If you’re visiting North Texas for the 2026 World Cup, there’s no better way to get to know the region than by sampling its barbecue.
Dallas-Fort Worth doesn’t follow a single tradition: Its pitmasters borrow from Central Texas, East Texas and even Mexico, creating a diverse landscape of smoke, spices and slow-cooked craftsmanship.
For visitors who only have a few days between games, these seven BBQ joints offer a reliable sampling of the best of D-FW.
Whether you’re staying near downtown Dallas, catching a game at Dallas Stadium (the temporary name of AT&T Stadium for the World Cup) or exploring Fort Worth’s cultural districts, North Texas offers top-notch brisket, ribs, sausage, smoked turkey and sides that rival any other barbecue destination in the state. Here’s a list of places to eat barbecue in North Texas. The list is ordered alphabetically.
Eat Drink D-FW
A barbecue plate of brisket, sausage and chicken seen at Smoke’N Ash BBQ in Arlington. Smoke’N Ash BBQ received the distinction of “Recommended” from Michelin.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
Cattleack Barbeque in Farmers Branch
Oak and hickory-smoked brisket is the hallmark of this restaurant, an unassuming spot near Galleria Dallas that has been awarded Bib Gourmand status by Michelin for its brisket, ribs, house-made sausages and other cuts.
The most popular sides are the hatch macaroni and cheese and burnt end beans.
Cattleack Barbeque is located at 13628 Gamma Road, Farmers Branch. cattleackbbq.com.
Goldee’s Barbecue in Fort Worth
Goldee’s is one of the most popular places in the state to eat brisket, pork ribs and barbecue sides. It’s the kind of place where customers line up early in the morning to be sure they can get a bite of barbecue. Goldee’s is only open a few days a week, and the brisket often sells out quickly, so it’s best to plan your visit in advance. It is one of two North Texas barbecue restaurants recognized as a Bib Gourmand destination by the Michelin Guide.
Goldee’s Barbecue is located at 4645 Dick Price Road, Fort Worth. goldeesbbq.com.
Panther City BBQ in Fort Worth
If you find yourself visiting the more cowboy-esque side of North Texas, you can try the barbecue at another restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide. At Panther City, expect barbecue combined with Tex-Mex. It began as a food truck and has since evolved into a great place to meet up with friends featuring multiple screens and a terrace. It smokes meats over oak wood for over 12 hours, and serves up brisket, ribs, jalapeño-cheese sausage and brisket tacos. Its street corn with brisket is a dish many consider a must-try.
Panther City BBQ is located at 201 E. Hattie St., Fort Worth. panthercitybbq.com.
Pecan Lodge in Dallas
Located in Deep Ellum, one of Dallas’ most iconic neighborhoods, Pecan Lodge fills the area with the aroma of barbecue. The long lines can be intimidating, but the reward is perfectly crusted brisket, smoked ribs and sausage that say to travelers, “You really are in Texas.”
Communal tables offer a great opportunity to chat with locals, and its location is ideal for those who want to explore one of Dallas’ most walkable entertainment districts.
Earlier this year, Tom Cruise dined at Pecan Lodge before promoting his new Mission: Impossible movie. Among the things he ordered was a honkin’ beef rib, a salty and fatty entree that makes for a great photo because of its giant size.
Pecan Lodge is located at 2702 Main St., Dallas. pecanlodge.com.
Smoke N’Ash in Arlington
If you’re looking for an innovative way to eat barbecue, you have to go to Smoke N’Ash, which combines barbecue with Ethiopian cuisine. Diners can choose Texan dishes, Ethiopian dishes or a fusion of both.
The cultural crossover of these dishes is achieved by using imported Ethiopian ingredients to season brisket, ribs or smoked sausages, while serving accompaniments such as injera, the traditional fermented bread of Ethiopia.
Smoke N’Ash is located very close to the Dallas stadium — AT&T Stadium — in Arlington and has also been recommended by the Michelin Guide.
Smoke N’Ash is located at 5904 S. Cooper St. Suite 110, Arlington. smokenashbbq.net.
Terry Black’s Barbecue in Dallas
Terry Black’s offers Austin-style barbecue. The brisket is so tender and the beef ribs are a sight to behold for visitors seeking an authentic Texas experience.
Its location in Deep Ellum makes it a must-stop for visitors exploring the nightlife before or after the games.
The restaurant’s dining room is spacious, ideal for families, groups of friends or fans traveling together.
Terry Black’s Barbecue is located at 3025 Main St., Dallas. terryblacksbbq.com.
Senior food writer Sarah Blaskovich contributed to this story.