A Top 50 Texas BBQ stand is closing in south Fort Worth
By Bud Kennedy
FORT WORTH
Pitmaster Zain Shafi, who drew Texas barbecue fans to South Main Village for his Pakistani-influenced Texas meats, is closing his Sabar BBQ stand to take a new barbecue opportunity, he confirmed Monday.
Sabar BBQ, 105 S. Main St. in South Main Village, will close after lunch Saturday, Shafi wrote.
Shafi came to Fort Worth two years ago from No. 1-ranked Goldee’s BBQ near Kennedale and has kept in close touch with that Michelin Guide restaurant.
Sabar BBQ made the Texas Monthly magazine Top 50 list. The magazine priased Shafi’s brisket, seekh-kebab sausage and Sichuan lamb ribs. Sabar was also noted for the spicy lentil stew.
“Life moves fast,” Shafi wrote on Facebook.
“Just a few weeks ago we were planning another smoker, working toward a brick-and-mortar, and adding Fridays to our service days ... and now we’re closing. An opportunity came up that we couldn’t pass on.”
A three-meat plate with tandoori turkey, brisket and burnt ends nihari with a side of daal chawal (lentils over rice) and kachumber salad from Sabar BBQ in Fort Worth. Chris Torres Star-Telegram archives
Zain Shafi, the owner of Sabar BBQ, is photographed at his barbecue trailer parked at the corner of East Vickery Boulevard and South Main Street near downtown Fort Worth. After learning the basics of barbecue while working at Goldee’s near Kennedale, Shafi opened Sabar in 2023. The menu blends Central Texas-style smoked meats with traditional dishes from Pakistan, where his family is from. Chris Torres Star-Telegram archives
Bud Kennedy is celebrating his 40th year writing about restaurants in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has written the “Eats Beat” dining column in print since 1985 and online since 1992 — that’s more than 3,000 columns about Texas cafes, barbecue, burgers and where to eat.Support my work with a digital subscription
Bud Kennedy is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram opinion columnist. In a 54-year Texas newspaper career, he has covered two Super Bowls, a presidential inauguration, seven national political conventions and 19 Texas Legislature sessions..Support my work with a digital subscription
