BBQ News

YouTube star ranks Farmers Branch BBQ joint one of the best in Texas

Cattleack Barbeque

Cattleack

Dallas-Fort Worth has some of the best barbecue restaurants in the state of Texas right now, and that fact has received another confirmation, this time from a YouTube star.

Joshua Weissman is a chef-turned-YouTuber who recently went on a statewide expedition to try some of Texas Monthly's best barbecue restaurants. His conclusion: The best Texas barbecue can be found in DFW.

While many may snub the idea of "just another YouTuber" reviewing Texas barbecue joints, Weissman cut his teeth working in the restaurant industry, and was once the lead cook at Uchiko in Austin. His YouTube channel has amassed over 10 million subscribers, and he's written two New York Times Bestselling cookbooks.

Using Texas Monthly's 2021 list (the newest edition will be released later this year) as his guide, Weissman documented his journey alongside new Texas resident and private chef Olivia Tiedemann. The duo also visited the four Texas barbecue restaurants that recently earned Michelin Stars.

Four BBQ in DFW
Weissman ranked Goldee's Barbecue in Fort Worth the highest on the list out of the 17 total Texas barbecue restaurants he visited. He even invited Texas Monthly's Dallas-based barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn to join him during their tasting (which was their final stop on their journey) who had rated this hometown staple No. 1 in 2021.

Weissman had nothing but good things to say about Goldee's classic side dishes and its brisket, giving them 9.5 points (out of 10) for sides, and 29.2 points out of 30 for the brisket.

"The [brisket] seasoning is ridiculous, it's exactly where it should be," he said. "It's got the smoke flavor I want, but it's not overwhelmingly smoky. This is worth traveling back for."

Goldee's Barbecue BBQ tray Goldee's BBQ in Fort Worth has earned loads of acclaim. Photo by Joey Garcia

Coming in a close second in DFW was Cattleack Barbeque in Farmers Branch, which received 28.3 points for brisket, and 9.5 points for its sides. In 2021, Texas Monthly ranked Cattleack the No. 6 best barbecue in the state.

Cattleack's side dishes – Hatch chili mac & cheese, Granny's coleslaw, potato salad, and burnt end beans – were exceptionally elevated versions of classic barbecue sides, according to Weissman. Tiedemann was thrilled with the creamy texture, and cheesy flavor of the mac and cheese.

But it was Cattleack's Japanese-American hybrid Texas wagyu brisket that stole the show. Both the lean and fatty brisket earned high praise (and high rankings) across all three categories from both judges.

"As a whole, [Cattleack] is where I'd probably come back to and be like, 'This was the complete barbecue experience that was my favorite so far,'" Tiedemann said.

The two other DFW barbecue restaurants that made the cut were both in the Fort Worth area:

Panther City BBQ, Fort Worth
Brisket score: 19 points (7 for flavor; 5 for texture; 7 for salt level)
Sides: 8.5 points

Weissman said all of Panther City's classic side dishes were "very solid" but the borracho beans were a standout choice out of the four. As for the brisket, he was unimpressed with the lean's salt level, but he did mention its flavor was unique and had "a little heat." But he was disappointed in its texture.

"Sadly, the lean was probably one of the driest I think I've ever had, and we really didn't love how thick it was cut," he said.

Dayne's Craft BBQ, Aledo
Brisket score: 25 points (8 for flavor; 8 for texture; 9 for salt level)
Sides: 8 points

Weissman praised Dayne's brisket for its deep smokiness and saltiness, but Tiedemann wasn't as much of a fan of the classic smoke flavor. The brisket's only shortcoming was its texture, as it had a "heavily unrendered fat cap."

Dayne's apple slaw was the most surprising (yet tasty) side dish they tried, but Weissman said the Frito pie baked beans were the best he's had on their entire barbecue journey.

The rest of Texas

Other Texas barbecue restaurants Weissman visited, with his ratings, include:

Burnt Bean Company, Seguin – 28.4 points for brisket, 8.7 points for sides
2M Smokehouse, San Antonio – 24.8 for brisket, 8 for sides
Franklin Barbecue, Austin – 26.5 for brisket, 5 for sides
Interstellar Barbecue, Austin – 26.9 for brisket, 9.3 for sides
La Barbecue, Austin – 25.5 for brisket, 8.8 for sides
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, Austin – 28.8 for brisket, no score for non-traditional sides
Terry Black's BBQ, Austin – 24 for brisket, 6.5 for sides
Snow's BBQ, Lexington – 27.2 for brisket, 8.7 for sides
Louie Mueller, Taylor – 24.8 for brisket, 5 for sides
CorkScrew BBQ, Spring – 24 for brisket, 7 for sides
Truth BBQ, Houston – 27 for brisket, 7.5 for sides
Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue, Tomball – 20 for brisket, 6.5 for sides
Evie Mae's, Wolfforth – 25.5 for brisket, 6 for sides

barbecue restaurants texas bbq fort worth lists

H-E-B opening

H-E-B's first Dallas County grocery store makes grand debut in Irving

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

H-E-B has opened at 2351 West Interstate 635, Irving.

The ribbon has been cut, and dinner is being purchased at the long-anticipated new H-E-B store in Irving. The Texas grocery chain officially opened the doors to the supermarket, at 2351 West Interstate 635, at 6 am Wednesday, June 17.

The store, the first H-E-B in Dallas County, is technically in Irving but is also convenient to Las Colinas neighborhoods, Coppell, Grapevine, West Dallas, and DFW Airport. Irving is also home to a location of Joe V's Smart Shop by H-E-B, a spinoff H-E-B concept, at 2407 W. Airport Fwy.

“We’re honored to open our doors to this wonderful community, where our committed H-E-B Partners are ready to earn the loyalty and confidence of local families,” says Juan-Carlos Rück, an H-E-B executive vice president, in a release. “We are eager to provide our customers in the Irving area with quality service and an outstanding selection of H-E-B favorites and flavors from around the world.”

A look around
The massive 112,000-square-foot store features not only groceries and home essentials but a True Texas BBQ restaurant with drive-thru, H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery services with a large Curbside parking area, and full-service H-E-B Pharmacy with drive-thru.

Additional highlights include an expanded hot food offerings with several breakfast, lunch, and dinner options; a Meal Simple section plus Asian grill items such as rice and noodle bowls, True Texas BBQ favorites, True Texas Boil House seafood selections, hot soups, and bakery goods.

Specific to the Irving store, H-E-B has introduced Masala House, described as "an H-E-B product line that offers customers meal options made in-house daily such as chicken masala, butter chicken, naan bread, chutney dips, and more." There's also an international assortment of rice, lentils, and specialty items from Central America, Latin America, Britain, and Asia.

"Inside and out, the new store reflects the unique character of the Irving community," says the release.

H-E-B South Asian foods There's a special emphasis on South Asian foods at the Irving H-E-B.Photo courtesy of H-E-B

Like in other H-E-B stores, the Irving location offers:

Bakery with artisan breads, cakes, warm tortillas, and vegan options made fresh daily
Deli featuring an extensive cheese selection and charcuterie island
Sushiya with fresh-made sushi and an Asian grill serving rice bowls, teriyaki, and more
H-E-B Meal Simple chef-inspired meals prepared in store
Cooking Connection with live demos, samples, and easy recipe ideas
Produce department with large organic and Texas-grown selections
Meat market featuring Prime, natural, organic, and Wagyu meats, plus ready-to-eat options
Blooms floral department with online ordering and delivery
Extensive beer and wine selection with a tasting station
Healthy Living department with bulk foods, sports nutrition products, and supplements
Expanded frozen foods selection
Beauty department with cosmetics and personal care essentials
Pet department featuring Heritage Ranch by H-E-B food, treats, and toys
Household Essentials department with tableware, storage products, and Texas Tough items

The store opened at 6 am June 17 with fanfare that included H-E-B and community leaders, plus Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders - essential for any opening worth its salt in DFW. The company also presented checks totaling $40,000 for Irving-based nonprofits including Irving Family Advocacy Center, Level Pathways, Coppell ISD Education Foundation, and the Canine Companions.

H-E-B Irving The Irving store is just off 635, convenient to Grapevine, Coppell, DFW Airport, and West Dallas.Photo courtesy of H-E-B

First announced in August 2024, the Irving store is the latest in the San Antonio-based grocer's march across Dallas-Fort Worth. It is the second DFW opening in a month, following the H-E-B Midcities store in Euless on May 20.

H-E-B has also unveiled plans for stores in Garland, Murphy, Walsh Ranch, Carrollton, and Denton. H-E-B owns land in Dallas at Hillcrest Road and LBJ Freeway, the site will be the company’s first H-E-B store in the city of Dallas.

The Irving H-E-B store is open daily 6 am-11 pm.

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