BEAUMONT
PITMASTER: BLUE BROUSSARD

"Broussard" is quite a familiar name in the Beaumont area, but Blue Broussard hit major recognition when he opened 1701 Barbecue. Undoubtedly one of the top BBQ joints in the Golden Triangle (and a Texas Monthly Top 50 member), Broussard and his team pride themselves on putting out killer barbecue.

COLLEGE STATION
PITMASTERS: BRAD & BRANDON DOAN

It really is a family affair at 1775 Texas Pit BBQ. You'll find Brad Doan and the rest of his family in various parts of the operation, from himself and brother Brandon at the pits, to their dad at the front door, their mother Belinda creating incredible sides and desserts, and Brandon's wife Glenda manning the register. A College Station native and Army veteran, Brad Doan and his family launched 1775 (a hat-tip to the year the U.S. Army was created) to the Honorable Mention list in Texas Monthly's Top 50 in 2021.

MABANK
PITMASTERS: EMILY & NOLAN BELCHER

Perhaps no barbecue joint in Texas has made the kind of noise in the industry as a little joint in the back of a feed store in Mabank, Texas. Nolan Belcher took the time during the COVID-19 pandemic to teach himself barbecue, and boy if he didn't do a killer job. He and his wife, Emily, along with regular help from their two boys, are putting out some of the best BBQ in Texas. So much so that they were listed on Texas Monthly's list of Top 25 Best New Joints in Texas in 2023.

MONTGOMERY
PITMASTERS: SHELBY, COOPER & CALEB ABERCROMBIE

Bar-A-BBQ is another relative newcomer to the world of Texas BBQ, but Cooper Abercrombie's family restaurant has already made waves. Named on Texas Monthly's Top 25 Best New Joints list in 2023, Cooper (along with most of his family, including brother and pitmaster Caleb) are cementing themselves as one of the best BBQ joints in the greater Houston area.

MARTIN, TENNESSEE
PITMASTER:BLAKE STOKER

You'd never know it, but you can find some of the best Texas-style barbecue in America a couple of hours northeast of Memphis in the heart of Tennessee. Blake Stoker has created a legendary barbecue establishment after starting his career in a trailer. He made a splash at Troubadour Festival in Celina in 2023, and we can't wait to have him make the trip again this year.

MARATHON
PITMASTER: PHILLIP MOELLERING

Phillip Moellering has created something special way out in Marathon, Texas. But let us be the first to tell you: It's worth the drive. Named a Top 25 Best BBQ Joint in Texas by Texas Monthly, Brick Vault brings great barbecue together along with a stellar brewery while being part of the historic Gage Hotel in Marathon. If a trip to Big Bend is in your plans, so should Brick Vault.

LINDALE
PITMASTER: CRAIG WOOD

Tucked away on a country road in Lindale you'll find a barbecue gem in Brisket Love. Craig Wood and his team have put together a stellar menu of meats and sides that puts Brisket Love among the greats in East Texas.

FORT WORTH
PITMASTER: TREVOR SALES

Trevor Sales received a smoker from his parents as a birthday gift in 2017 and he immediately fell in love with the craft of smoking Texas barbecue. Now seven years later, Sales has established one of the best barbecue joints in DFW. Named after his rescue dog, Brix boasts a stellar menu -- and you can't forget the BBQ brunch on Sundays.

PFLUGERVILLE
PITMASTER: BOBBY HOLLEY

John Brotherton escaped from the corporate world more than once to go after his barbecue dream. On the third time, he struck gold. Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue was born in 2015 and before long it was among the elite in Texas barbecue. Brotherton's was named to Texas Monthly's Top 25 Best New Restaurants in 2019 before hitting the prestigious Top 50 list in 2021. John Brotherton tragically passed away in January 2024, but his legacy lives on through his family and his team, who all will be present to cook the way John taught.

DALLAS
PITMASTER: ANDREW CASTELAN

Cattleack Barbeque made the news in 2023 when Todd David, its founder and original pitmaster, sold the business to former employee Andrew Castelan. But even with that change, the quality at Cattleack remains top-notch. Texas Monthly named Cattleack the sixth-best barbecue joint in Texas on its 2021 list.

AUSTIN
PITMASTER: CADE MERCER

One of the more inventive and creative minds in the game, Cade Mercer brings out all the stops every time he gets in front of the pit or a pan. He's created items such as a brisket crunchwrap in homage to the Taco Bell creation, a hot honey turkey biscuit, and beef fat brioche cinnamon rolls. But even if it's just regular Texas barbecue, he can handle that just fine, too.

ALEDO
PITMASTERS: DAYNE WEAVER & THOMAS LOVEN

What started out as a hobby in the backyard turned into one of the great Texas BBQ joints for Dayne Weaver. He started selling barbecue out of his backyard in 2017 before eventually opening a truck in Fort Worth. They operated for several years -- earning a spot on the Texas Monthly Top 50 list on the way -- before opening their first brick and mortar spot in Aledo in 2024. Not only known for stellar craft barbecue, Dayne has made the OG Burger one of the best anywhere.

FREDERICKSBURG
PITMASTER: LANCE EAKER

Among the rapidly growing town of Fredericksburg with its wineries, distilleries, and endless shopping is Eaker Barbecue. Lance Eaker and his wife Boo Eaker have created one of Central Texas' best spots, earning a spot on the Texas Monthly Top 50 list in 2021. Along with stellar Central Texas-style BBQ, the Eakers are masters at Asian fusion offerings, from Gochujang pork belly burnt ends, to spicy Korean fried chicken sandwiches, and more.

WACO
PITMASTER: REID GUESS

Reid Guess and his crew serve some of the best Central Texas barbecue in the heart of Waco. After being named in the Texas Monthly Top 25 Best New BBQ Joints in 2019, Guess Family earned a spot in the prestigious Top 50 list in 2021. While making stellar barbecue at the restaurant, Reid is renowned for his BBQ creations at festivals, which have included smoked and grilled bone marrow, live-fire Oysters Rockefeller, and homemade chicharrones with apple guacamole.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
PITMASTER: DANNY CASTILLO

Founded in 2012 as a backyard, central-Texas style barbecue, Heritage Barbecue has grown a viral following. Years of successful brewery pop ups led to the debut of a brick and mortar in San Juan Capistrano ... right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Danny Castillo and his crew were resilient, and now they are swamped every day with barbecue lovers. We're proud to have Heritage join us as our third out-of-state special guest in Celina this year.

RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT
PITMASTER: CODY SPERRY

A lot of people would say you're crazy if you told them you'd find amazing Texas-style barbecue in Ridgefield, Connecticut. But you wouldn't be wrong. Cody Sperry's wildly popular outpost puts out arguably the best barbecue in the northeast, and HooDoo Brown is set to make its third appearance at Troubadour Festival. Our original out of state special guest is famous for its crispy pork belly, which has been a hit at the last two Celina festivals.

ARLINGTON, FORT WORTH
PITMASTER: BRANDON HURTADO

In only five years time, Brandon Hurtado saw his barbecue concept go from pop-up ventures and a later a food truck, quickly to having two brick-and-mortars and being the official barbecue of the Texas Rangers (complete with a permanent location in Globe Life Field). A master at 'Mexicue,' Hurtado takes normal barbecue offerings and elevates them with Mexican influences, which can be found in his Birria tacos, poblano oaxaca sausage, and brisket tostadas.

McKINNEY, FRISCO
PITMASTERS: TIM & TRACY HUTCHINS

If there is a barbecue name that is synonymous with DFW (especially north DFW), it's Hutchins. Tim and Tracy Hutchins have launched their family business into superstardom over the years. They are a mainstay on Texas Monthly's Top 50 list and are considered one of the premier joints to put out consistently great product despite huge volumes. Credited with inventing the 'Texas Twinkie' (if you haven't had one, GO), Hutchins is also the kind of place you can get your perfect BBQ fix, no matter what you order.

LOCKHART
PITMASTER: ROY PEREZ

Kreuz Market's story dates back nearly 125 years when Charles Kreuz Sr. purchased a meat market in Lockhart, Texas and renamed in Kreuz Market. Kreuz Market resided in downtown Lockhart for 99 years before it moved to its current location in 1999. The fire never went out, as still-pitmaster Roy Perez and crew walked the original hot coals from the original location to the new one. The sausage recipe remains the same, Roy still works the chopping block, and the beef clod is still a local favorite.

BRENHAM
PITMASTERS: COREY COOK & MATT LOWERY

Matt Lowery started his journey in barbecue experimenting on his pit at home, circa 2012. A few years later, LJ's was born via pop-ups before moving to the back of a liquor store. LJ's, named after Matt and Leah Cook's grandmother Laura Jean, now resides on Main St. in Brenham, where you can find a stellar menu of BBQ from the top down. LJ's was named to Texas Monthly's Top 50 list in 2021.

NEWARK
PITMASTERS: STEVE & JASON BLOUNT

Brothers Steve and Jason Blount were very successful on the BBQ competition circuit when they decided to start catering small events and backyard parties. Soon after, the opportunity arose to help establish Karma Que, a 501c3 charity BBQ organization, to help meet the needs of people in their community. Then COVID hit and the world changed. Both Steve and Jason had the opportunities to leave their jobs and forge a new path that had, until then, just been a dream. That's when LocalCraft BBQ was born.

DALLAS, PLANO & ARLINGTON
PITMASTERS: JILL & JEFF BERGUS

Jill Grobowsky Bergus grew up steeped in the legacy of great BBQ. Her grandfather, Edgar “Papa” Schmidt ran the legendary Kreuz Market from the time he purchased it from the Kreuz family in 1948 until he passed it onto his sons in the 1980s. Jill’s newlywed years in New York introduced her to the joys of cooking, as well as, eating at some of the nation’s finest restaurants.The family lore of BBQ became a frequent topic among ex-Texans in New York. She and her husband, Jeff, plotted ways to get home to Texas. Fast-forward several years, and they are fulfilling one of their wildest dreams, bringing true Central Texas BBQ to the DFW area.

WAXAHACHIE
PITMASTER: MATT PITTMAN

Meat Church might be the only 'non-restaurant' at Troubadour Festival, but Matt Pittman's food and long history of doing events like these are well worth the price of admission. Pittman jumped into barbecue head first after touring several Central Texas joints. He eventually entered barbecue competitions and hosted huge tailgates at Dallas Cowboys games before he found himself on an episode of BBQ Pitmasters. Even though he didn't win, that's where Meat Church was born. Now, Meat Church is one of the most recognizable barbecue brands in the world, and it's easy to see why when you try his food.

CROCKETT
PITMASTER: WADE ELKINS

Wade and Kathy Elkins have created something special in their restaurant in the heart of Crockett, Texas. You come for the BBQ, but you stay for the rotating specials. The steak nights are legendary, as are the Akaushi brisket burgers. In 2022, Mimsy's -- another joint on the Texas Monthly To p50 list -- went a step further and added a meat and spice market inside the restaurant.

DECATUR
PITMASTER: DEREK DEGENHARDT

Derek Degenhardt has worked hard on the grind of owning a barbecue joint, operating North Texas Smoke out of a trailer next to a car dealership in Decatur. But his passion and drive has helped him create a must-have BBQ spot. The U.S. Army veteran is putting on top-notch brisket, ribs, and more -- his spot was named on Texas Monthly's Top 25 Best New Joints in Texas last year.

DALLAS, ADDISON
PITMASTER: MICHAEL LANE

Michael Lane has seen nearly every corner of the restaurant business, but these days see him at the helm of Oak'd BBQ. Oak'd is a gem in the Dallas area, putting out consistently great meats and sides on a daily basis. Pro-tip: Don't skip the desserts or the chicken fried steak after you're done with the barbecue.

SPICEWOOD
PITMASTERS: SETH & COURTNEY GLASER

The folks at Opie's like to say 'Life is Good in Spicewood!' -- and for good reason. If you've ever stepped inside Opie's, you know you're somewhere special. It's an old-school joint that's been open since 1999, and has been a Texas BBQ fixture ever since. Seth Glaser and his wife, Courtney, along with other members of their family work tirelessly to make the experience the best it can be on a daily basis. And for all things holy, never skip the tater tot casserole!

FORT WORTH
PITMASTERS: CHRIS MAGALLANES & ERNEST MORALES

Panther City BBQ (the name is an homage to Fort Worth’s “Panther City” nickname) started serving barbecue out of the food truck in January after Republic Street Bar, which owns the truck, announced it was up for grabs when another barbecue vendor called it quits. “It was a bad time of year to open a food truck,” Magallanes says, but he felt like they needed to jump on the opportunity. He, along with his partner, Ernest Morales, had found success on the competition circuit and as part-time barbecue vendors, but this is their first permanent spot. Their food is truly special -- Texas Monthly named Panther City the 10th best spot in Texas in 2021.

SAN ANTONIO
PITMASTERS: NICK & ELLIOTT REESE

One of the best barbecue joints to sprout up in recent memory, Reese Bros. BBQ is the creation of brothers Nick and Elliott Reese. Known for their Mexican twists on Texas-style barbecue, Reese Bros. was named to Texas Monthly's Top 25 New BBQ Joints in 2021.

HOUSTON, KATY
PITMASTER: RUSSELL ROEGELS

Russell Roegels has a long history of working in Texas barbecue, starting off at Bodacious BBQ in Longview before owning and operating a Baker's Ribs franchise in Houston. Russell and his wife, Misty, eventually broke away from the Baker's chain to build their own brand of barbecue. Thus, Roegels Barbecue Co. was born. The traditional meats are stellar, and you can't miss the specials such as the pastrami or the Katsu Turkey. Misty is a master at sides and desserts. As Russell likes to say, 'A smoked-filled sky is our limit.'

HARKER HEIGHTS
PITMASTERS: KRISTEN & STEVEN ROSSLER

When you click on 'The Crew' link on Rossler's website, you'll notice everyone's last name ends with 'Rossler,' including Steven and Kristen's two daughters. Everyone plays a role at the Rossler's truck, and they serve some damn fine barbecue. One of Texas Monthly's Top 25 Best New Joints in 2023, Rossler's is a veteran-owned business. Steven served 20-plus years in the U.S. Army, deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. There's no doubt you'll find that kind of passion in the food and people at Rossler's. Steven is also easy to find -- he's that guy with 'BARBECUE' tattooed across his knuckles.

SULPHUR SPRINGS
PITMASTER: DAVID SLAUGHTER

One of Texas's best kept barbecue secrets is Slaughter's Barbecue in Sulphur Springs. Now in a permanent brick and mortar location, David Slaughter and crew are putting out absolutely stellar barbecue on a daily basis. You can see the passion in the restaurant and feel it with every bite.

FATE
PITMASTER: CAMERON HALEY

Cameron Haley said his friends and family probably thought he was crazy when he quit his sales job to open a barbecue business. But he and his wife sold their house and pursued the dream. These days, their truck in Fate is a destination barbecue joint that stands among the best in DFW.

ROYSE CITY
PITMASTER: CHAD SESSIONS

Located in historic downtown Royse City, Smoke Sessions BBQ is another gem that you need to make the trip to if you haven't already. Armed with a brilliantly creative mind and a passion for barbecue, Chad is simply one of the best.

DALLAS
PITMASTER: KRIS MANNING

Smokey Joe's BBQ is a Dallas institution, opened 40 years ago by Joe Melton and Kenneth Manning when they converted an old gas station into a barbecue joint. Fast forward to 2014, when Kris Manning took over the business from his father and transformed it into not only a Texas Monthly Top 50 spot, but also one of the best BBQ joints in Dallas. Manning, a nephew of former New York Giants star linebacker Jessie Armstead, perfected the restaurant's brisket and maintained fixtures such as the famous pork ribs, fried okra, and collard greens.

LONGVIEW
PITMASTERS: BRYAN BINGHAM, DAVE SEGOVIA, KIMMY BINGHAM

Not many barbecue joints can say they've been on as wild of a ride as the owners of Sunbird Barbecue. Bryan Bingham, his wife Kimmy, and their partner Dave Segovia have established their own brick and mortar in Longview after months and years of bumps in the road. But when you take in the smells and tastes of their food, you can tell where the passion comes from. The sausages are crazy good, and you might find the best mac and cheese of your life at Sunbird.

TOMBALL
PITMASTER: SCOTT MOORE JR.

Imagine being a master at the craft of chocolate AND barbecue. That's what life is like if you're Scott Moore Jr. The fifth-generation Texan provides the best of both worlds inside an old house in Tomball, Texas. The Texas Monthly Top 50 joint is heralded for its stellar meats, including wonderfully inventive sausages and as anyone who's been will tell you: Always order the carrot souffle.

CELINA, FRISCO, AUBREY, LITTLE ELM
PITMASTER:

Launched in 2017 with its original location in Celina, Tender Smokehouse is becoming a barbecue staple in several locations across north DFW. The brisket and ribs are fan favorites at Tender, which recently opened its fourth location in Little Elm.

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
PITMASTER: MARC SMITH

Marc Smith and his wife, Gina, started The Patriotic Pig in 2016 as a barbecue catering business. They've not only grown to become one of the top wedding caterers in DFW (500+ weddings per year kind of big), but they also put out stellar barbecue at their brick and mortar in North Richland Hills. Smith is an Army veteran, and it's easy to see he's proud of his country (and his food).

AMARILLO
PITMASTER: TYLER FRAZER

Tyler Frazer is an Amarillo native who opened his namesake barbecue joint more than a decade ago. Known for his great brisket and ribs, Tyler saw his barbecue joint make the Texas Monthly Top 50 list in 2013 and again in 2017.

GRAPEVINE
PITMASTER: ARNULFO 'TREY' SANCHEZ III

'Trey' Sanchez has been around barbecue for as long as he can remember. His father, Arnold, opened a Texas BBQ joint in East Dallas in 1989, and Trey carries on that tradition with Vaqueros in Grapevine (eventually Allen). Whether it's the traditional smoked meats or the rotating Mexican-inspired offerings (think BBQ Birria tacos and Smoked Cochinita Pibil), you can't go wrong here. One of Texas's most underrated spots is now flourishing in the limelight, highlighted by Trey's recent semifinalist nomination for a James Beard Award as Best Chef in Texas.

MARSHALL
PITMASTERS: BRIAN & JULIE WRIGHT

Brian and Julie Wright established Wright-On in Harleton, but they made the decision to move the operation to Marshall this year, and they just had their grand opening in their new building. As you can probably guess, Wright-On is known for its tacos (and rightfully so), but it won't take long to realize that Brian and his crew are good at all Texas barbecue.

GRAND PRAIRIE
PITMASTER: JOE ZAVALA

You know you're at the right spot in Grand Prairie, Texas, when you find yourself at the corner of Brisket and Main. That's where you'll grace the doors of Zavala's Barbecue, a Texas Monthly top 50 joint and the brain-child of Joe Zavala. The traditional Texas BBQ offerings are always on point, but you can't skip out on the Mexican-influenced creations as well. The Sloppy Juan tacos can't be beat.