Best Fort Worth, TX Barbecue

BBQ Best Dining in DFW, Savory Texas Style BBQ

Jun 14, 2009

Lots of places in Fort Worth have a great reputation for barbecue, and seeking them out to verify the rumors was an easy task.

People, Southerns especially, are rabidly devout when it comes to their barbecue. From the way it's cooked (vinegar or tomato based?), the type of rub (if any) and what it's served with (BBQ sauce, mustard, etc.). The arguments could go on for days. Austin and its surrounding towns still offer the best in the state, but Fort Worth has nothing to be ashamed of.

Regardless of other pluses or minuses a place may offer, it can be agreed that the meat--the essential staple at these establishments--should be fall-apart tender, juicy and full of flavor. There's nothing worse than bland, chewy BBQ. Sweet, sour, tangy or spicy, what matters is that the whole package is mouthwatering. After all, who's to say which one is the best? The same dish was sampled at all five restaurants: a basic but succulent chopped beef sandwich.

All restaurants fall into approximately the same price range (dinner runs under $15 per person, with drink), and most have lunch (combination plate) specials for a little cheaper than dinner.

Possibly Overrated, Mediocre Eats

To judge from the crowds, Railhead should blow your tastebuds away. Perhaps this is the case for some of the other dishes offered--the chopped beef does not elicit such a response. The setting is decent--there are plenty of tables inside and out--it looks like a great place that could easily turn into a favorite establishment with the right favorite dish discovered. Their site boasts most favorably of the beef brisket and the St. Louis style BBQ pork ribs.

Less Than Welcoming, but With Great Eats

Angelo's has a longtime reputation around Fort Worth for having some impressive barbecue. The atmosphere and decor is also what one might expect from a Fort Worth BBQ establishment--it's easy to lose track counting the number of stuffed heads on the walls.

Sadly, it's hard to recommend Angelo's to non-natives or foreigners not familiar with chop house routine. Faced with a complete lack of attention from any waitstaff, there is little choice but to approach the counter to order, then take back to the table. This choice was met with lukewarm reception from those behind the counter. No extras were offered (including BBQ sauce!) and there was a general lack of hospitality a good BBQ establishment should have in abundance. Most of the patrons were in very large groups (and this was a Tuesday), and a single parton was apparently unworthy of service.

Having said that, the meat was still worth the trip. It would (presumably) have been phenomenal with sauce, but it's hard to say the place merits a trip back--atmosphere and service are key to a great dining experience and Angelo's did not compete, considering the multitude of dining opportunities.

Surprisingly Tasty for a Chain

One typically expects less from chains than from small town businesses, but Spring Creek will surprise you. Upon entering, the decor is forgettable and has that mass-produced air of being a chain...but the smell is savory and mouth-watering. To be fair, Spring Creek is only found in Texas (for now), and mostly in the DFW metroplex, with some locations around Houston.

The restaurant has the traditional on-line serving, making for speedy service and instant gratification. One drawback is the heavy weight the meal brings to your afternoon or evening--it's delicious but "filling" is putting it mildly. You might not want to have big plans after a meal here.

Not too Heavy, Great for Big Get-Togethers

This is one Fort Worth Bar-B-Q joint only to be found this side of the Metroplex. The best location is arguably on Bryant Irvin--it's large, with a pocket of outdoor seating, and if there happens to be a wait for the on-line service, there's plenty of interesting decor to be amused with.

Many BBQ places get carried away with declaring themselves the best, touting "famous sauces," and being too showy. Cousin's is simple in its service and presentation, with outstanding results and delicious food. There aren't specifc outstanding qualities about the food or the choices--but they're dependable and worth repeat visits. Cousin's is a great Fort Worth staple worth knowing about.

Tender, Savory Beef with Loyal Following

Technically, Sonny Bryan's is really a Dallas smokehouse--the original is just around the corner from the Inwood Theatre. But luckily, there is a Fort Worth location. This is a barbecue place that has always had a devout following, and with good reason. Tenderness is an essential quality with barbecue, and the meat here is some of the tenderest. The sides and sauce are great, but this is one of the few places where the meat genuinely feels slow-roasted to fall-apart-completion.

The copyright of the article Best Fort Worth, TX Barbecue in Southern Cuisine is owned by Margaret Burke. Permission to republish Best Fort Worth, TX Barbecue in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.