Voting ends Oct. 20, and readers can submit their votes once a day. (Inspired By Maps/Shutterstock)
Calling all barbecue lovers! How would you feel if the winner of the best Texas-style barbecue went to a restaurant that … wasn’t even located in Texas?
That’s why it’s imperative, if we want to keep our king status on slow-roasted meat, that we vote for a Texas-based spot in the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 Texas-style BBQ category.
Voting ends Oct. 20, and readers can submit their votes once a day. The 10 winners will be announced Oct. 29, and it would be a sight to see if all 10 were Texas spots.
The Texas-based restaurants competing for a spot:
- Burnt Bean Co., Seguin
- Central Texas Style BBQ, Pearland
- Evie Mae’s BBQ, Wolfforth
- Franklin Barbecue, Austin
- Heim Barbecue, Fort Worth
- Hoot’s Smokehouse, Houston
- Killen’s BBQ, Pearland
- Ia Barbecue, Austin
- Pinkerton’s Barbecue, Houston
- Two Bros. BBQ Market, San Antonio
If your Texas loyalty just isn’t enough to make a decision, check out some of these recognitions these restaurants have gotten over the years. Houston-based Pinkerton’s Barbecue is a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient and a three-time Texas Monthly Top 50 honoree. Evie Mae’s BBQ and Burnt Bean Co. both landed on this year’s Texas Monthly Top 50 top 10, with Burnt Bean Co. taking the number one spot.
Over in Austin, Franklin Barbecue has grabbed the number one barbecue spot in Texas on many publication lists, including Southern Living and LoveFood. Stop by Fort Worth to try out Heim Barbecue, where they’ve been recognized as one of the best spots in the city, and even won an award for their burnt ends.
“These 20 restaurants — nominated by a panel of experts — are independently owned and committed to the craft,” USA Today wrote on the category. “They specialize in true Texas-style ‘cue: tender brisket with a perfect bark, juicy ribs, and sausage links that snap. Classic sides like beans and potato salad round out the plate, all served in laid-back spaces where the focus is on flavor, not fuss.”
