Goldee's BBQ
Again, I harken back to the old saying that everything is bigger in Texas, only this time it’s not about a sports stadium, a ten-gallon cowboy hat, or the building of some new racetrack. Instead, the sizeable object that looms big in my heart is one of disappointment and I know I’m not alone. When it comes to barbecue, Texas, and its various cities should be a contender in any category where meat is cooked with the aid of some patience, plenty of cold beer, and yes — smoke.
However, instead of at least making a good showing of national cities where ‘cue is king, Fort Worth came out at number 32. But before you throw your hands up and roll your eyes, we didn’t come out that bad considering LawnStarter ranked 500 cities total in a recent study. Still not being in the top ten gives us a bit of a bruised ego when it comes to a city whose motto is “Where the West Begins,” right?
According to LawnStarter, this list of best BBQ cities was created using five categories that include access, consumer satisfaction, competition awards, elite BBQ memberships, and hosting. The categories where then factored and weighted on a ranking list. For each of the 500 biggest cities, LawnStarter gathered data on each factor and calculated scores out of 100 points to determine each cities’ ranking. A city’s overall score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest overall score ranked “Best” (No. 1) and the lowest “Worst” (No. 500).
Using this methodology places Kansas City at the number one spot on this recent list. Memphis comes in at number two, with Houston coming in at the number three spot. Other Lone Star State mentions ahead of Fort Worth include Austin at number seven and San Antonio right underneath at number eight. Midland came in at number 12, and Dallas beat us, coming in at the number 21 spot. Coming in dead last were a series of city’s that include Auburn, Washington, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and Yonkers, New York to name a few.
Even though this ranking system has been explained, it still seems like we should’ve made a better showing nationally when it comes to the business of cooking barbecue. In the spirit of touting some of our own smoky assets, we decided to create a list of honorable Cowtown ‘cue spots that we’d put in the rink with anyone else.
Let’s break it down.
Panther City — This popular barbecue joint serves smoked meats, banana pudding, and all the fixings. At night, they become "La Pantera Tacos," serving tacos and other Tex-Mex comfort foods to curve that midnight craving.
Brix BBQ — This once popular food trailer, located in the South Main area of town became famous for its brisket smash burgers, a must have if you are a first-time visitor. Named after owner Trevor Sales’ boxer-pit mix, this spot is hopping with smoke and flavor.
Angelo’s — Countless celebrities have been spotted at this nearly 60-year-old establishment that lies halfway between TCU and the Fort Worth Stockyards. Angelo’s has been serving Fort Worth as one of the most well-known barbecue joints in the area since 1958. It serves classic plates and sandwiches all day in its laid-back, country atmosphere.
Railhead Smokehouse — Started in a renovated beer barn, Railhead Smokehouse has become a barbecue go-to for the Fort Worth community, offering everything from ribs and turkey to fries loaded with jalapeños and fried onions. And cold beer, of course.
Hurtado Barbecue — This beloved BBQ spot serves up authentic, central Texas-style ‘cue at three locales in North Texas including at 1116 8th Ave., the original location of Derek Allan’s Texas Barbecue, here in Fort Worth. This spot has garnered attention from Texas Monthly on several occasions when it comes to listing some of the state’s best BBQ.
Goldee’s Barbecue — Last, but most certainly not least, this now famous ‘cue spot located at 4645 Dick Price Road, is a must for any local foodie. Just make sure to get there early on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, because they always sell out before closing at 3 p.m. Besides being mentioned in publications like Texas Monthly, Goldee’s was also nominated for a James Beard Award in 2023. Put that in your smoker and cook it Kansas City.
