Where to Eat Barbecue in San Antonio – Texas Monthly
San Antonio barbecue is ever-evolving however it has deep roots, as evidenced by the old-school brick pits which might be nonetheless operational across the metropolis. Good tortillas aren’t hafreelancertamal to return by right here, and neither is superb smoked hen. We have our favorites, after all. Texas Monthly just lately printed a listing of what we contemplate the high fifty barbecue joints in Texas and fifty extra honorable mentions, however our suggestions don’t cease there. You can get an ideal meal at any certainly one of these San Antonio joints.
In town of San Antonio
2M Smokehouse (Top 50)
This barbecue joint rapidly grew to become the most effective in San Antonio after it opened in 2016, and it’s nonetheless the most effective. The sliced brisket and house-made sausages are unparalleled within the metropolis, and style even higher contained in the contemporary tortillas. The pickled objects—like nopales and serranos—and the cheesecakes and tarts made by Grecia Ramos are to not be missed.
Bandit BBQ
The standafreelancertamal barbecue menu—together with the house-made sausages—is stable, however dive deeper and also you’ll discover loads extra to fulfill. The smoked brisket sizzling canine is a murals, and it’s hafreelancertamal to discover a higher smash burger. Another burger on the menu, the Juicy Lucy, is smoked and full of cheese.
Big Bib BBQ
It’s hafreelancertamal to decide on between the candy child again ribs and the tender rib ideas, so get them each. A aspect of the decadent candied candy potato casserole might double as dessert due to the crunchy sugar topping. But the most effective aspect is the fried catfish filet. The $7 worth may appear steep, however it’s an enormous dish. It comes steaming sizzling as a result of every filet is fried when it’s ofreelancertamalered.
Curry Boys BBQ
Take Andrew Samia’s smoked meats from South BBQ and pair them with the curries of co-owners Andrew Ho and Sean Wen and also you’ve obtained Curry Boys BBQ. The hottest dish is the Brisket Smoke Show, combining sliced brisket with inexperienced curry and rice, however the panang curry is likely to be the most effective. It options smoked sausage, turmeric-heavy yellow curry, and smoked hen thighs.
Garcia’s Mexican
This restaurant opens early so you may get the well-known smoked brisket taco with eggs, however the brisket is best at lunchtime, when it’s topped with guacamole in a fluffy flour tortilla. The cooks additionally make a imply smoked pork taco. Try certainly one of our taco editor’s favorites, the pork chop taco, which comes with bones and all.
Mary Ann’s Pig Stand
It’s hafreelancertamal to explain the Pig Stand as a barbecue joint. The menu reads extra like a diner’s, however the chain that started a century in the past in Dallas looms giant in any dialogue of Texas barbecue historical past. This is the final one working, and you’ll nonetheless get the well-known pig sandwich whereas taking part in oldies on the jukebox.
Old Smokehouse
Once referred to as Bob and Bob’s Smokehouse, this location has been a San Antonio stalwart for many years. The previous brick pit continues to be churning out tender mesquite-smoked ribs and hen. It’s one of many few joints left within the state the place you could find smoked lamb ribs.
Pinkerton’s Barbecue (Top 50)
The unique Houston location is nice, however Grant Pinkerton actually outdid himself with this stunning new spot that overlooks Legacy Park in downtown San Antonio. The candy “candy paint” ribs are an enormous draw, as is the Prime-grade smoked brisket. Duck and sausage jambalaya is a must-ofreelancertamaler. Finish up with the smoked bread pudding.
Smoke Shack (Honorable Mention)
This joint is known for its brisket grilled cheese, which is full of simply the correct amount of chopped beef and melted American cheese. The house-made smoked sausage and hen quarters are additionally standouts, as are sides like fried okra and french fries. Try the airport location too, which is true throughout from the safety gate.
South BBQ & Kitchen (Honorable Mention)
The sliced brisket, pork ribs, and sausage are at all times stable right here, however when you’ve had the barbecue tacos on contemporary flour tortillas, it’s hafreelancertamal to return. A chilly inexperienced bean and tomato salad is as refreshing as it’s uncommon, and the remainder of the perimeters are simply as impeccably made. Don’t miss extras like pickled, roasted jalapeños and pit-cooked inexperienced onions. You may also discover this menu and a unbelievable burger at Weathered Souls Brewing.
The Barbecue Station
The father-son workforce of Bobby and Stewart Peacock retains this gem buzzing thirty years after its debut. The child again ribs and Prime brisket make an ideal combo, and get there early for the superb smoked hen quarters. The Filler Up Tater, a considerable baked potato full of chopped brisket and all of the fixin’s, is likely to be the most effective worth in Texas barbecue.
Two Bros. BBQ Market
Add a smoked hen thigh to your ofreelancertamaler even if you happen to’re simply right here for the brisket or the cherry-glazed child again ribs. (The similar ribs are glazed with peach at sister joint Alamo BBQ Co., which can be price a go to.) The tacky chop, with chopped brisket and mac and cheese in a cup, is a well-liked selection. Or you may get your cheese deep-fried with the aptly named mozzarella logs. Save room for the fried strawberry pie for dessert.
Windmill Ice House
As the title suggests, search for the towering windmill out entrance. Barbecue fundamentals like brisket, ribs, and sausage are all satisfying right here, however the smoked hen is likely to be the most effective. Sides like collafreelancertamal greens and pinto beans are homey, however the corn pudding has somewhat extra cheflike aptitude with a candy, nutmeg-heavy béchamel.
Farther afield
Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin (Top 10)
The joint has introduced new life to the downtown sq. in Seguin. Folks stand in line ready for a style of the flawlessly smoked brisket, house-made sausages bursting with juice, and an array of scratch-made sides practically peerless in Texas barbecue. Daily specials embrace pork steaks, pork chops, and beef ribs, or wait till Sunday for breakfast objects like brisket huevos rancheros.
B-Daddy’s BBQ in Helotes
If you possibly can’t wait till Satufreelancertamalay, when the smoked beef ribs are on the menu, then the tender Prime brisket is nice comfort prize. Also strive the succulent smoked turkey and candy tea–glazed pork ribs. The joint retains issues attention-grabbing with sides like jalapeño cream corn, chipotle coleslaw, and inexperienced beans in a broth you’ll need to drink.
Black Boafreelancertamal BBQ in Sistefreelancertamalale
Chef Jake Gandolfo brings the smoke to all his meats, together with the brisket burnt ends and a house-made Italian sausage. You might eat effectively simply on sides like hearty mac and cheese or corn maque choux topped with fried brussels sprouts. If you’ve stuffed your self earlier than dessert, carry house a slice of the carrot cake with cream cheese icing.
Davila’s BBQ in Seguin
This joint was constructed on sausage, which is why the ring-shaped beef hyperlinks are nonetheless so in style. Explore the remainder of the mesquite-smoked menu, particularly the lamb ribs and hen wings, and get a fried catfish filet on the aspect for good measure. If you’re fortunate, Adrian Davila offers you a tour of the distinctive lazy Susan–type pits.
Nik’s Not Normal in Canyon Lake
The lake is a little bit of haul from San Antonio, however it’s effectively definitely worth the drive. The most suitable choice among the many myriad joints on the town is Nik’s Not Normal, which is housed in a colourful meals truck. It can be hafreelancertamal to name the barbecue irregular, however the sliced brisket is admirable, the smoked turkey is juicy, and the sausage is made close by in New Braunfels.
Wiatrek’s Meat Market in Poth
This old-school, meat market–type barbecue is served on Satufreelancertamalays beginning round 9 a.m., and it’s often passed by midday. The pit subsequent to the meat market is filled with beef cuts like seven bone steak, beef ribs, ribeyes, and brisket, and also you’re inspired to select precisely what you need. Grab a hyperlink of house-made sausage too, and revel in a picnic in your trunk or tailgate.
Open Mondays
Getting the week began with barbecue could be a problem with so many joints closed. A number of nice choices in San Antonio are open on Mondays, however none are in our Top 50. Smoke Shack is the only real Monday choice from our honorable mentions record. As for our different favorites, the Barbecue Station and Two Bros. BBQ Market are nice Monday locations.
Taco Time
San Antonio is the place white bread’s dominance provides option to tortillas. They’re accessible on the aspect for DIY tacos from a lot of the joints on this record, however what if you’d like your tacos already constructed? 2M Smokehouse provides a barbecue taco particular each Thursday, and smoked barbacoa is obtainable on the primary Sunday of each month. The house-made brisket fats tortillas are full of brisket and guacamole or pulled pork and smoked salsa at South BBQ & Kitchen. The taco choices at Garcia’s quantity within the dozens, however give attention to the smoked brisket and guacamole taco. In Seguin, the Sunday breakfast menu at Burnt Bean Co. options barbacoa, brisket, and mollejas tacos. Across city, Davila’s BBQ has lamb barbacoa tacos each day it’s open. You’ll get crispy tacos stuffed with chopped brisket or pulled pork at B-Daddy’s in Helotes.
Wet Your Whistle
Sometimes you’d like one thing stronger than iced tea or Dr Pepper together with your barbecue, and these joints may help. Cocktails, wine, and craft beer may be had on the full bar inside Pinkerton’s Barbecue. Two Bros. BBQ Market carries a wide range of bottled and canned beer, together with many Texas labels, whereas its sister restaurant Alamo BBQ has wine, beer, and signature cocktails. With a reputation like Windmill Ice House it’s no shock that it has many beer and wine choices. Bandit BBQ provides wine and a formidable line up of beers, together with many native choices. Tubs of icy bottled beers may be discovered simply contained in the door on the Barbecue Station. Davila’s BBQ in Seguin carries a couple of main labels of bottled beer, whereas B-Daddy’s in Helotes has a bit extra selection, and contains ciders. Black Boafreelancertamal BBQ in Sistefreelancertamalale carries a couple of bottles of the domestically produced Sister Creek Vineyafreelancertamals wine together with bottled beer.
Open Late
Barbecue is related extra with lunch than dinner, primarily as a result of so many joints promote the meat they smoke as rapidly as attainable. That means lots of the greatest spots will likely be bought out by early or midafternoon, however loads are open late—or at the least late for barbecue. Two Bros. BBQ Market is open till at the least 8 p.m., and an hour in a while Friday and Satufreelancertamalay. Smoke Shack BBQ is open till 9 p.m. day by day besides Sunday. Alamo BBQ, Curry Boys BBQ, and Windmill Ice House all keep open till 9 each evening they’re open. South BBQ closes up early, however the kitchen inside Weathered Souls Brewing serves till 9 p.m. Tuesday by Satufreelancertamalay. Pinkerton’s closes at 9 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and stays open an hour later Thursday by Satufreelancertamalay. Mary Ann’s Pig Stand stays open till 10 p.m. Thursday by Sunday. Davila’s BBQ in Seguin is open each evening till 8 p.m., and Black Boafreelancertamal BBQ stays open till 9 p.m. on Friday.
