-wife duo Will and Nichole Buckman packs a formidable one-two flavor punch at CorkScrew BBQ. Will’s peppery yet balanced ribs alone are worth waiting in line, although forgetting to save (or make) room for one of Nichole’s signature cobblers would be like visiting Space Center Houston and not going inside the space shuttle replica.
San Antonio, TX
A mere six months after opening in 2012, Esquire declared The Granary “the future of barbecue.” Run by brothers Tim and Alex Rattray, this craft brewery and eatery offers traditional favorites, like smoked brisket and sausage, as well as inventive fare like a beef clod that incorporates coffee, quinoa, and a tomato caramel.
Best BBQ Festivals
Austin, TX
TMBBQ Fest [October]
You could spend months traveling Texas’ back streets in search of the best Lone Star barbecue (heck, that should be a bucket list item for all foodies), but it’s easier to have them come to you at this Texas Monthly-hosted fall feast, which features award-winning meat from the state’s top pitmasters.
Houston, TX
World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest [February]
It’s hard to get more Texas than a three-day celebration of smoked brisket and rodeo competitions. This staple is part of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, which annually draws roughly 300 pitmasters and international heavyweights.
San Antonio, TX
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Bar-B-Que Cook-Off [January]
Rodeo season begins in January with this championship barbecue competition sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association. In addition to hundreds of barbecue teams, there’s also the classic mutton bustin’ (think bull riding, but with grade schoolers and lambs), live music, and carnival attractions.
Stay with Us
Houston, TX: Hotel Sorella CITYCENTRE
Austin, TX: Lone Star Court
San Antonio, TX: Hotel Valencia Riverwalk
