The United States of Texas Barbecue: Honorable Mentions

Narrowing down my list of best Texas-style barbecue joints in the United States outside of Texas has been no easy task. Even though there are a hefty 53 impressive options (it was hard to get the number to an even 50!), I felt there were a handful of other places around the country that deserved shout-outs as well—thus my additional lineup of 25 honorable mentions.

I also wanted to acknowledge some joints that aren’t doing Texas-style barbecue per se but have menus worth celebrating across a variety of styles: Sonoran style, at Papalo, in La Mesa, California; Florida style, at Tropical Smokehouse, in West Palm Beach, Florida; Miami style, at Smoke & Dough, in Miami, Florida; Cleveland style, at Mabel’s BBQ, in Cleveland, Ohio (and Las Vegas); Virginia style, at County Smoak, in Lynchburg, Virginia; Chinese barbecue with Southern smoke, at King BBQ, in Charleston, South Carolina; whatever delicious stuff they’re doing at Heritage Smokehouse, in Baltimore, Maryland; and Jake Wood’s own unique style of barbecue, served only at Lawrence Barbecue, in Durham, North Carolina.

The search didn’t take me to every Texas-style joint in the country, but I did my best. Unlike the Texas Monthly Top 50 search, which includes multiple tasters and scouts, I did this one solo. Missing a few deserving spots is unfortunately inevitable, which is why I welcome your suggestions for the barbecue joints I need to add to my to-do list. I’m hoping to once again see Boomin Barbecue, in Minneapolis; Fox&Fire Barbecue, in Kansas City; and Heffer BBQ, in Chicago, serving from places of their own. I also wish the timing had worked for Crydermans Barbecue, in Cocoa, Florida, and Federal Hill Smokehouse, in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Here is my list of the best of the rest, along with my recommendations for what to order.