Discover the Best Dallas Barbecue Joints Worth the Drive

By Brian Purcell on May 29th, 2025

When it comes to Dallas barbecue, you’re not just ordering lunch, you’re stepping into a legacy of smoke, bark, and time-honored flavor. From old-school joints that helped define the barbecue scene to rising stars serving brisket with a twist, Dallas and Fort Worth are packed with spots worth driving across the state for.

This guide features established legends and new barbecue joints gaining statewide attention. Whether you’re a lifelong local, a first-time visitor, or just hungry after moving boxes all day, these are the places to eat, unwind, and taste the best of handcrafted Texas BBQ.

And if you’re planning a move? Firehouse Movers is a firefighter-owned, fully licensed Texas moving company with deep roots in the Dallas area. We don’t just know where to park the truck, we know where to get the best ribs afterward.

What Makes Dallas-Fort Worth a Barbecue Destination?

Across Dallas and Fort Worth, barbecue is both heritage and experimentation. Dallas barbecue tends to lean upscale; think smoky brisket with thick bark, local craft beers, and sides like mac and cheese, potato salad, and cornbread muffins. Fort Worth, meanwhile, sticks to fire, meat, and history. It’s no-frills and all flavor, built on seasoned pits and generational skill.

Expect to find:

Smoky brisket sliced thick with post-oak smoke
Fall-apart back ribs and beef ribs
House-made sausages and Texas Twinkies
Tangy or molasses-thick barbecue sauce
Weekend specials that sell out fast

From Bishop Arts to Deep Ellum, the Dallas barbecue tradition continues to thrive across both new openings and old legends. It’s no wonder national outlets have called this one of the most awesome barbecue scenes in the state.

10 BBQ Restaurants to Try in Dallas & Fort Worth

These restaurants represent some of the best barbecue in Dallas-Fort Worth, each one offering a different expression of pitmaster skill and regional flavor.

1. Pecan Lodge (Dallas – Deep Ellum)

Pecan Lodge is consistently mentioned among the best barbecue in Dallas, thanks to its rich bark, tender brisket, and long-standing Deep Ellum roots. This Dallas institution has earned acclaim from food critics and fans across the country. Pecan Lodge is best known for its perfectly smoked brisket, spicy sausage, and “Hot Mess” sweet potato stuffed with barbacoa. Get there early because lines form fast, and for good reason.

Named in Eater Dallas and every list of the best BBQ joints in Dallas, this spot delivers big flavor and true Southern soul. It’s the kind of joint in Texas that sets the standard.

2. Hutchins BBQ (McKinney / Frisco)

Just north of Dallas, Hutchins BBQ keeps its reputation strong with consistently flavorful brisket, juicy ribs, and unforgettable Texas Twinkies. Their selection of scratch-made sides and desserts turns a meat tray into a full experience.

Praised in D Magazine’s roundup, Hutchins feels like a backyard family gathering just with better brisket.

3. Lockhart Smokehouse (Dallas – Bishop Arts)

Lockhart Smokehouse brings the DNA of Central Texas to South Dallas, offering Kreuz sausage, shoulder clod, and no-nonsense brisket served on butcher paper. There are no forks, just flavor, community, and sauce on the side (if you want it).

As one of the most traditional BBQ joints in the Dallas location, Lockhart blends meat-market nostalgia with loyal fanfare.

4. Angelo’s BBQ (Fort Worth – West Side)

A cornerstone of Fort Worth barbecue since 1958, Angelo’s is known for its wood-paneled interior, vintage taps, and decades of brisket perfection. The pork ribs are a standout, with just enough pull and smoke to satisfy any pitmaster.

It earned fresh recognition in CultureMap Fort Worth’s 2025 Tastemaker Awards, a nod that even longtime legends still bring their A-game.

5. Slow Bone (Dallas – Design District)

Slow Bone serves up brisket, chicken-fried ribs, and bold sides like green bean casserole and hominy hush puppies. With a cafeteria-style line and fast-moving lunch crowd, it’s a favorite for weekday pit stops and casual foodies.

Named one of the best barbecue restaurants in Dallas by The Infatuation, Slow Bone proves that craft barbecue can also be comforting and creative.

6. Heim Barbecue (Fort Worth – Southside)

What started as a food truck is now one of the most recognized names in modern Texas barbecue. Heim Barbecue created the now-famous bacon burnt ends, but their brisket, pork belly, and peach cobbler keep the buzz going.

Recognized by Eater Dallas for its innovation and consistency, Heim blends new-school creativity with old-school execution, a rare feat among top BBQ restaurants. In a city that takes its smoked meat seriously, Panther City and Heim continue to define what many consider the best barbecue in Fort Worth.

7. Panther City BBQ (Fort Worth – Near South Main)

Panther City BBQ isn’t just a food truck anymore, it’s a cornerstone of the Fort Worth barbecue scene. Their brisket is rich and smoky, the birria tacos are local favorites, and their brisket elote has earned cult status.

Named one of the best new barbecue joints in Texas by CultureMap’s 2025 Tastemaker Awards, Panther City blends edge, tradition, and precision in every tray.

8. Terry Black’s Barbecue (Dallas – Deep Ellum)

A transplant from Austin, Terry Black’s has cemented itself as a Dallas institution. Their colossal beef ribs, pepper-crusted turkey, and jalapeño-cheddar sausage set the tone for modern pit operations in South Dallas.

Named in D Magazine’s guide, Terry Black’s is one of the best BBQ joints in the city offering high capacity without sacrificing high standards.

9. Big Al’s Smokehouse BBQ (Dallas – Love Field)

Big Al’s has been serving Texas barbecue since 1974, delivering hearty portions of chopped brisket, pork ribs, and spicy sausage to locals and travelers alike. With a homey vibe and fast service, it’s one of those places that gets barbecue right without overcomplicating it.

The Dallas Observer calls it “a steady performer in a city that’s constantly chasing trends,” and that kind of staying power matters in the evolving barbecue business.

10. Zavala’s Barbecue (Grand Prairie)

Just a short drive from the core of Dallas, Zavala’s balances neighborhood roots with serious acclaim. Their hand-pressed tortillas, bold brisket, and silky smoked turkey make them a weekend destination.

Featured in Texas Monthly, Zavala’s is a standout among barbecue joints in Texas, capturing the best of tradition and creativity in one spot.

Planning a Move? These BBQ Spots Are Just the Beginning

Dallas and Fort Worth aren’t just known for great food, they’re known for livable neighborhoods, job growth, and welcoming communities. Whether you’re relocating for work, expanding your business, or just craving more access to good eats, there’s a barbecue joint and a great new zip code waiting for you!

Our Dallas local movers help families and individuals settle near iconic institutions like Pecan Lodge and Terry Black’s. If you’re heading west, local Fort Worth movers can move you within steps of spots like Panther City or Heim Barbecue.

If you’re a restaurant owner and part of the growing barbecue business, our Dallas commercial movers specialize in transporting equipment, furniture, and inventory, whether you’re opening a new Dallas location or relocating an existing smokehouse across the Dallas area.

And if you’re moving from across the state, our Texas moving services offer long-distance logistics that are as dependable as your favorite pitmaster’s brisket. As trusted Dallas-Fort Worth movers, Firehouse Movers help residents, business owners, and food lovers settle near their favorite barbecue joints.

Ready to Eat Barbecue and Call Dallas Home?

North Texas offers more than brisket and BBQ sauce, it offers a lifestyle built on connection, comfort, and community. Whether you’re moving from another Texas city or across the country, Firehouse Movers is here to help you plant new roots near the places you’ll come to love.

We’re firefighter-owned, fully licensed and insured, and trusted across the region for reliable, respectful service, from the first box to the final tray of leftovers.

Call (972) 412-6033 or request your free quote today and plan your move with a team that knows its way around neighborhoods and smokehouses.

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