San Antonio will be the culinary heartland of Tex-Mex, but when there’s one thing else we do superbly, it’s barbecue. From melt-in-your-mouth brisket to sausage spiked with jalapeño and cheddar; sticky ribs, and slices of moist smoked turkey and extra — to not point out the accompanying potato salad, coleslaw, creamed corn, and pickles — there’s something for each carnivore to feast on.
Throughout the Alamo Metropolis, pitmasters are quietly at work, day and night time, creating a number of the finest barbecue within the nation. From the extremely acclaimed to the brand new youngsters on the block, we’ve created a rundown of the easiest locations to get your BBQ repair in San Antonio.
Learn on, and ponder that everlasting query: Texas toast or tortillas?
Pinkerton’s Barbecue
With its downtown location, Pinkerton’s has grow to be a barbecue establishment for locals and guests alike. Brainchild of Houstonian Grant Pinkerton (Houston can also be house to the OG location, and a 3rd location rumored for late 2025), an avid outdoorsman and conservationist with no formal BBQ coaching, this restaurant has been acknowledged on Texas Month-to-month’s Prime 50 BBQ joints listing 2017-2024. Pinkerton often competes along with his group, COME AND EAT IT, on the barbecue circuit, and has received a complete host of native and nationwide accolades.
The San Antonio pit and restaurant has been open since 2021, and has proven that the hype is actual: it may well stroll the stroll, discuss the discuss, and smoke the competitors. Recognized for its Copper Creek Prime Brisket, the menu is a mouthwatering rundown of barbecue classics with a Cajun twist. If ribs are your factor, that is the place for you: beef ribs, glazed pork ribs, and dry rub pork ribs are all provided day by day till they run out. Equally, sausage lovers will rejoice on the alternative to attempt their common sausage, jalapeño sausage, jalapeño cheese, and boudin sausages; out there by hyperlink or by pound. Turkey, BBQ hen thighs, chopped pork shoulder, and an assortment of meat-filled sandwiches spherical out the menu.
To me, sides are an integral a part of my enjoyment of a BBQ restaurant. Pinkerton’s delivers right here, providing basic potato salad, tangy coleslaw, and south Texas beans, in addition to the extra sudden jalapeño cheese rice, duck and sausage jambalaya, and mouth-watering rosemary bacon mac and cheese. Should you go away area for dessert, you’ll discover riffs on barbecue classics: bread pudding, Aunt Ruby’s blueberry cobbler, and bananas-foster-pudding.
Put together for a line out the door on weekends, Pinkerton’s opens at 11am and closes at 9pm (10pm on weekend nights), or til they’ve run out of meat. Closed on Mondays.
B-Daddy’s Barbecue
San Antonio Journal and the San Antonio Specific Information have each heralded this subsequent BBQ spot as a number of the best possible within the Alamo Metropolis. You’ll have to move over to my facet of city, however B-Daddy’s Barbecue in Helotes is greater than well worth the drive.
Pit grasp B.R. Anderson stop his company job to heed the decision of the barbecue in 2012, beginning by refurbishing a meals truck along with his son Kyle so they may share the brisket that had drawn their household collectively each Wednesday night time with the individuals of San Antonio. The BBQ truck took off, and the 2 put down roots in Previous City Helotes in 2016. B.R. stays behind the grill, whereas Kyle runs entrance of home quietly and with out fanfare — although his daughter Haley is credited with the title of the restaurant, B-Daddy’s.
Contemporary from the smoker you’ll discover prime brisket, dry rubbed turkey, pulled pork, German-style sausage (common and jalapeño cheddar), candy tea glazed ribs, hen leg quarters, and my husband’s holy grail — burnt ends. Sides can be found in private and shareable sizes and really hit the spot: Mac and cheese, jalapeño cheddar creamed corn, common creamed corn, borracho beans, inexperienced beans, potato salad, and each creamy and chipotle slaws. Their meals truck roots are at all times exhibiting, and B-Daddy’s pleases the gang with BBQ tacos, nachos, loaded baked potatoes, brisket grilled cheese, and loaded sandwiches.
Closed on Mondays, they’re in any other case open day by day from 11am – 7pm (8pm Friday and Saturday) and the key is OUT! Come out to Helotes hungry, and are available early.
Two Bros. BBQ Market
Hometown hero Jason Dady has been one in every of San Antonio’s culinary success tales for years, and his barbecue providing is a shining instance of his dedication to high quality produce, onerous work, and old skool approach. He’s continuously quoted as saying that barbecue is the toughest factor they do, but in addition probably the most rewarding.
Consuming at Two Bros. is equally rewarding. With its play space and ample out of doors seating, it’s some of the family-friendly eating places in San Antonio. Park up underneath the bushes and head to the order window. Everybody is aware of you’re there for the meat, however don’t skimp on the “pickin’s” — smoked stuffed jalapeños with cream cheese and bacon, deep fried mozzarella logs, smokey spinach artichoke dip with chips, or chopped beef Frito pie. Take a crowd with you and pattern all of them! All are excellent for feeding hungry, choosy youngsters who can’t wait to hit the playground.
Now for the principle occasion: beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey, sausage, hen thighs, and cherry glazed child again ribs. My husband is a rib man and loves these! For me, Two Bros. hits the spot as a result of the sauces are simply so good, and so are the house-made pickles. On the facet, you’ll discover high quality examples of primary sides: slaw, BBQ beans, creamed corn, mac and cheese, and potato salad. The mac and cheese is our favourite, and can also be utilized in “the tacky chop” — a pint of chopped beef and mac, served facet by facet.
Not like most barbecue spots, dessert isn’t an afterthought right here: the basic banana pudding is an absolute delight (whether or not you eat it there or take it to go). There’s a revolving day by day cobbler, deep fried strawberry pies, do-it-yourself fudge, and each child’s favourite choose-your-soda float with creamy vanilla ice cream. The proper deal with to tempt them away from the playground!
Open day by day, 10.30am – 8pm (9pm weekend nights): however when it’s gone, it’s gone!
2M Smokehouse
Pitmaster Esaul Ramos and his pastry chef spouse Grecia are the co-owners — and true coronary heart — behind 2M Smokehouse, arguably the barbecue restaurant with probably the most accolades within the Alamo Metropolis. Acknowledged within the 2024 Texas Michelin Information and on the 2025 Texas Month-to-month Prime BBQ Joints listing, it’s going to be a strong selection.
Located on the decrease south east facet of San Antonio, that is barbecue with true tex-mex aptitude — from completely smoked meats to tortillas made with beef tallow, scratch made pickled nopales, and mac and cheese topped with chicharones. Alongside completely moist brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, turkey breast, and scratch made sausage, you’ll discover beef ribs on Saturdays, and barbacoa on Sundays. Their loaded tacos — along with your selection of brisket, pulled pork, or turkey topped with pickled Serranos, bell peppers, or nopales — are a strong lunch choice at $8/2 tacos a basket. Borracho beans, potato salad, and coleslaw spherical out their facet choices, and it is best to save room for Grecia’s do-it-yourself tres leches cake, flavors change day by day.
2M is closed Monday-Wednesday, open Thursday-Sunday 11am – 4pm. The hours could also be on the quick facet, however this one really lives as much as the hype!
The Barbecue Station
This San Antonio icon was born when the Peacock household purchased an outdated Exxon station in 1992 with the dream of serving nice small-town-style barbecue throughout the Alamo Metropolis. Their inclusion within the inaugural Texas information by Michelin (2024) reveals that they proceed to just do that.
The Barbecue Station menu options the entire conventional meats and facet dishes, in addition to plates and specials. You’re as more likely to meet the president of a financial institution as a development employee right here, and it stays a well-liked spot with households. And household stays at its coronary heart: Zac, Mark, and Jay serve freshly sliced meats direct from the pit to your tray.
Restaurant diners can choose from a wide range of plates (with one meat or two) and sandwiches, whereas eating households and to-go orders can be higher to buy the meat-market listing: brisket, beef and pork ribs, half chickens, turkey breast, pork loin, pulled pork, and sausage. Sides are as basic as you may get: inexperienced beans, creamed corn, potato salad, coleslaw, pinto beans, fries, and a really nice jalapeño mac and cheese. Plates embrace two sides, which implies you may combine and match whereas feeding a crowd.
Barbecue Station is unpretentious, down house barbecue. Closed Sundays, in any other case open day by day from 11am – 6pm — so go early for dinner.
Garcia Barbecue
Tucked behind the USAA company headquarters on Huebner, veteran-owned Garcia Barbecue provides a fusion of conventional BBQ and tex-mex favorites — and it’s as scrumptious because it sounds.
Open Wednesday-Sunday, Garcia Barbecue is a clear, informal and welcoming spot for a fast lunch or dinner. Meals comes out rapidly and the menu has one thing for everybody! Brisket and beef dino ribs fly out of the kitchen, joined by pulled pork, pork ribs, common and jalapeño cheddar sausage, hen, and turkey. Should you requested an everyday what Garcia Barbecue is understood for, they may rightfully reply with “smoked queso.” Strive their unimaginable signature dip with chips, on nachos, by the cup alongside their meat by the pound, or on El Jefe (brisket and sausage sandwich with bbq sauce and smoked queso) or El Patron (a beef dino rib on Mac and cheese, positioned on a bun and smothered with smoked queso).
Households love Garcia Barbecue as a result of their menu boasts a complete host of kid-friendly sides — mozzarella sticks, tater tots, onion rings, and fries in addition to a devoted menu of pint-sized treats (grilled cheese, quesadilla, and hen strips). Sandwiches and smash burgers sit alongside freshly made bbq tacos, quesadilla, nachos, mac and cheese, and corn cobs. Traditionalists are catered to on the facet entrance, too, with potato salad, coleslaw, inexperienced beans, and creamed corn in addition to jalapeño rice — which pairs completely with their brisket taco or quesadilla to share.
Truthfully, in case your mouth isn’t watering studying this, I don’t know should you can really name your self a barbecue lover. Closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday – Sunday 11 am – 9pm.
Black Board Bar BQ
The Hill Nation’s finest saved secret is out: Blackboard BBQ in Sisterdale TX is arms down among the finest locations to take pleasure in barbecue within the San Antonio space. Round 50 minutes drive from downtown San Antonio (a lot shorter if like me, you reside on the north facet), Sisterdale is a quaint historic city famed for its dance corridor — and more and more for its barbecue.
My husband and I went out to Black Board a number of years in the past and have raved about it since. Pitmaster Joe Rodriguez has a magic contact with brisket, his well-known burnt ends, pork ribs, pulled pork, two sorts of sausage, turkey, and hen. Whereas my husband loves ribs, sausage is my jam — and Joe’s garlic confit sausage is a memorable one. Jalapeño cheddar can also be out there.
Don’t skimp on the small bites and sides, in spite of everything, you’ve pushed to take pleasure in the entire expertise. Quail lollipops and truffle fries set the tone for an elevated bbq expertise — and their creamy, dreamy jalapeño slaw with jicama is likely one of the highlights of the menu. Stick round and make some area for dessert: chocolate chip and smoked sea salt cookies and Shiner Bock caramel and pecan brownies are constant choices, with a consistently altering day by day particular alongside. Blackboard serves a complete host of craft, home, and imported beers, making it an ideal spot to discover a new favourite.
Head to Sisterdale on a weekend: Thursday nights are burgers solely; open Friday and Saturday 11am – 7pm, and Sunday 11am – 4pm.
Reese Bros Barbecue
South of downtown, Reese Bros Barbecue is an informal spot serving elevated Central Texas BBQ with a Mexican affect. Should you’ve spent as a lot time at barbecue eating places as I’ve (or as lengthy menus and photographs of barbecue meats and sides), you’ll know that this succinct menu is full of delights.
From the pit, you’ll discover prime brisket with a ravishing bark, pork spare ribs, turkey breast, and pulled pork. Their housemade sausage options queso fundido, and also you’ll discover vibrant inexperienced poblano mac and cheese (with a kick), salsa naraja, and do-it-yourself flour tortillas on the menu to pair with it. Don’t skimp on their home pickles, pickled purple onions, and okra beans, which add a a lot wanted freshness to their wealthy, fatty meats. Coleslaw and potato salad spherical out their extra basic facet choices.
Reese Bros are actually doing every part proper. Their sauces are full of taste, day by day specials are creative, and their BBQ is a number of the finest worth in San Antonio — so it’s solely honest that they’ve been acknowledged as one of many Texas Month-to-month Prime BBQ joints in San Antonio for 2025. They’re open Thursday – Sunday, 11am till promote out.
Rudy’s Barbecue
Born on the northside in Leon Springs, Rudy’s is the quintessential barbecue expertise. I’ve been spoiled by the ambiance of the unique location, which has been open (and with a line out the door) since 1989, however you’ll discover three extra Rudy’s throughout city (and lots extra all through the state). Every thing from the ice bathtub of beer and soda to the pattern of their well-known creamed corn while-you-wait says down house, southern hospitality.
What units Rudy’s aside is that their pits are 100% wooden fired with oak, which burns decrease than the extra typical (albeit tasty) mesquite. With a bit extra time and their secret dry spice seasoning, their brisket at all times has a strong bark and a very good smoke ring.
Their menu choices, whether or not for eating in or taking to-go, keep on with the classics. From the pit, you may’t go mistaken with brisket, turkey, ribs — each pork and child backs — hen, and common and jalapeño sausage. Potato salad, coleslaw, beans, creamed corn and mac and cheese are their staple sides, and also you’ll discover peach cobbler and banana pudding for dessert. Household type is sort of at all times finest at a barbecue restaurant, however additionally they serve sandwiches and loaded baked potatoes. Should you’re searching for ambiance and basic bbq to entertain out-of-towners, you can do worse than Rudy’s. Open day by day throughout all places.
The County Line
The County Line hits our listing due to its nice atmosphere, but it surely undoubtedly falls underneath the identical class of Rudy’s — you can do worse, however you can do higher. There are two San Antonio places (one downtown, and one on I10 between Huebner and Vance Jackson) celebrating 50 years of enterprise this yr (2025).
Should you’re feeding a (hungry) crowd, go for the household type all you may eat choice — The Cadillac comes with 5 meats, starters, sides, and dessert; whereas the “All You Can Stand” has a formidable 7 meats. The remainder of us can select between hearty bbq platters, sandwiches, burgers, loaded spuds, and hen fried steaks; with all the perimeters you’ve come to anticipate. Their BBQ choices are fairly common, however County Line has at all times been recognized for his or her massive meaty beef ribs. If they’re out there, attempt them!
Youngsters are well-catered to at The County Line, with a wide range of youngsters plates on the menu and family-friendly appetizers (attempt the chips and Queso, fried pickles, and fried pepper jack cheese bites). Milkshakes and floats spherical out the retro expertise — and youngsters shall be awed by the large assortment of classic memorabilia dotted across the restaurant. Professional tip: skip the free bread and take pleasure in a filled with half loaf of their freshly baked loaf with honey butter.
Each places are open day by day from 11am, with dwell music on some evenings.
Although that’s the top of my listing, I need to give an honorable point out to True TX BBQ, which you will have observed arrive at a brand new or lately refurbished HEB close to you. Acknowledged by Texas Month-to-month because the Greatest BBQ Chain in Texas, they provide a variety of smoked meats by the plate or by the pound, in addition to all the perimeters you’ve come to anticipate — guaranteeing the identical high quality of meat and produce that you simply’ll discover at your native retailer.
It’s at all times the right season for barbecue, and with a variety of picky-eater accepted sides, it’s an ideal meal to share with household. I hope you’ll check out one in every of my picks, and tell us in case your favourite missed our listing!
