No two barbecue experiences will ever be the same, at least not in Texas. Every chef or smoker has his or her own means of barbecuing, and every restaurant provides a distinct experience. So, whether you’re looking for a great lunch spot, a stylish dinner for out-of-town guests, or tender smoked meat with a side of live music, there’s a great barbecue joint in Dallas that will suit every occasion.
With two locations in the DFW area, Meat U Anywhere has a delicious selection of meats, including pit ham, brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis cut rib, sausage, and chicken. However, what really sets this joint apart is its barbecue injected breakfast menu that has a Tex-Mex twist. Here breakfast tacos are king, filled to the brim with carne guisada, pork guiso, or jalapeno cheddar sausage, then capped off with a healthy portion of eggs and cheese.
Mike Anderson’s BBQ House likens itself to a café-style barbecue joint with a laid-back atmosphere. Every day it lists 10 hickory-smoked meats on the board, including Polish sausage, brisket, ham, and chicken. It also makes all sauces, rubs, and dressings in-house. Combine that with one of the thirteen unique homemade sides like barbecue beans and sausage, garlic and cheddar smashed taters (potatoes), cheesy corn bake with poblano peppers and onions, or dill tater salad, then finish it off with a sugary cobbler or pudding for dessert and you have yourself an epic plate of food. It may be a heavy lunch, but it’s a meal worthy of Dallas, Texas.
A bit north of the Galleria, Cattleack Barbecue is a local Dallas favorite. Only open Thursdays, Fridays, and the first Saturday of the month, its hours are slim, but the line is always long. The homemade sausage, brisket, ribs, and turkey are on point, but the Toddfather Sandwich (comprised of brisket, pulled pork, and a hot link) will make you dance in your chair with satisfaction. Be sure to grab a slice of the famous crack cake, a gooey pie-version of butter cake, to wash down the barbecue. Though Cattleack does have an indoor dining area, it’s always busy, making this the perfect place to pick up lunch and enjoy it in a nearby park, away from the busy lunch crowd.
Though most barbecue restaurants are generally casual in style, some are more akin to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, while others are upscale and chic. If you’re looking for a barbecue dinner somewhere in the middle, look no further than Ten50 BBQ. When it comes to the basics – brisket, ribs, chicken, and turkey – Ten50’s got you covered. It’s their torpedoes, which are smoked jalapenos stuffed with a mixture of brisket or chicken, cream cheese, spices, and herbs wrapped in bacon, that really stand out. After grabbing meat straight from the smoker, choose from classic sides like baked beans and mac and cheese, then an unexpected slice of key-lime pie before settling down in the spacious, rustic-inspired dining room.
Across from the Dallas Arboretum, Smoky Rose is a stylish barbecue restaurant known for its amazing cuisine and bistro feel. There’s a rustic, farm-to-table vibe at Smoky Rose, complete with a cozy patio full of comfy seats and fire pits. It serves a hearty dinner with a smokehouse selection of brisket, sausage, pulled pork, and turkey, plus traditional and not-so-traditional sides like smokehouse beans and jalapeno kale coleslaw. The Smoky Rose also serves up creative craft cocktails, the best local brews, and an impressive selection of wines.
