\t\tIn the City of Fort WorthAngelo\u2019s BBQ<\/a><\/p>\n This Fort Worth staple goes back to 1958. The brisket and ribs are plenty popular, but don\u2019t miss unique menu items like smoked salami and pork loin. Angelo\u2019s 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<\/p>\n Cousins BBQ<\/a><\/p>\n Open since 1983, Cousins now mixes the old-school with the new. Go for the $26 All You Can Meat deal, if it\u2019s available, or try the New School Tray of smoky sliced brisket, big spareribs, house-made jalape\u00f1o-cheese sausage, smoked wings, and beef-fat-fried balls of gooey mac and cheese and spicy chorizo. Don\u2019t 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<\/p>\n Goldee\u2019s remains the best barbecue joint in Fort Worth. The tender spareribs are lightly glazed, the sausages are always juicy, and it\u2019s 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<\/p>\n Heim Barbecue<\/a><\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Panther City BBQ<\/a>2025 Top 50<\/p>\n Between the brisket birria tacos, brisket-topped elote en vaso, and pork belly poppers, you could fill up here without eating any barbecue standards\u2014but then you\u2019d 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\u2019s Bar-B-Que downtown in 2024 and renamed it Fort Worth Barbecue Co. 201 E. Hattie, 682-250-4464<\/p>\n Railhead Smokehouse<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLife\u2019s too short to live in Dallas\u201d 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<\/p>\n Sabar BBQ<\/a>2025 Top 50<\/p>\n Zain Shafi combines his Pakistani roots with the Texas barbecue he prepared while working at Goldee\u2019s. 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<\/p>\n Smoke-A-Holics BBQ<\/a>2025 Honorable Mention<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n 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 jalape\u00f1os. 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<\/p>\n BBQ on the Brazos<\/a>, in Cresson<\/p>\n This joint left its gas station locale for a while, but it\u2019s back home and serving the same great barbecue. The brisket tacos are popular for a reason, but don\u2019t 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<\/p>\n Dayne\u2019s Craft Barbecue<\/a>, in Aledo<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Habibi Barbecue<\/a>, in Arlington<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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<\/p>\n Hurtado Barbecue<\/a>, in Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Mansfield2025 Honorable Mention<\/p>\n 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\u2019m continually drawn back for the bacon-wrapped jalape\u00f1os, 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<\/p>\n Meat U Anywhere BBQ<\/a>, in Grapevine<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n M\u2019Jays House of Smoke<\/a>, in Arlington<\/p>\n This barbecue shop, run by Marcus Campbell, operates out of TJ\u2019s 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<\/p>\n Outpost 36 Texas BBQ<\/a>, in Keller<\/p>\n Outpost 36 uses beef tallow for all its deep-fried items, even the fried pies. Some of the beef comes straight from the owners\u2019 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\u2019s raw-meat counter, on the far end of the building. 1801 S. Main, 817-898-3636<\/p>\n Pasi\u00f3n BBQ<\/a>, in Grapevine<\/p>\n Outside Hop and Sting Brewing, you\u2019ll 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<\/p>\n Patriotic Pig Smokehouse<\/a>, in North Richland Hills2025 Honorable Mention<\/p>\n 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 jalape\u00f1o-cheddar smashburger. The smoked brisket and turkey are exemplary, as is anything that includes bacon. 3900 Rufe Snow Drive, 817-601-5256<\/p>\n Shaneboys Craft Hawaiian Grindz<\/a>, in Lillian<\/p>\n It might not be the Texas barbecue you\u2019re used to, but you\u2019ll 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<\/p>\n![\"overhead](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/where-to-eat-bbq-fort-worth-2025-2.jpg\")
Goldee\u2019s isn\u2019t just one of the best in Fort Worth\u2014it\u2019s in the top ten for the entire state.Photograph by Daniel VaughnGoldee\u2019s Barbecue<\/a>2025 Top 10<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/where-to-eat-bbq-fort-worth-2025-5.jpg\")
M\u2019Jays House of Smoke, in Arlington, is from the team behind TJ\u2019s Catfish & Wings.Photograph by Daniel VaughnIn the Mid-Cities
\n225\u00b0 BBQ<\/a>, in Arlington<\/p>\n![\"taco](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/where-to-eat-bbq-fort-worth-2025-3.jpg\")
The brisket tostada at Hurtado Barbecue. Photograph by Daniel Vaughn ![\"overhead](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/where-to-eat-bbq-fort-worth-2025-4.jpg\")
Sabar BBQ combines Pakistani flavors with Texas barbecue. Photograph by Daniel Vaughn <\/p>\n