Best Barbecue Spots Near Dallas

“Beef brisket” by Paul Lowry licensed under CC BY 2.0

It’s no secret that Dallas is one of the best cities in the country for barbecue, from juicy meats to creamy sides. In fact, there’s so much great barbecue in the Dallas area, it can be overwhelming to choose just one restaurant. To help you pick a destination for your next meal out, we explored all things smokey, spicy, and sweet to bring you a list of some local favorites. Here’s our list of the best barbecue spots near Dallas, Texas.

Hutchins BBQ

Once you try a bite of the smoked brisket from Frisco’s Hutchins BBQ, it won’t be hard to understand why they’re winning awards for the locals’ favorite barbecue spot. Guests go wild for the Texas Twinkies, which are brisket-and-cream-cheese-stuffed jalapeños wrapped in crispy bacon, so order some for the table to share and make sure you’re ready for plenty of flavor. Some favorite barbecue meats include pulled pork, jalapeño cheddar sausage, and the famous Prime Brisket. Most meats range from $20 to $30 a pound, so plan on sharing with family and friends.

There’s no shortage of southern hospitality at Hutchins, either. If you dine in, they’ll bring a free peach cobbler to your table. From one-of-a-kind appetizers to Texas sweet treats, no one leaves Hutchins without a full belly. If you think Hutchins is something to write home about, you can even send their meats to friends or family using their online ordering and nationwide shipping system.

Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que

A staple of the Dallas culinary scene, Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que is famous for its top-notch sides. Locals rave about their mac and cheese, green beans, and cornbread. While the sides might stun at Smokey John’s, the seasoned meats are just as mouthwatering. If you’re craving seafood over pork or beef, you’re in luck. Smokey John’s has a reputation for serving some of the best-fried catfish in the Dallas area. You can order a Catfish Plate for one or two people or share a Catfish Basket with the whole group.

There’s a kid-friendly option too called the Lil’ Smokes meal, which comes with your choice of a burger, barbecue sandwich, or chicken. If you have room for dessert, try to squeeze in a slice of Butter Bomb Cake. A pound of meat at Smokey John’s costs between $17.95 and $25, but if you’re looking for a cheaper option for a quick lunch, try one of their signature meats in a sandwich for $6.95. This family-owned spot offers a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of Texas charm, so plan on grabbing a table and staying for a while.

Slow Bone Texas Barbecue

Meats take center stage at Slow Bone Texas Barbecue, another award-winning local mainstay. While their brisket and pulled pork are beloved, Slow Bone also has an underdog favorite: the juicy Turkey Breast. With flaky warm challah buns, you can’t go wrong with a sandwich at Slow Bone. The half-pound Pork Rib Sandwich comes open-face with plenty of sauce. You never have to worry about getting enough sauce here, though. There’s a sauce and pickle bar where you can load up on your favorites. Popular sides include braised greens and spicy mac and cheese.

Soak up the Dallas sunshine while you dine because Slow Bone has a host of large wooden tables on the building’s perimeter. Plan on stopping by Slow Bone for lunch, because they’re only open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day. With a dedicated base of local fans, Slow Bone is so popular that people sometimes line up outside the door before it opens, so get there early if you’re coming on the weekend. Plus, you can order a quarter-pound of meat for around $5.50, making Slow Bone a budget-friendly option.

Pecan Lodge

Plenty of locals call Pecan Lodge their favorite barbecue in Dallas, and with unbelievably tender meats, a fun atmosphere, and fast service, they earn the accolades. Pecan Lodge has meat down to a science, with 24-hour mesquite wood pits and hand-ground sausage. Their commitment to house-made ingredients, high-quality meats, and low-and-slow techniques shows in their food. To taste as many meats as possible, order the Three Meat Plate, and opt for brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. You can’t go wrong with their sausage, either, which people agree is just spicy enough.

You can’t go home without trying Aunt Polly’s Banana Pudding either, which is made entirely from scratch. Prices are pretty standard, with half-pound servings priced between $10 and $15, depending on the meat. A big group can share The Trough, which is a collection of signature meats, for under $100. Pecan Lodge has a huge outdoor patio with charming touches like string lights, greenery, and wooden picnic tables, so if you’re looking for ambiance, you’ve found it.

One90 Smoked Meats

Charming but unpretentious, One90 Smoked Meats is a no-frills barbecue stop that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Once promoted by Guy Fieri on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” One90 Smoked Meats has tasty sandwiches, juicy meats, generous portions, and delicious sides. To get a taste of their beloved barbecue, try the Brisket Sandwich, which comes smothered in sauce and cushioned by a locally-sourced brioche bun. 

People also love their non-traditional sandwiches, like the D.L.T., a duck breast sandwich, and the Smoked Pork Belly Sandwich with cilantro and tangy vinegar slaw. For something unexpected, order a few tacos. While you might not expect a barbecue restaurant to wrap their brisket with a corn tortilla and top it with cotija cheese, you won’t regret trying this dish. The spicy Salmon Taco also leaves guests with smiles on their faces. Sandwiches range from $9 to $17, and you can get sides for as little as $2.

So, there you have it. The Hand and Wrist Institute recommended five of the most mouth-watering restaurants for freshly smoked meats in the Dallas, Texas area. Did we get all your favorite hot spots? If there’s a hole-in-the-wall that you love for barbecue, let us know and we’ll add it to our list. 

Nothing should get in the way of enjoying the rich flavors of Texas barbecue with your loved ones. If you have hand, wrist, or elbow pain that’s disturbing your daily activities, we can help. At The Hand and Wrist Institute, we show Dallas-based patients suffering from carpal tunnel and other injuries how to live pain-free.

Dr. John Knight

Dr. Knight is a renowned hand, wrist and upper extremity surgeon with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. Dr Knight has appeared on CNN, The Doctors TV, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Oxygen network and more.