This story was originally published in December 2021 and has been updated.
For years, Texas Monthly published a single guide to cover all the barbecue in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Then Fort Worth—as well as the Mid-Cities—suddenly became the most exciting place in Texas for new barbecue joints. Panther City and its suburbs are now receiving the honor of their own directory. In the June 2025 issue of the magazine, we published our top fifty barbecue joints, along with fifty more honorable mentions, but our barbecue recommendations don’t stop there. You can get a great meal of smoked meats at any one of these Fort Worth–area joints.
In the City of Fort WorthAngelo’s BBQ
This Fort Worth staple goes back to 1958. The brisket and ribs are plenty popular, but don’t miss unique menu items like smoked salami and pork loin. Angelo’s is about the only place in Texas where you can get your barbecue sandwich on rye bread, and mustard is a standard condiment, along with pickles, onions, and barbecue sauce. 2533 White Settlement Road, 817-332-0357
Open since 1983, Cousins now mixes the old-school with the new. Go for the $26 All You Can Meat deal, if it’s available, or try the New School Tray of smoky sliced brisket, big spareribs, house-made jalapeño-cheese sausage, smoked wings, and beef-fat-fried balls of gooey mac and cheese and spicy chorizo. Don’t miss the hand-cut french fries. 910 S. Crowley Road, Suite 1, 817-297-0557; 5125 Bryant Irvin Road, 817-346-3999; 6262 McCart Avenue, 817-346-2511
Goldee’s isn’t just one of the best in Fort Worth—it’s in the top ten for the entire state.Photograph by Daniel VaughnGoldee’s Barbecue2025 Top 10
Goldee’s remains the best barbecue joint in Fort Worth. The tender spareribs are lightly glazed, the sausages are always juicy, and it’s rare to find a better slice of brisket anywhere in Texas. House-made white bread and a sweet, mustard-based sauce complement the barbecue well, and sides like the pork hash and rice and the creamy cheese grits are thoroughly satisfying. 4645 Dick Price Road, no phone
With two locations in Fort Worth and one in Dallas, the Heims have come a long way from their barbecue-trailer days. The family ushered Fort Worth into the modern barbecue movement with its tender brisket, massive beef ribs, and famous bacon burnt ends. 1109 W. Magnolia Avenue, 817-882-6970; 5333 White Settlement Road, 682-707-5772
Panther City BBQ2025 Top 50
Between the brisket birria tacos, brisket-topped elote en vaso, and pork belly poppers, you could fill up here without eating any barbecue standards—but then you’d miss some of the best sliced brisket, turkey, and spareribs in the state. The owners, Chris Magallanes and Ernest Morales, also purchased the historic Bailey’s Bar-B-Que downtown in 2024 and renamed it Fort Worth Barbecue Co. 201 E. Hattie, 682-250-4464
“Life’s too short to live in Dallas” is the motto of this barbecue joint, which started in a (long-gone) beer barn. The joint is still known for cold ones, and the beer is just as popular as the barbecue. Both go well with the fresh-cut french fries and hand-battered onion rings. 2900 Montgomery, 817-738-9808
Sabar BBQ2025 Top 50
Zain Shafi combines his Pakistani roots with the Texas barbecue he prepared while working at Goldee’s. The Saturdays-and-Sundays-only trailer does great work on smoked brisket and turkey, but specialties like the seekh-kebab sausage and the Sichuan lamb ribs also shine. All plates come with naan instead of white bread, and sides like fruit chaat and kachumber (a cucumber salad) are vibrant in flavor and color. 105 S. Main, 817-521-9441
Smoke-A-Holics BBQ2025 Honorable Mention
Derrick and Kesha Walker are helping revitalize their old neighborhood in southeast Fort Worth with their Tex-soul version of barbecue. That means rib tips, dirty rice, and loaded cornbread. The joint is closed on Sundays, except for the fourth one of the month, when the Walkers host Soul Food Sunday. Think smoked oxtails, pork chops, and thick slabs of smoked meat loaf. 1417 Evans Avenue, 844-536-8086
M’Jays House of Smoke, in Arlington, is from the team behind TJ’s Catfish & Wings.Photograph by Daniel VaughnIn the Mid-Cities
225° BBQ, in Arlington
The Ramirez family is back in their restaurant building after a brief stint in their old food truck during renovations, and the impressive sliced brisket is only the beginning. The barbecue-stuffed baked potatoes are massive, and look for the excellent bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeños. Get a side of green spaghetti to complement the birria tacos, which are generously filled with juicy shredded beef, melted cheese, diced onions, and cilantro. 601 E. Main, 817-962-0226
BBQ on the Brazos, in Cresson
This joint left its gas station locale for a while, but it’s back home and serving the same great barbecue. The brisket tacos are popular for a reason, but don’t miss standout sandwiches such as the smoked turkey with melted mozzarella and crispy onions and the massive brisket torta (Thursdays only). 9001 E. U.S. 377, 817-396-0379
Dayne’s Craft Barbecue, in Aledo
Dayne and Ashley Weaver recently decamped to Aledo, west of Fort Worth, and opened a new restaurant. The barbecue classics are still great, as is the famous smoked pork belly the Weavers call bacon brisket. The double smashburger has a loyal fan base of its own, and no one should underestimate the Frito pie beans. 100 S. Front, 682-789-6590
Habibi Barbecue, in Arlington
When Marc Fadel opened this trailer in 2024, fresh out of high school, it was a solid effort, but he lacked experience. His cooking and the menu have matured with destination-worthy beef ribs, thick-sliced fatty brisket, and tender pork ribs. He has also leaned into his Lebanese roots with a barbecue bowl featuring Lebanese rice and hummus, and with tabbouleh that’s made fresh daily and is available as a side. The full barbecue menu is only served on Saturdays, while a limited menu is available Friday evenings. 2601 W. Arkansas Lane, no phone
Hurtado Barbecue, in Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Mansfield2025 Honorable Mention
Brandon Hurtado first opened this joint in 2020 in Arlington, and more locations followed, including one inside Globe Life Field. The standards are done incredibly well, and even the pulled pork is impressive, but I’m continually drawn back for the bacon-wrapped jalapeños, the house-made sausages, and specialties such as the Big Red barbacoa tostada. 205 E. Front, Arlington, 682-323-5141; 900 S. Harwood, Dallas, 214-556-8136; 1116 Eighth Avenue, Fort Worth, 682-499-5913; 226 N. Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield, 817-225-2428
Meat U Anywhere BBQ, in Grapevine
Turn to Meat U for the earliest bite of barbecue you can get in the Metroplex (breakfast is served starting at 6 a.m.), or wait until lunch for tender brisket and juicy smoked turkey. Visit on a Friday or Saturday for the smoked beef tenderloin and smoked prime rib. 919 W. Northwest Highway, 817-251-1227
M’Jays House of Smoke, in Arlington
This barbecue shop, run by Marcus Campbell, operates out of TJ’s Catfish & Wings. Campbell specializes in oversized barbecue-stuffed potatoes and cornbread loaded with beans, barbecue, and cheese. Both menu items are piled high with toppings and would be challenging for one person to finish. Try the excellent pork ribs as well. 4261 Green Oaks Boulevard, Suite 502, 817-572-1600
The brisket tostada at Hurtado Barbecue. Photograph by Daniel Vaughn 
Sabar BBQ combines Pakistani flavors with Texas barbecue. Photograph by Daniel Vaughn
Outpost 36 Texas BBQ, in Keller
Outpost 36 uses beef tallow for all its deep-fried items, even the fried pies. Some of the beef comes straight from the owners’ ranch, Outpost 76. The smoked pork ribs are a solid choice, but the surprising star is the cured and smoked salmon. Pick up some steaks, ground beef, or sausages from the Market at Outpost’s raw-meat counter, on the far end of the building. 1801 S. Main, 817-898-3636
Pasión BBQ, in Grapevine
Outside Hop and Sting Brewing, you’ll find this food truck serving barbecue Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The basics, like the house-made sausages, juicy turkey breast, and tender pork ribs, are nicely done. Scratch-made sides vary from savory pinto beans to watermelon salad spiked with chamoy. Every tray comes with warm flour tortillas and fresh salsa, so you can build your own barbecue tacos. 906 Jean, no phone
Patriotic Pig Smokehouse, in North Richland Hills2025 Honorable Mention
Marc and Gina Smith started a barbecue catering company that became a restaurant in 2019. They still cater a staggering number of weddings, but you can get the full menu inside the joint. Start with the ultracheesy jalapeño-cheddar smashburger. The smoked brisket and turkey are exemplary, as is anything that includes bacon. 3900 Rufe Snow Drive, 817-601-5256
Shaneboys Craft Hawaiian Grindz, in Lillian
It might not be the Texas barbecue you’re used to, but you’ll enjoy the Hawaiian twist on smoked and grilled meats at Shaneboys. What was once a tiny food truck in Rendon (now temporarily closed) has grown into a new physical location in Lillian. Try the smoked pulled pork, and if you see specials like kalbi beef short ribs and pulehu brisket, order them. 11324 George Renfro Drive, 817-395-4659
Smoke ’N Ash BBQ, in Arlington2025 Honorable Mention
This Texan-Ethiopian smokehouse brings together the flavors of wood smoke and East Africa. Try the Tex-Ethiopian platter, with smoked chicken doro wat, pork ribs, and sliced brisket dipped in awaze, a sauce that combines berbere spices and clarified butter. Everything’s served atop house-made injera, a spongy flatbread that’s a staple of Ethiopian cuisine. 5904 S. Cooper, Suite 110, 817-385-9975
Zavala’s Barbecue, in Grand Prairie2025 Honorable Mention
The sliced brisket always impresses here on the corner of Main and Brisket Lane (owner Joe Zavala initiated the street’s name change), as do the tortillas. Fill them with any of the smoked meats and a little green sauce, and you’ll leave happy. The joint’s sister business, Mas Coffee Co., moved down the street, and a new Zavala’s Barbecue counter that debuted in the American Airlines Center in 2023. 421 W. Main, 817-330-9061
Easy-Access Barbecue
Visiting your favorite barbecue joint can be a challenge. Many have limited hours or long lines, or maybe they’re open only a couple days a week. Then there’s the gamble of dealing with wet weather or extreme heat while dining outside at food trucks. That’s why we’ve identified a few spots on this list as “easy-access barbecue.” They’re all open for lunch and dinner at least five days a week, don’t often experience long lines for service, and have indoor, air-conditioned seating. The joints on this list that meet those requirements are 225° BBQ, Angelo’s BBQ, Cousins BBQ, Heim Barbecue, Meat U Anywhere BBQ, Outpost 36, Patriotic Pig, and Railhead Smokehouse.
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