These Texas barbecue joints dominated Food & Wine’s recent best-of list
With more than 2,500 barbecue restaurants in the Lone Star state, everyone’s trying to find the best options.
For example, Texas Monthly releases their Top 50 BBQ joint list annually and now, Texas even has a Michelin guide for barbecue. In addition to these Texas-based rankings, Food & Wine Magazine released its list of 10 Restaurants Every Barbecue Lover Must Visit.
The magazine calculated this list from the Food & Wine Global Tastemakers awards. The magazine polled more than 400 chefs, travel experts, food and travel writers and wine pros and then sent their nominations to their Global Advisory Board. This list is pretty much based on the judge’s tastebuds.
And though barbecue lovers argue over which state has the best kind of barbecue– North Carolina’s vinegar-based sauces or Memphis’ smoked pulled pork– Texas was the only state to show up three times on the list.
Here’s which joints Food & Wine experts believe barbecue lovers should try.
Franklin Barbecue in Austin
Food & Wine ranking: No. 1
Distance from Fort Worth: 189 miles
Known for: Spice-rubbed brisket ($39 by the pound).
Address: 900 E. 11th St., Austin
Hours: Open Tuesdays through Sundays staring at 11 a.m. until they sell out (typically around 2 or 3 p.m.). Closed Mondays.
Other info: Beef ribs on Fridays through Sundays. Also recognized in 2024 Texas Michelin guide and Texas Monthly’s 2025 top 50 BBQ joints.
Barb’s B Q in Lockhart
Food & Wine ranking: No. 5
Distance from Fort Worth: 219 miles
Known for: Central Texas barbecue techniques blended with owner Chuck Charnichart’s Mexican heritage; brisket rubbed with Mexican spices ($18.25 per half pound) and Motolov pork ribs, named for their explosion of flavors ($15.25 per half pound).
Address: 102 E Market St., Lockhart
Hours: Open only Saturdays and Sunday at 11 a.m. until they are sold out
Other info: The famous green spaghetti side is a recipe from Charnichart’s mother and a popular dish in South Texas, which is essentially spaghetti in a creamy roasted poblano sauce. Also recognized in the 2024 Texas Michelin guide.
Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor
Food & Wine ranking: No. 9
Distance from Fort Worth: 162 miles
Known for: Giant beef ribs.
Address: 206 W. 2nd St., Taylor
Hours: Closed Sunday through Tuesday. Open Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other info: “Beef is the focal point, but the turkey is moist and delicious, the pork ribs are nicely tender, and the sausage has the requisite snap that signifies a well-done link,” said Food & Wine.