Most Texans will fight to the bitter end defending the honor of their favorite steakhouse, Tex-Mex restaurant, and barbecue joint. With so many fantastic options, locals take their dining out decisions seriously when it comes to these regional standouts. Barbecue may be one of the most contentious, because everyone seeks out something different in their smoked-meat experience, whether it be a simple meat platter with sides, a chopped beef sandwich, or a spud topped with brisket, and the list goes on.
Thankfully, most great barbecue restaurants offer a broad spectrum of proteins, an abundance of sides, and the choice to sauce things up or let the skilled meat preparations speak for themselves — and their popularity is evidenced by lines winding out the door.
Here are some surefire hits for your next barbecue feast, no matter where you find yourself around Dallas-Fort Worth.
Cattlelack Barbecue
This fan favorite slings ‘cue only on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of each month, making it one of the more exclusive options around. Doors open at 10 a.m. (with lines forming long before that) for lean or moist brisket, two-pound beef ribs, and Wagyu bologna. Whole briskets and turkey breasts can be pre-ordered, too. Pro tip: Cattlelack Barbecue is BYOB. 13628 Gamma Rd., Farmers Branch, cattleackbbq.com
Goldee’s Barbecue
Don’t let the bare bones dining room at Goldee’s Barbecue fool you. The restaurant received a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide, and is among the best barbecue restaurants in town. Guests arrive as early as 8 a.m. to wait in line and use the time to consider their order, which can be hard to narrow down. But, you can’t go wrong with a chopped brisket ($10) or turkey ($10) sandwich, jalapeño cheese grits ($4), and bread pudding ($4). 4645 Dick Price Rd., Fort Worth, goldeesbbq.com
Barrel & Bones
With a commitment to sourcing the best wood for the job and incorporating a few global influences for good measure, Barrel & Bones takes traditional barbecue to new heights. Try the Prime brisket queso blanco ($13) for a little Mexican flair; the spicy pastrami brisket sandwich with sauerkraut ($16) for a little German influence; or a Nashville hot chicken sandwich ($14) for some fiery southern flavor. To sample the purest form of Texas ‘cue, the sampler ($90) feeds up to six with a half-pound each of eight different meats. Among the “killer sides,” the smoked buffalo cauliflower ($7) is a must. Multiple locations, barrelandbonestx.com
One90 Smoked Meats
With only a few seats reserved for dining in, this East Dallas BBQ market lures most people in for to-go orders. Dinner is made easy when choosing from meats by the pound, including brisket, pulled pork, and baby back ribs. Traditional sides include mac ‘n’ cheese ($4), green beans ($4), and vinegar slaw ($4), while banana pudding ($5) for dessert is hard to pass up. 10240 E. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, one90smokedmeats.com
Lockhart Smokehouse
The central Texas-style barbecue at Lockhart Smokehouse transports people to the legendary barbecue town and namesake of the Schmidt family’s restaurant. Sausage, brisket, ribs, and “Texas vegetarian” poultry choices are slow-cooked over post oak before being sliced and served wrapped in butcher paper. Don’t refrain from eating the meat with your hands, and keep a fork neaby for sides like mac ‘n cheese ($5) and bleu cheese slaw ($5). Multiple locations, lockhartsmokehouse.com
Heim Barbecue
The husband-and-wife team behind Heim have made bacon burnt ends ($8) famous, and no meal here should go without. Gather the gang and go whole hog with the Meat Club Platter ($76) loaded with a pound each of brisket and pork ribs, half a pound each of pulled pork and bacon burnt ends, and a quarter pound of sausage, served with two sides. Green chile mac ($5) and onion rings ($5) both rock. Multiple locations, heimbbq.com
Loro Asian Smokehouse
When the culinary talent from one of Texas’ most legendary barbecue restaurants joins forces with the talent from one of Texas’ most legendary modern Japanese restaurants, you get something really special. Loro Asian Smokehouse is the brainchild of Aaron Franklin, of Franklin Barbecue and Tyson Cole, of Uchi that originally opened in Austin and has since debuted locations around the state. Here, Texas barbecue and Asian flavors are united together harmoniously. It may drive purists crazy, but dishes like crispy Thai pork ribs ($15), smoked brisket with Thai herbs ($19), and sake can half-chicken ($17) are sure to win them over. Handheld lovers will adore the brisket sandwich ($15), topped with papaya salad, peanuts, chili aioli, and Thai herbs. Multiple locations, loroeats.com
Off the Bone
Pitmaster Dwight Harvey built his reputation on serving up excellent pecan-smoked baby back ribs, available by the half ($20) or full ($35) rack. But don’t let that sidetrack you from all of the other stuff on the menu. Get a sampler of Off the Bone’s top meat selections, including ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage, and pulled pork; plus sides and honey wheat rolls. These packs come in sizes that serve anywhere from four ($60) to 10 ($145) people. 1734 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, offthebonebarbeque.com
Pecan Lodge
Deep Ellum’s long-running barbecue joint, and food TV favorite, draws in the crowds and long lines on the regular. If you’re up for trying a little bit of everything, skip the line and head straight to the pickup counter and order the Trough ($115), a meal big enough for four that includes a giant beef rib, a pound each of pork ribs and brisket, plus half a pound of pulled pork and two sausage links. Visit on the weekend and enjoy the live music. 2702 Main St., Dallas, www.pecanlodge.com
Slow Bone
Located at the edge of the Design District, Slow Bone’s sides alone are worth visiting for. Items like au gratin brussels sprouts, sweet potato praline, and squash casserole stray from tradition. A good way to navigate the menu is to choose accompaniments first, then build a meal with proteins like brisket, pork ribs, and fried chicken. 2234 Irving Blvd., Dallas, slowbone.com
