Enjoying the best barbecue in Texas at Burnt Bean Co.
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.
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:
Additionally, ten honorable mentions from the Houston area showcase the diversity of flavors and styles within the region’s barbecue offerings:
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.
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.
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.
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