Where to Get the Best Barbecue in San Antonio
Delve into a world of flavors with our curated list of top-notch eateries in San Antonio, showcasing the finest barbecue delights.
Indulge in a carnivorous feast at Skinny Black BBQ & More, offering some of the best barbecue in San Antonio. Their menu boasts a variety of mouthwatering options, from the brisket dripping with juicy goodness to the fall-off-the-bone chicken with crispy skin, and the ribs are a must-try. What sets Skinny Black BBQ apart is not just the delicious fare but also the generous portions – a true haven for those who appreciate hearty, grown-man-sized food. The affordability of their one, two, and three meat plates, along with additional sides, makes it a standout choice for barbecue enthusiasts.
Smokey Mo's TX BBQ, a beacon of neighborhood barbecue excellence with 18 locations across Central Texas, has been serving the finest Texas BBQ for over 20 years. Committed to freshness, all meats are smoked in-house daily, embodying the traditional flavors of Texas. From tender brisket to signature jalapeño sausage, the menu is a testament to their dedication. Founded by Morris Melchor, aka Mo, Smokey Mo's preserves its family BBQ roots while adapting to modern conveniences like BBQ takeout and drive-thru services. Using Post Oak wood for smoking, the restaurant ensures a mild smokiness, letting the meat's true flavors shine. Beyond BBQ, Smokey Mo's actively supports local communities through various initiatives, making it more than just a BBQ joint—it's a Texas tradition with a warm welcome and a lit pit.
They pride themselves on bringing classic Texas BBQ with a “down home” market twist. Their philosophy is to smoke ‘em low and slow in our custom-made smoke pits. The process begins with a secret and flavorful dry rub and is followed by a rich smoke bath, which results in a deep charred edge and robust flavor. From inception, their goal has been to deliver perfectly smoked meats, every time. However, cooking with live fire and battling the weather makes the art of smoking meats an ever-evolving and challenging task for their Pitmasters. Whether you’re going for some of their award-winning Brisket, popular Cherry Glazed Baby Back Ribs, Smoked Turkey Breast, Chicken Thighs, Chopped Beef, or Pulled Pork, all of your BBQ cravings will be met. Their meat is sliced to order, and when it’s gone, it’s gone so go early!
Their mission is to make the best Texas barbecue in town, and this family-run spot does an incredible job. The restaurant started in 1984, but the current owner’s father ran Hal's Drive-In and Bar-B-Que at the same location starting in 1958. So, you could say barbecue runs in the family! If you’re wondering what the two Bs stand for, the answer is burgers and barbecue. That said, they put a heavy emphasis on brisket, too. While you’re here, you can wet your whistle with some cold Texas beer on tap. If you’re looking to give them a try, they’re open for takeout, drive-thru, or dine-in.
Blanco BBQ starts with the best ingredients, 100% Black Angus Brisket smoked for 14 hours, homemade Polish sausage, hand-selected pork ribs, pork butt, hams, chicken, and turkey breast. They smoke our meats with a mixture of Texas Oak and Pecan wood, and brine our chicken and turkey for 8 hours, to be super-moist and flavorful. They also make their own spice rubs and sides!
Established in 1992, The Barbecue Station is a San Antonio gem offering some of the finest barbecue in South Texas. The Peacock family, driven by a passion for authentic Texas barbecue, transformed an old Exxon station into a haven for those seeking wood-smoked meats and freshly made sides. Unlike chain BBQ restaurants, The Barbecue Station focuses on the essentials—delicious meats and scratch-made sides. From brisket and sausage to turkey and ribs, their menu features traditional favorites cooked to perfection. Step inside and let Zac, Mark, or Jay slice your choice of meat fresh off the pit.
Located in the North Hills Shopping Center, this restaurant’s name evokes everything that’s great about it. The meals are so hearty and juicy, you shouldn’t be surprised if you need a bib. While they also have catering and an event center, the focus is on their restaurant. They have a variety of options like family packages, meat by the pound, and plates with two sides. Originally a car wash in San Antonio and a one-man operation, they’ve since grown to a popular brick-and-mortar location. The Big Bib has served hungry travelers at the San Antonio airport and has a presence in the Alamodome as well as McClain Stadium at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Augie's Barbed Wire Smokehouse
This restaurant has multiple locations, but a quirky local favorite is the St. Mary's St. location by the zoo because a big pink pig sits atop their sign that’s fun for photos. While many barbecue spots lend themselves to long lines, Augie’s allows you to order online and pick up curbside. They’re most famous for their BBQ sandwiches with options like pulled pork, sausage, brisket, and more, and their combo options include fries and a drink. They’ve been serving quality mouthwatering backyard barbecue to the people of San Antonio for more than 20 years, so you can expect time-perfected recipes.
DeeWillie's loves BBQ and servicing people with good food. They proudly serve Certified Angus Beef. Pile up your plate with your choice of meat and two classic sides like mac and cheese, beans, or sweet potato casserole. Choose from delicious selections like brisket, ribs, sausage links, turkey, and chicken, or even try them all with their Texas Sample Meal!
Enjoy smoked prime meats served with homemade sides and tortillas at this old-school Texas spot. This restaurant uses 100% post oak and mesquite wood to give their barbecue delicious flavor. They make all of their meats, sides, and sauces in-house daily. You can order smoked meats by the pound, ½ pound barbecue plates, sandwiches, and sides. If you want to experience a blend of incredible tacos and barbecue, check out their BBQ tacos made on homemade brisket-fat flour tortillas.
Have you ever had a brisket grilled cheese? Well now is your chance! Not only does Smoke Shack BBQ serve the classics like brisket, pulled pork, sausage, and more, you can enjoy their frito pie topped with brisket and pinto beans, their Smoke Shack Mac, and even more barbecue creations. Don’t forget about their traditional sides like pinto beans, green beans, and fried okra.
Two-step outside of the box at this restaurant that’s a blend of Texas BBQ and Southeast Asian curry. They focus on serving unexpected flavor combinations that work perfectly together in one bowl, like their Brisket Smoke Show. This bowl features a classic smoked prime brisket accompanied by a flavorful green curry. One way you can tell that a barbecue place is going to be delicious is when their hours say they’re open until they sell out, which is the case for Curry Boys, so make sure to get there early. As they say, curry up, cowboy!
What started out as a barbecue pit and a dream has grown into one of Texas’ best BBQ joints. Grant Pinkerton prides himself on the quality of his meat and his sides, all made daily from scratch. His restaurant serves variations of his family’s recipes as well as some of his own originals. Pinkerton, with no formal training, relentlessly pursued his dream and has been recognized on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints list, selected for the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30, and won Memphis in May Beef Grand Champion in 2019. Pinkerton’s Barbecue has been featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Cooking Channel. In 2021, Pinkerton expanded, opening its second location in downtown San Antonio.
Reese Bros Barbecue offers San Antonio elevated Central Texas barbecue with Mexican influence. They offer prime brisket, pork spare ribs, turkey breast, and pulled pork with extras like homemade flour tortillas, house pickles, pickled red onions, and more tasty add-ons. They were also voted one of Bon Appétit's 50 Best New Restaurants 2022.
Grab some “barbecue con ganas”, the unique style of BBQ made by Esaul Ramos and Joe Melig at this San Antonio spot. The pair pull influence from Mexican spices and combine them with Central Texas smoking techniques to create a BBQ that stands out from the crowd. People everywhere are taking notice, and the restaurant is a two-time James Beard nominee, ranked in the Texas Monthly Top 50, called the next big barbecue joint by Bon Appétit, and included in Eater's 38 Essential Restaurants in the Nation. All that to say, they make some delicious ‘cue, so line up early to get your favorites before they sell out.
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