Three years after Texas Monthly tipped its hat to Fort Worth-based Dayne's Craft Barbecue, another magazine places this bustling Aledo eatery on its list of Best New Barbecue Joints of 2024. Southern Living Magazine, who picked 22 of its favorite new ‘cue spots throughout the south, places Dayne's at the number six spot on the list.
For anyone not aware of Dayne’s backstory, this Fort Worth Magazine Best of Winner, started out in founder’s Dayne and Ashley Weavers’ backyard as a hobby. Since each batch of ‘cue the couple smoked was on point, Ashley had the idea to take this home cooked delicacy and make a business out of it.
Side stepping Dayne’s Underground Barbecue days, Dayne's eventually ended up serving its barbecue at the original Lola’s Saloon locale on West 6th Street near the Cultural District. When Lola’s made the decision to move to West Berry Street, this culinary duo jumped at the chance to move into a brick-in-mortar spot on Camp Bowie Boulevard while temporarily running out of a food truck.
However, that didn’t come to fruition. Instead, the Weavers found a spot 20 miles west of Cowtown at 100 S Front Street in Aledo.
This popular eatery boasts prime Black Angus and bacon brisket, along with handmade sausage and pork belly burnt ends (a specialty item). And don’t forget the Texas Trinity platters of brisket, ribs, and sausage links.
“Even in a state over-flowing with good brisket, Dayne’s thick, peppery slices stand out,” Southern Living writes. “Of equal note are the slabs of smoked pork belly with a crisp bark and the Fritos-pie beans—savory cowboy-esque pintos that are topped with cheese, crunchy Fritos, pickled jalapeños, and squiggles of lime-infused crema.
“In recent years, house-ground smashburgers have become staples at many Texas craft-barbecue joints, and Dayne’s crisp-grilled double-patty version (oozing with melted American cheese) is among the best around.”
Although Dayne’s was the only North Texas barbecue joint to get a mention on this list, the Lone Star State had four more ‘cue spots of note that included Barb’s B Q in Lockhart, coming in at the number two spot. Under Dayne’s was Brisket & Rice out of Houston at the number nine spot, Leroy & Lewis out of Ausitn at number 13. And last but not least was Reese Bros Barbecue out of San Antonio, coming in at the number 17 spot on the list.
According to Southern Living, these rankings were determined by Robert Moss, the mag’s contributing barbecue editor, who dined at every spot on this list multiple times.
Per the explanation of the methodology behind the creation of this list, Southern Living explained that Moss “revisits as many previous honorees and as many potential new contenders as time and stomach capacity will allow.”
Bottom line, this was a qualitative ranking based upon the enjoyment of the meal and the overall experience of the visit.
