Eats Beat

Top-ranked DFW barbecue restaurant BBQ on the Brazos to reopen nearby. Like, really nearby

Top-ranked BBQ in the Brazos has reopened at 9012 Performance Court, a half-mile behind its former gas-station location, co-owner John Sanford said this week.


Eats Beat Ep. 147

DFW Restaurant Week


“We’re staying right we are,” Sanford said. “Only moving a few yards.”

He said he is also meeting with a Fort Worth developer about a possible city location.

“But Cresson’s our home and it’ll be our main restaurant,” he said.

The new restaurant is close to competitor Rooster’s Bar-B-Q, a former Nashville and Granbury restaurant owned by former “Man v. Food” pitmaster Rooster Beane. It takes over the vacant space in the Texaco Plaza.

A screen grab from a 2011 “Man v. Food” episode featuring pitmaster Rooster Beane, then in Nashville and opening in Cresson.
A screen grab from a 2011 “Man v. Food” episode featuring pitmaster Rooster Beane, then in Nashville and opening in Cresson. Courtesy photo

BBQ on the Brazos opened in 2013 after Sanford had cooked as a barbecue caterer and at a bistro on the Granbury square. He had previously owned a barbecue restaurant and cafe in Saginaw.

Texas Monthly first listed it in the “Top 25 New & Improved” barbecue stands, along with Billy’s Oak Acres BBQ and Heim Barbecue in Fort Worth and Meat U Anywhere BBQ in Grapevine and Trophy Club.

In the latest Top 50 ranking, BBQ on the Brazos tied for third overall in Dallas-Fort Worth, behind state-ranked Cattleack BBQ in Farmers Branch and Hutchins BBQ in McKinney.

Smoke Pit moving to Sammie’s

An old-time barbecue favorite is on the move.

The weatherbeaten sign at the Smoke Pit barbecue restaurant.
The weatherbeaten sign at the Smoke Pit barbecue restaurant. Bud Kennedy Bud@star-telegram.com

The throwback Smoke Pit barbecue tavern near downtown will close soon after 56 years and merge with the even older Sammie’s nearby, according to workers at the Smoke Pit.

The Smoke Pit, 2401 E. Belknap St., is a dimly lit beer hall with a low ceiling and walls lined with neon beer signs. It will close sometime in August, workers said.

Sam Gibbins, a partner in the Smoke Pit, bought Sammie’s, 3801 E. Belknap St., last year. It has a newer building but a history dating to 1946.

Perch adds sliders, desserts to menu

After two months, the downtown skyline restaurant Perch is adding new luinch menu items and revising the lighter happy-hour menu.

Berry pound cake is a new dessert at Perch, the skyline lunch-and-happy-hour restaurant in the Frost Tower.
Berry pound cake is a new dessert at Perch, the skyline lunch-and-happy-hour restaurant in the Frost Tower. Bud Kennedy bud@star-telegram.com

Some diners were confused and thought Perch’s beautiful patio location 12 floors up the Frost Tower would be fine dining. It’s sandwiches and salads at lunch, appetizers and desserts at happy hour.

New items: lunch sliders (pulled pork with ancho barbecue sauce, salmon with pea shoots and avocado, beef with grilled onion and garlic aioli), a crab cake appetizer and desserts such as a mixed-berry pound cake.

For now, Perch is open weekdays only, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 640 Taylor St. (take the elevators up from the bank lobby); 682-785-8888, perchfw.com.

Farewell to the floating restaurant

The fire that destroyed the former Twisted Oar floating grill, bar and dance club further limited the future possibilities for Eagle Mountain Lake shorefront dining.

Fire destroyed the former Twisted Oar and Boon-Docks, a 30-year-old floating restaurant.
Fire destroyed the former Twisted Oar and Boon-Docks, a 30-year-old floating restaurant. Courtney Broyles

The Twisted Oar — it opened 30 years ago as Lauderdale’s on the Lake — was under renovation to become a Rockin S, like at other lakes.

Texas Pit BBQ at Eagle Mountain Lake, 6680 Peden Road, is having a great first year. It’s open only for sunset dinner Thursday through Sunday and for lunch weekends.

Augie’s Sunset Cafe, 6172 Park Road, is also having a busy summer. It’s open daily for lunch and dinner.

West Bay Marina Grill, 6925 Liberty School Tap Road, is a breakfast-and burgers grill on the west side of the lake. It’s only open weekends but serves a breakfast buffet and hand-packed burgers.

Bud Kennedy, 817-390-7538, @EatsBeat

This story was originally published July 24, 2018 at 4:13 PM.

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