Fort Worth is the next big BBQ destination in Texas (plus top news & events)
If you’ve spent any time perusing the headlines of barbecue news out of Texas in 2019, you’ve likely seen cities like Fort Worth and Arlington popping up with increasing frequency. It seems every month I learn about the opening of a highly-touted barbecue food truck or restaurant. After my list of barbecue places to try continued to grow, I decided it was time to check out the area’s burgeoning barbecue scene for myself. A few weeks ago, I was able to visit nine great up-and-coming barbecue restaurants.
This tray from Panther City BBQ was the highlight of my recent visit to Fort Worth.
On day one, I stopped at two spots that have received a lot of accolades over the last few years. My first stop was Panther City BBQ, where pitmasters Chris Magallanes and Ernie Morales are serving incredible barbecue out of a trailer next to Republic Street Bar, while construction on their brick-and-mortar is being finished up. I ordered their pork belly burnt ends along with items off their “BBQ Twists” portion of the menu — prime brisket tacos, brisket elote, and pork belly jalapeno poppers. It ended up being one of the best barbecue meals I have had in all of my travels.
Next I went to Flores Barbecue, a Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joint that recently relocated to Ft. Worth from Whitney earlier this year. Flores Barbecue serves barbecue meats along with tacos out of a food truck located west of the TCU Campus at the Trailhead at Clearfork, where they will open their restaurant. The standout items I ordered were the perfectly soft tortillas on the carnitas taco and jalapeno cheese grits.
AJ Ramirez and Derrick Walker took the time to show me the custom pit AJ built for Smoke-A-Holics BBQ.
On day two, I met up with AJ Ramirez of AJ’s Custom Cookers & Fabrication. After learning about his process for creating pits for many of the biggest pitmasters in the area, we visited Smoke-A-Holics BBQ, where pitmaster Derrick Walker (also known as the “Slab God”) served us delicious brisket, ribs, rib tips, turkey, and a variety of wonderful sides. The stand outs were the ribs, rib tips, and collard greens, but everything was amazing and Derrick and his dad were incredibly warm and welcoming. Next we went to Derek Allan’s Texas BBQ, where we ordered melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu brisket.
This tray from Hurtado Barbecue in Arlington included stand out items such as smoked quail, pork belly burnt ends, elote, and beans.
My tour guide on day three was Darrell Byers, owner of 7 Acres Barbecue. Our plan on that Saturday afternoon included visits to four places, including a new pop-up and a grand opening. Our first stop was at Hurtado BBQ, where we feasted on pork belly burnt ends, jalapeno cheddar sausage, and smoked quail. There was not a bad bite on the tray. Next we went to Zavala’s Barbecue, where we braved the long lines for a Sloppy Juan taco and pizza pepper sausage.
Crowds of barbecue fans turned out for the Grand Opening of Dayne’s Craft Barbecue in Fort Worth.
Our third stop of the day included a stop at Hop Fusion Ale Works in Fort Worth for a pop-up by Lillian’s Barbecue. Owners Jim and Mandi Lero served flavorful smoked turkey, sausage with perfect snap, and some of the best German potato salad I have ever eaten. Finally, we went to the Grand Opening of Dayne’s Craft Barbecue at Lola’s Trailer Park, a terrific area with a bar, shaded outdoor seating, and a stage for music. The crowds turned up to support Dayne’s opening and the lines were the most impressive of the trip. We sampled brisket burnt ends while in line and ordered links of blueberry sausage and buttermilk and bourbon pecan pies for our fourth stop of our epic day.
Sharing this incredible platter from a Goldee’s Barbecue pop-up with friends was the perfect way to conclude my visit to the Ft. Worth-Arlington area.
My final day in the area included a visit to a pop-up held by Goldee’s Barbecue, who occasionally use the space at Zavala’s Barbecue (which is closed on Sundays) while their brick and mortar restaurant is completed. Goldee’s is the creation of childhood friends who worked at some of the biggest barbecue spots in Central Texas. There has been a tremendous amount of buzz surrounding the anticipated opening of a restaurant in Fort Worth and after trying their food, I can see why. Along with friends from the barbecue community I was able to try most of the items on the menu. Everything was delicious, particularly the fatty brisket, turkey, beans, and homemade bread.
The barbecue scene in Fort Worth and Arlington is still in its infancy but growing quickly and the area is on its way to becoming another hot barbecue destination in Texas alongside Austin and Houston. In fact, I would not be surprised to see multiple spots I visited listed in the next publication of Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints list. If you don’t believe me, head west out of Dallas and see for yourself.
To learn more about the spots I visited in the area, check out this interview I did with Kevin’s BBQ Joints where I give even more details about my trip.
Ryan Cooper (BBQ Tourist)
Co-Founder, The Smoke Sheet
Here are the top recent barbecue news stories from around the country:
The line outside 2M Smokehouse in San Antonio is discussed in this week’s top Hot Links story. (Photo by Sean Ludwig)
The San Antonio Express-News’ Chuck Blount writes that in the world of Texas barbecue, it’s usually a good thing to sell out and you may lack serious street cred if you don’t. One prime example is 2M Smokehouse in San Antonio, considered by many to be one of the best joints in the city, which often sells out of its most-desired items within an hour.
The Local Palate has an outstanding new feature out about Elliot Moss of Buxton Hall Barbecue. The article outlines Moss’ history in the restaurant business and what led him to open Buxton Hall, one of the top joints in the country .
Adam Perry Lang, one of the country’s top pitmasters and authors, will soon open a new restaurant in Yountville, California that will be called Perry Lang's, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. (Yountville is north of San Francisco.) Lang’s Hollywood restaurant APL is a popular destination for California carnivores, so this new joint will give him an outpost in Northern California as well.
Texas Monthly’s Daniel Vaughn is back from Australia and has several new recent articles about the best Texas barbecue, including 1) Brett’s Barbecue in Katy is offering up excellent brisket and ribs; 2) Daddy Duncan’s BBQ trailer in Katy is only open on weekends, but its smoked meats can be found around town too; 3) the Los Muertos BBQ food truck in Katy has great puffy tacos and an unusual pitmaster; and 4) Shoemaker’s Barbecue in Dallas has been closed for a long time but its legacy lives on.
The Houston Chronicle’s J.C. Reid writes that Central Texas-style barbecue has arrived in Galveston Island with Buck's Barbeque Co., just south of Houston. You can also listen to Reid discuss the story on the newest episode of the BBQ State of Mind podcast.
In less than a year Hurtado Barbecue Co. in Arlington has “gone from a virtually unknown pop-up stand to a thriving barbecue operation that typically has lines and almost always sells out in a matter of hours,” NBC DFW reports. "I never anticipated that we would be doing what we're doing at the scale that we are,” pitmaster Brandon Hurtado told them. “I'm really grateful for the people of Arlington and beyond for coming out and thinking our food is good enough to support us."
A prototype of Aaron Franklin’s first prototype of a backyard pit is being auctioned off on eBay, with bids ending Thursday, September 5. As of publishing, bidding is up to a whopping $8,300. The money raised will go towards the Austin chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, a “nonprofit dedicated to promoting the work of exceptional women working in the culinary, beverage, and hospitality industries.”
Finally, if you want your barbecue served with a side of humor, The New Yorker has published a satire of backyard barbecue fanatics in a funny fake “Barbecue FAQ.”
Here are BBQ shows, podcasts, or books you should check out this week:
The BBQ Central Show interviewed Lee Ann Whippen about her win on the Food Network show BBQ Brawl.
Watch: Interview w/ Lee Ann Whippen of Deviled Pig - The BBQ Central Show
On last week’s episode of The BBQ Central Show, guest host Steve Ray of Owl's Nest BBQ interviewed pitmaster Lee Ann Whippen of Deviled Pig in Tampa, Florida. Whippen discusses her recent win on the incredibly fun show BBQ Brawl: Flay V Symon on the Food Network. She talks about what was really going on behind-the-scenes, how hard it was to make her food under time constraints, and much more. Watch here.
Listen: Robert Jacob Lerma - Tales from the Pits
This episode of Tales from the Pits featuring notable photographer Robert Jacob Lerma is brought to you by The Smoke Sheet. After an enlightening visit to Lockhart and Taylor barbecue joints, Robert Lerma moved to Texas. While holding down a full-time job, his passion for capturing the essence of Texas barbecue in the people, restaurants, and food launched a photography business that has set him apart as one of the top in the segment. He has built a special bond with those he chooses to work with and has been able to capture moments that are unique and connect with his audience. Not only have his photos been published in national magazines and elsewhere, you can also see his work hanging in many barbecue joints such as Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville and Corkscrew Barbecue in Spring. Listen to the episode here.
Read: Texas BBQ, Small Town to Downtown - by Wyatt McSpadden
Texas BBQ, Small Town to Downtown presents crave-inducing images of both the new — and the old — barbecue universe in almost every corner of the state. In addition to Franklin and Snow’s, which have both occupied the top spot in Texas Monthly’s barbecue ratings, McSpadden portrays urban joints such as Dallas’s Pecan Lodge and Cattleack Barbecue and small-town favorites such as Whup’s Boomerang Bar-B-Que in Marlin. Accompanying his images are barbecue reflections by James Beard Award–winning pitmaster Aaron Franklin and Texas Monthly’s barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn. Their words and McSpadden’s photographs underscore how much has changed — and how much remains the same. Buy it here.
This weekend’s Kentucky BBQ Festival in Danville will bring together many of the country’s top pitmasters.
September 6-8: Kentucky BBQ Festival - Danville, Kentucky
The Kentucky BBQ Festival will feature great food, live music, and a backyard barbecue competition. Top pitmasters that will be serving barbecue there include Leslie Roark, Amy and Mike Mills, Moe Cason, Carey Bringle, and Shelly Hunt. More info here.
September 7: Pig Island NYC - Brooklyn, New York
For those that love all things pork, the 10th annual Pig Island NYC in Brooklyn will be a can’t-miss affair. Held outdoors at beautiful Erie Basin Park in Red Hook, this all-inclusive event will feature great food from top Northeastern pitmasters, plus a ton of beer, cider, and liquor. More info here.
September 12-15: American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Kansas City, Missouri
The American Royal is celebrating 40 years of competition barbecue in 2019. On top of a huge KCBS competition with teams from around the country, this signature Kansas City event includes public-facing activities, including incredible live music, delicious BBQ and local food, a full line up of kids activities, and a vendor fair authentic to Kansas City and BBQ enthusiasts. More info here.
September 19-21: 2019 Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-Off - Murphysboro, Illinois
The Murphysboro Barbecue Cook-off is a unique dual cook contest sanctioned by the Memphis Barbecue Network and the Kansas City Barbeque Society. The event will also include a steak cookoff and a bloody mary contest as well as a kids Que competition. More info here.
September 21: Smoked Dallas - Dallas, Texas
Join us for a Texas-sized food fest and backyard BBQ party in the heart of downtown Dallas at this event. Enjoy tastings from 20 of the most celebrated BBQ joints from all across Texas at the event, along with live music from Dale Watson, Straight Tequila Night, and The 40 Acre Mule. More info here.
September 27-29: Q In The Lou - St. Louis, Missouri
Get ready to go hog wild and get your BBQ fix at another great year of Q in the Lou. Many of the country’s biggest names in BBQ are back once again, including Peg Leg Porker, Ubons BBQ, The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint, Sugarfire Smokehouse, and more. There will also be live music all three days. More info here.
September 29: Houston BBQ Throwdown 2019 - Houston, Texas
The Houston Barbecue Festival and Saint Arnold Brewing Company will throw the 5th annual Houston BBQ Throwdown on Sunday, September 29. It will feature 14 of Houston's best barbecue restaurants competing to create the next great barbecue dish that represents Houston-style barbecue, including Daddy Duncan's BBQ (2018 Judge's and People's Choice winner), Eddie O's Texas BBQ, Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Reveille Barbecue Co, Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue, and Victorian's Barbecue. More info here.
October 3-5: Firebox 3 BBQ On The Bluff Invitational - St. Simons Island, Georgia
The 3rd Annual BBQ on the Bluff Invitational takes place October 3-5, 2019 on St. Simons Island in Georgia. The festival is presented by Southern Soul BBQ and features some of the biggest names in barbecue from around the world. Proceeds benefit the Firebox Initiative. More info here.
October 5: Brew N’ Que - Perth, Western Australia
On Saturday, October 5th, the Brew N’ Que Festival will take place in Perth, Australia at the Ascot Racecourse. Experience the best in craft brew and barbecue. The event includes barbecue food vendors, craft beer, live music, cooking demos, competitions with national and international teams, Kids Q competition, classes from “BBQ Pitmasters” television celebrity Harry Soo, and the headline event with pitmaster Bill Dumas of The Switch in Dripping Springs, Texas. More info here.
October 6: Southern Smoke - Houston, Texas
An impressive lineup of pitmasters and chefs have been announced for the fifth annual Southern Smoke festival, which takes place on October 6 in Houston, Texas. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Southern Smoke Emergency Relief Fund and the National MS Society. More info here.
October 12: EGGtoberfest - Stone Mountain, Georgia
EGGtoberfest is a fun-filled, family-oriented celebration held each October for Big Green Egg fans. This event takes place on October 12 at Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia and features food from over 200 Big Green Eggs, demonstrations, music, and more. More info here.
October 20: Butcher’s Ball - Brenham, Texas
The Butcher's Ball brings together Texas' most talented chefs, butchers, ranchers, and advocates for a day of demonstrations, discussions, tastings, and competition at the beautiful Rockin' Star Ranch in Brenham, Texas. The event is an incredible celebration of food, drink, music, and education, meant to shine a light on our local culinary and creative communities, bring awareness to sustainable farming and ranching practices, raise funds for local charities, and make the connection between the producer and the consumer. More info here.
See the full Smoke Sheet events calendar online here.
This smoked mac and cheese will blow you away.
Smoked Mac and Cheese - by Hey Grill, Hey
For this week’s Recipe of the Week, we chose Smoked Mac and Cheese from Susie Bulloch of Hey Grill, Hey. Bulloch was the runner up on the BBQ Brawl: Flay V Symon show on the Food Network. She makes this dish using cheddar, gouda, and cream cheese topped with panko bread crumbs. She then smokes in a cast iron skillet at 225 degrees using a mild hardwood, such as apple or cherry. The result is a rich and creamy dish with a kiss of smoke flavor. View the recipe here.
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