Most Texans know our barbecue traditions are more complicated than a bit of salt, pepper, and smoke, but how much else is there to say? For Austin-based food and travel writer Veronica Meewes, the answer is: a lot.
Her new 512-page book, Texas BBQ: The Art of Low and Slow, covers the subject in great detail, from long restaurant and pitmaster profiles to shorter blurbs that weave the complicated web of who's who in Texas 'cue. Gorgeous photographs round out this feast of a coffee table book.
Eleven Dallas-Fort Worth barbecue restaurants get featured in the book, including Cattleack Barbeque, Zavala’s Barbecue, Goldee’s Barbecue, Smoke-a-Holics BBQ, Heim Barbecue, and more.
This book stands out not just for its beauty — including embossed lettering and a cloth wrap that looks and feels like a high-quality denim apron — but for the depth at which it chronicles each establishment.
Big photos make Texas BBQ fun to flip through.Image courtesy of HarperCollins
Some of the most notable entries, such as Goldee's Barbecue in Fort Worth, Truth BBQ in Brenham and Houston, and Aaron Franklin in Austin, get six to 10-page spreads. Each is written in a way that the reader would understand if they simply flipped to their favorite restaurant, but during long reading sessions, bigger narratives start to unfold.
The author recounts the story of Fort Worth's highly acclaimed Goldee's, from its founders' childhoods and early work experiences to its beginnings just before the pandemic, to its Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction in 2024. There are even a few recipes, equipment, and cooking secrets revealed.
In between comprehensive restaurant histories, the author offers snippets of more general knowledge: a barbecue glossary, a breakdown of different types of wood and knives, and a profile of two popular barbecue education courses.
Since the book is organized by region — North, East, Central, South, and West Texas — it's both a great semi-personalized book for Texans who love their hometowns and a useful travel guide.
The title of this book could be a tongue-in-cheek reference to how it's written, with a clear passion for getting to the bottom of things, finding the flavor, and trimming very little fat.
Author Veronica Meewes at la Barbecue.Photo by Alex Gray
Texas BBQ is published by HarperCollins, with an original release date of November 11. It is available via the publisher for $50, or as an ebook for $34.99, as well as from other stores across Texas and major online retailers. (As of publish time, it's on sale on Amazon for $30.04.) This is Meewe's fifth book.
Here's the complete list of the Texas barbecue joints featured in the book:
North Texas
- Goldee’s Barbecue - Fort Worth
- Panther City BBQ - Fort Worth
- Cattleack Barbeque - Dallas
- Zavala’s Barbecue - Grand Prairie
- Smoke-a-Holics BBQ - Fort Worth
- Heim Barbecue - Fort Worth & Dallas
- Sabar BBQ - Fort Worth
- Dayne’s Craft Barbecue - Aledo
- Hutchins Barbeque - MicKinney & Frisco
- Lockhart Smokehouse - Dallas
- Smoke’n Ash BBQ - Arlington
East Texas
- Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue- Tyler
- 1701 Barbecue- Beaumont
- Blood Bros BBQ- Houston
- Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue- Tomball
- Bar-A BBQ- Montgomery
- Bodacious Bar-B-Q- Longview
- Sunbird Barbecue- Longview
- Mimsy’s Craft Barbecue- Crockett
- Martin’s Place- Bryan
- Khoi Barbecue- Houston
- Harlem Road Texas BBQ- Richmond
- Gatlin’s BBQ- Houston
- Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue- Houston
- Feges BBQ- Houston
- Killen’s Barbecue- Pearland, Cypress, Shenandoah
- Redbird BBQ- Port Lavaca
- Patillo’s Barbeque- Beaumont
- Brett’s BBQ Shop- Katy
- Roegels BBQ Co.- Houston
- CorkScrew BBQ- Spring
Central Texas
- Franklin Barbecue- Austin
- Louie Mueller Barbecue- Taylor
- la Barbecue- Austin
- LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue- Austin
- Micklethwait Craft Meats- Austin
- InterStellar BBQ- Austin
- Kreuz Market- Lockhart
- Snow’s BBQ- Lexington
- Eaker Barbeque- Fredericksburg
- Rossler’s Blue Cord BBQ- Harker Heights
- Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que- Llano (and other locations)
- Miller’s Smokehouse- Belton
- Southside Market & Barbeque- Elgin, Bastrop, Austin & Hutto
- The Original Black’s Barbecue- Lockhart, Austin, San Marcos
- Terry Black’s Barbecue- Austin, Lockhart, Dallas, Waco
- Distant Relatives- Austin
- Rollin’ Smoke BBQ- Austin
- Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen- Austin
- KG BBQ- Austin
- Stiles Switch BBQ and Brew- Austin
- Smitty’s Market- Lockhart
- City Market- Luling
- Black Board Bar B Q- Sisterdale
- Victorian’s Barbecue- Mart
- Viteks’ BBQ- Waco
- Guess Family Barbecue- Waco
- Helberg Barbecue- Woodway
South Texas
- 2M Smokehouse- San Antonio
- Burnt Bean Co.- Seguin
- Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que- Brownsville
- Teddy’s Barbecue- Weslaco
- Reese Bros. Barbecue- San Antonio
- GW’s BBQ Catering Co.- San Juan
- Lavaca BBQ- Port Lavaca
- Butter’s BBQ- Sinton
West Texas
- Perini Ranch Steakhouse- Buffalo Gap
- Evie Mae’s Pit Barbeque- Wolfforth (outside Lubbock)
- Brantley Creek Barbecue-
- Hallelujah! BBQ- El Paso
- Desert Oak Barbecue- El Paso
- Brick Vault Brewery & Barbecue- Marathon
Profiles:
- Daniel Vaughn
- M&M BBQ Co.
- Chief Firewood
- BBQ Confessional
- Houston Edgeworks
- Camp Brisket (at Texas A&M)
- Chud’s BBQ
- Mill Scale Metalworks
- Jess Pryles/Hardcore Carnivore
- Brisket Country
- The Sausage Sensei
- Matti Bills (Three Six General, Howdy Child)
Entrees, chips, queso, and margs at El Molino.Photo by Samantha Marie Photography
Flaming margaritas are a must.Photo by Samantha Marie Photography
The Preston-Royal location will take over the former Anchor Sushi Bar space.Photo by Samantha Marie Photography