“Barbeque sliced beef and bread, ribs and sausage and a cold Big Red…” ––Robert Earl Keen Jr
As July 4 is upon us once again, plenty of backyard grills and smokers are getting cleaned off and prepared for action. Growing up in what is known as the BBQ Capital of Texas, I have been very blessed to be raised on some of the best BBQ out there. Kruez, Smitty's, Black's, and the lesser known (but still great) Chisholm Trail. I am still a firm believer in the no sauce, no sides rule I grew up on. I miss the smell of those hallowed halls. A couple of pounds of meat wrapped in butcher paper is really the only request I have when my folks head this way to visit.
In Texas, if you're referring to BBQ, brisket is what comes to mind. However, the Holy Trinity––ribs, brisket, and sausage––are what most BBQ joints are judged on. There has been a lot of talk lately about the best places to get your BBQ fix. That is due in large part to the June issue of Texas Monthly that covered the top 50 joints in Texas. Daniel Vaughn, aka BBQ Snob, was recently brought on board by the publication to serve as their BBQ Editor. Daniel is the author of the excellent blog, Full Custom BBQ, and has visited countless BBQ joints in the state. His visits have been captured in his new book, The Prophets of Smoked Meat: A Journey Through Texas Barbecue, which was released was released in May by Ecco, Anthony Bourdain’s line of books.
Daniel joined us at Twenty at the Tower on Sunday for Jason Dady's fantastic meal. Jason’s BBQ restaurant, Two Bros. BBQ, provided the cover shot for the book. I got to spend a little time with Daniel and we talked about Lockhart, Snow's, Franklin's, and other lesser known places around the state.
One of the places we spoke about is located here in the Metroplex. Pecan Lodge is located in Shed 2 at the Dallas Farmers Market at 920 S. Harwood. Justin and Diane Fourton’s place is open Thu–Sun from 11 a.m. until meat runs out, which doesn’t take long. It was recognized as #2 on the list of the best BBQ spots in the state.
As I have flipped through both the Texas Monthly issue as well as The Prophets of Smoked Meat, I began to contemplate what the best BBQ joints in Fort Worth are. Two of them were recognized in the Top 50, but what other worthy joints are out there, in and around, Fort Worth? What are your favorites? Which ones does Bud Kennedy think are worth visiting? Where do I need to stop by and eat before I make my choices? Tune in next week when I uncover what I think are the best here.
