$40 Brisket? Here’s Who Made Texas Monthly’s 2025 BBQ Top 10

If there’s one thing Texans agree on, it’s this: barbecue is a sacred art and we’ve all got our favorite spot that “should’ve been number one.”

The latest Texas Monthly list has just been released, naming the top 50 BBQ spots in Texas.

This wasn’t some popularity vote. Texas Monthly took the job seriously. 26 tasters drove thousands of miles across the state in the summer and fall of 2024, visiting 319 barbecue joints. That’s a whole lot of meat sweats.

"Look at those crazy brisket prices!"

They didn’t call ahead, didn’t announce visits, and as their site states, " Texas Monthly paid for all the food—including brisket at those crazy prices."

Speaking of brisket prices, the most expensive on the list was a whopping $40/lb at LeRoy and Lewis in Austin, Texas. The least expensive overall? Daisy Dukes BBQ in Caldwell serves brisket for just $17.95/lb; for comparison, the state average price for brisket is $29/lb.

So if you’ve been wondering why a BBQ plate’s starting to cost the same as your car payment, there’s your answer. But the flavor makes it still worth every bite.

Read More: LaVaca BBQ Just Cracked Texas Monthly’s Top 10: #8 in the State

 Here’s who made the cut:

1. Burnt Bean Co. – Seguin
2. LeRoy and Lewis – Austin
3. Goldee’s Barbecue – Fort Worth
4. Redbird BBQ – Port Neches
5. GW’s BBQ – San Juan
6. InterStellar BBQ – Austin
7. Dayne’s Craft Barbecue – Aledo
8. LaVaca BBQ – Port Lavaca
9. Truth Barbeque – Houston
10. Evie Mae’s – Wolfforth

Pro tip: Get there early—because in Texas, “sold out” is the sign of a job well done.