News Summary
Texas Monthly has unveiled its list of the best barbecue joints in Texas for 2025, with Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin taking the top spot. This change marks a significant shift in rankings, as Truth Barbeque from Houston dropped to No. 9. Houston remains well represented on the list with seven establishments making the cut, showcasing the city’s diverse barbecue scene. The rankings highlight changing preferences and competition in Texas’ renowned barbecue culture.
Houston, Texas – Texas Monthly has revealed its highly anticipated list of the top barbecue joints in Texas for 2025. The publication, known for assessing the state’s renowned barbecue scene every four years, awarded the coveted top spot to Burnt Bean Co. from Seguin. This marks a significant shake-up in the rankings, with Truth Barbeque from Houston coming in at No. 9, down from its previous third-place ranking in 2021.
Top 10 Barbecue Joints in Texas for 2025
- 1. Burnt Bean Co., Seguin
- 2. LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, Austin
- 3. Goldee’s Barbecue, Fort Worth
- 4. Redbird BBQ, Port Neches
- 5. GW’s BBQ, San Juan
- 6. InterStellar BBQ, Austin
- 7. Dayne’s Craft Barbecue, Aledo
- 8. La Vaca BBQ, Port Lavaca
- 9. Truth BBQ, Houston
- 10. Evie Mae’s Pit Barbeque, Wolfforth
Houston Representation
The Houston area continues to maintain a notable presence on the list with a total of seven establishments making the cut. Alongside Truth Barbeque, the following joints are recognized among the top 50 in the state:
- CorkScrew BBQ
- Pinkerton’s Barbecue
- Bar A BBQ
- Brisket & Rice
- Jennings & Co. BBQ
- Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q
Additionally, ten honorable mentions from the Houston area showcase the diversity of flavors and styles within the region’s barbecue offerings:
- Blood Bros. BBQ
- Brett’s BBQ
- Feges BBQ
- Gatlin’s BBQ
- Harlem Road Texas BBQ
- J-Bar-M Barbecue
- Killen’s Barbecue
- Roegels Barbecue Co.
- Space City B-B-Q
- Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue
Survey Insights
Barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn led the evaluation process, which entailed visits to 319 restaurants. Among these, Vaughn personally revisited over 100 establishments in January and February of 2025 as part of his assessment. The new rankings also highlight shifting dynamics in the barbecue landscape, as previous favorites like Snow’s BBQ and Franklin Barbecue have notably dropped from the top 10 to the lower rankings for the first time in history.
Changes in Rankings
The latest list reflects substantial changes since 2021. Burnt Bean Co. claimed the top position, moving up from fourth place. LeRoy & Lewis Barbecue ascended from fifth to second, while Goldee’s Barbecue dropped from its previous first place to third. Meanwhile, Evie Mae’s Pit Barbeque joins Truth Barbeque as the only two establishments to have appeared in the top 10 across all three lists since 2017.
Context on the Houston Barbecue Scene
The Houston barbecue scene has faced increasing competition and has demonstrated signs of decline compared to the 2021 assessment. While several key players have maintained status within the list, the overall number of acclaimed spots from the region has diminished. The changes in rankings serve as an indicator of evolving barbecue trends and preferences among enthusiasts in Texas—a state known for its deep-rooted barbecue culture.
As Texas Monthly continues to provide thorough evaluations of barbecue joints statewide, food lovers can anticipate further explorations of flavors, techniques, and innovations that make Texas a premier destination for barbecue enthusiasts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Texas Monthly: Top 50 BBQ 2025
- Houston Chronicle: Best BBQ in Houston
- KXAN: Central Texas Barbecue Joints
- Texas Monthly: Levant BBQ Houston
- CultureMap: Texas Monthly Top 10 Predictions
- Wikipedia: Texas Barbecue
- Google Search: Texas Monthly BBQ 2025
- Google Scholar: Texas Barbecue
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Barbecue
- Google News: 2025 Texas BBQ Rankings
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
