Top 10 Best BBQ Restaurants in Texas

Texas barbecue is one of the most competitive food categories in America, so this ranking leans heavily on the most defensible statewide source available: Texas Monthly's 2025 Top 50 BBQ Joints list. Their team anonymously visited hundreds of restaurants across the state before finalizing the rankings, and the resulting top ten gives a strong cross-section of modern Texas barbecue, from Seguin and Austin to Fort Worth, Southeast Texas, the Rio Grande Valley, the Gulf Coast, Houston, and West Texas. This Discovery Matt Food Map ranking follows that expert consensus while highlighting what makes each restaurant stand out.

1. 1

   Burnt Bean Co.

   Seguin

   Burnt Bean Co. takes the top spot because it was ranked No. 1 in Texas Monthly's 2025 statewide barbecue list, making it the most defensible choice in Texas right now. The Seguin restaurant has built its reputation around elite smoked meats, bold specials, creative Tex-Mex touches, and a small-town Texas identity that feels both modern and deeply rooted. Its rise from No. 4 in 2021 to No. 1 in 2025 confirms that it has become one of the most important barbecue destinations in the country.

   Known for: Brisket, sausage, creative specials, small-town Texas BBQ identity

2. 2

   LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue

   Austin

   LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue ranks second after landing the No. 2 spot on Texas Monthly's 2025 list. The Austin restaurant is widely respected for pushing Texas barbecue beyond the usual brisket-and-ribs formula while still executing the essentials at an elite level. It is also one of the rare Texas barbecue restaurants recognized with a Michelin star, adding another layer of credibility to its already strong statewide reputation.

   Known for: New-school Texas barbecue, creative smoked meats, Michelin-star recognition

3. 3

   Goldee's Barbecue

   Fort Worth

   Goldee's remains one of Texas barbecue's true heavyweights. It was ranked No. 1 by Texas Monthly in 2021 and still landed at No. 3 in 2025, which says a lot about its consistency in one of the toughest barbecue states in the country. Serious barbecue fans continue to treat Goldee's as a must-visit for brisket, sausage, ribs, and overall pit mastery.

   Known for: Brisket, sausage, Fort Worth craft barbecue, statewide acclaim

4. 4

   Redbird BBQ

   Port Neches

   Redbird BBQ is one of the biggest breakout stories on Texas Monthly's 2025 list, earning the No. 4 statewide ranking. Its placement gives Southeast Texas a legitimate top-tier barbecue destination and shows that the state's best barbecue is not limited to Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, or Houston. Redbird belongs this high because Texas Monthly's ranking signals serious respect from the state's most trusted barbecue evaluators.

   Known for: Southeast Texas barbecue, smoked meats, rapid statewide rise

5. 5

   GW's BBQ

   San Juan

   GW's BBQ gives the Rio Grande Valley one of the strongest barbecue placements in the state, ranking No. 5 on Texas Monthly's 2025 list. That is a major statement for South Texas and helps make this ranking feel truly statewide. Its inclusion this high shows how much Texas barbecue has expanded beyond the old Central Texas stronghold.

   Known for: Rio Grande Valley barbecue, South Texas representation, statewide top-five acclaim

6. 6

   InterStellar BBQ

   Austin

   InterStellar BBQ lands at No. 6 after also earning continued Michelin recognition, making it one of Texas's most decorated barbecue restaurants. The Austin spot is known for combining high-level smoked meats with a more chef-driven approach to sides, specials, and overall menu execution. It ranks just behind GW's because Texas Monthly placed it sixth, but its Michelin-star status makes it one of the most credentialed names on the list.

   Known for: Brisket, standout sides, chef-driven BBQ, Michelin-star recognition

7. 7

   Dayne's Craft Barbecue

   Aledo

   Dayne's Craft Barbecue gives Aledo a major place in the Texas barbecue conversation. Its No. 7 statewide ranking puts it ahead of many better-known metro-area names and shows how respected it has become among serious barbecue followers. It is a strong smaller-city pick that helps keep the list from feeling too Austin- or Houston-heavy.

   Known for: Craft barbecue, North Texas destination status, small-city credibility

8. 8

   LaVaca BBQ

   Port Lavaca

   LaVaca BBQ is one of the most compelling Gulf Coast barbecue stories in Texas. Its No. 8 ranking in Texas Monthly's 2025 list gives Port Lavaca a place among the state's elite, which is exactly what a true statewide ranking should do. It stands out as a smaller-city barbecue destination with enough quality and reputation to compete against the biggest names in Texas.

   Known for: Gulf Coast barbecue, Port Lavaca destination, statewide top-ten recognition

9. 9

   Truth Barbeque

   Houston

   Truth Barbeque remains one of Texas's marquee barbecue names and finished No. 9 on Texas Monthly's 2025 list. Even after years of acclaim, it continues to be treated as one of the essential barbecue stops in the Houston area. Its placement confirms that Truth is still one of the state's most reliable heavy hitters, especially for diners looking for a polished, high-level barbecue experience in a major city.

   Known for: Houston barbecue, brisket, polished smokehouse execution

10. 10

    Evie Mae's Pit Barbeque

    Wolfforth

    Evie Mae's Pit Barbeque rounds out the top ten and gives West Texas an important representative. Its No. 10 ranking on Texas Monthly's 2025 list confirms that it remains one of the state's most respected barbecue destinations. In a category often dominated by Central Texas and major metro areas, Evie Mae's brings needed geographic balance and long-standing barbecue credibility.

    Known for: West Texas barbecue, brisket, smoked meats, Wolfforth destination dining