This post comes a bit late, but it took some time to assemble a photo collage of memorable eats. It’s only natural now that it’s 2018 that most folks reflect on the past year and compile a list of the best experiences.
While I worked hard to populate my Yelp 100 list over the course of several months, I have to credit these standout food stops for furnishing me with some of the tastiest grub of 2017.
Munay Kitchen Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken & Grill
Cattleack BBQ, a top 10 finalist in 2017’s Texas Monthly top BBQ joints, now offers an online form for pre-ordering. You can pre-order a minimum of 10lbs of meat that you can then pick up at their restaurant on Thursday or Friday only. Previously, you could call or email Misty with your order and confirm your credit card over the phone. Now there’s an additional disclaimer of “first come, first serve”. Once upon a time, the minimum was 5lbs, but with their recent addition to the BBQ royalty elite in Texas, I’m sure Cattleack will be hard-pressed to keep up with all the requests for their great barbecue!
Summertime in Texas, specifically in DFW, means all things BBQ. As a follow up their their Top 50 BBQ guide, Texas Monthly‘s Daniel Vaughn lists the roundup of all the smoked meat goodness to found in Dallas, Ft Worth and surrounding counties. Finger lickin’ good!
Sometimes sifting through the comments board of an article can be an exercise in patience, especially when filled with trolls. Often you can also dig up a gem or two from the hate speech.
Planning a road trip to Texas? Texas Monthly has a map of the 2017 top 50 BBQ joints as well as their honorable mentions!
STOP PRESS! Is it that time again??
Texas Monthly published their 2017 top 50 list of best BBQ in the state. In a shocker turn of events, Dallas BBQ darling Pecan Lodge did not place in the top 10 despite producing some of the tastiest brisket I’ve ever drooled over. Instead, the only Dallas-based BBQ joint to enter the top ranks is Cattleack BBQ. If you’ve ever stumbled over my Yelp, you’ll know that I’ve nothing but love for Cattleack’s brisket and beef ribs…but I’m utterly frustrated by their short hours and even shorter run of “boutique” specials that only folks with no working life have access to.
I am happy to report that Hutchins in McKinney still ranks in the 50, even though the Frisco location tends to bring down their overall score. I also have less affection for Lockhart Smokehouse in Oak Cliff due to the inconsistent quality of their food, and ever since Will Fleischman departed the brand. Lockhart in Plano never really matched up to the south Dallas location.
An astonishing entry on the top 10 is Bodacious BBQ, which I graded poorly during a 2012 trip to the Tyler location. Bodacious is a relatively ubiquitous chain in East Texas with a long history. Apparently a recent change in management has elevated the quality of the food, placing Bodacious among the BBQ elites in the state.
A new entry in the top 50 that has piqued my interest is Top 5 BBQ in DeSoto, though a friend knew of them during their food truck days and reported that they were just okay. Even Yelp seemed to rate the DeSoto joint only average. (Highly suspicious, Mr Vaughn!)
My personal favorites The Slow Bone (Irving) and Meat U Anywhere (Grapevine) are conspicuously absent from the list (though Daniel Vaughn himself gave Slow Bone an honorable mention). I am also hoping that Post Oak Smokehouse (Irving/Las Colinas) steps up their game (their beef ribs and burnt ends are almost there) and someday make the list. Because…really, anything is better than tourist trap BBQ, right? (I’m referring to Salt Lick of course! And Hard Eight…)
I must admit I haven’t been keeping up with Texas BBQ in the last few months, focusing more on Mexican, Korean and Chinese BBQ, if you’ve followed me on Instagram. But now that summer is here and armed with a Big Green Egg, I’m ready to get my smokering back on.
Want to know more? Check out Texas Monthly’s splashy site about the Golden Age of BBQ honoring 2017’s top ten.
