DFW's Best Barbecue: Briskets, Ribs and Smoked Meats

This hickory-smoked barbecue is downright legendary in Fort Worth. Angelo's started serving brisket on St. Patrick's Day in 1958 along with Budweiser in cold, frosted mugs. Casual dining complete with plastic utinsils and great side dishes. Does it get any better than this? Simply put: legendary. If you live in Big D, it's worth the drive over to Cowtown.

Location: Angelo's, 2533 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107. 817-332-0357.

Welcome carnivores. This is a meat-lover's restaurant. Drop off a turkey and they will smoke it for you anytime. It's not just for Thanksgiving. Everything on the menu is super smokey and delish.

Location: 6940 Greenville, Dallas, TX 75231. 214-696-6940.

Bone Daddy's gets two honorable mentions here. First of all, you've gotta love the Beer Can Chicken. It's moist. It's delicious. It's a chicken that's been violated with a beer and smoked at 250 degrees.

 

I'm not generally a fan of Spare Ribs (I was previously partial to Baby Backs) but Bone Daddy's Spares have the perfect blend of smoke and sauce and maybe a little bit of magic in there. Check them out and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

My advice: don't wear white. #Sauced. Here is the review: Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke.

You'll recognize them by the yellow plastic cup. Dickey's has some great barbecue and I have eaten here for as long as I've lived in DFW. For something different: try the Giant Baker: an oversized potato stuffed with your favorite meats and topped with your favorite toppings. Try one with chopped beef, cheese, sour cream and -- well, the works! I love it!

Locations: There are dozens of Dickey's locations throughout DFW. Chances are there's one near you.

The ribs are dry rubbed and the brisket is out of this world.

Location: 530 South White Chapel Boulevard, Southlake, TX 76092. 817-488-1445

The name "Hard Eight BBQ" comes from a white tail deer ranch out in Brady, Texas. The owners watched an 8-point buck grow up for years and he became the ranch's mascot. They also liked to bet a "hard eight," a 4 and a 4 when playing the craps table in Las Vegas.

The winner is anyone who gets a chance to taste their delicious barbecue. It's becoming quite popular. I was so glad to find out that there's a location near my brothers office. Hello Brock? Can you deliver some BBQ please? Thanks. PS: It's your sister!

Locations: Coppell, 688 Freeport Parkway, Coppell, TX 75019. 972-471-5462
From 635: Exit Freeport Parkway before you hit 121. Go North to Bethel Road SE Corner of intersection.
From 121 toward DFW: Exit Sandy Lake and go East. Turn Right on third Street (Freeport Pkwy) and go South

A second Metroplex Hard Eight is expected to open in Roanoke by September or October 2011.

At Lockhart Smokehouse, it's so good you don't need any sauce. Three words: Kreuz Market Sausage -- served up on butcher paper. Meats are smoked over Texas post oak. Trendy Oak Cliff location. You can't go wrong here.

Location: 400 W. Davis Street, Dallas, TX 75208.

This restaurant caught the eye of the Food Network's Ted Allen. The Chopped host appeared in a Food Network's episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate and Allen named North Main BBQ as the best he'd ever tasted. I do not disagree with Ted.

Location: North Main BBQ, 406 N. Main, Euless, TX 76039. 827-267-7821

Off the Bone just sort of sums it up if you're talking about Pecan smoked Baby Back Ribs. Smoked sausage, smoked chicken -- everything is smoked and delicious. Don't miss the Boneless Baby Back Rib Taco.

Location:1734 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX 75215. 214-565-9551.

Former Dallas Cowboy and Hall of Famer Randy White (Number 54) intimidated a lot of football players in his day but he welcomes everyone to his famous BBQ joint in Frisco. You have to love a sandwich named "The Manster," which was White's nickname from his playing days -- half man, half monster. It's a 2-meat sandwich on a hogie. Like most Texas BBQ places, it's very family friendly. Check your coupon books and inserts because there are always coupons available for Kids Eat Free or buy-one, get-one plates throughout the week.

Location: 9225 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034. 972-377-0540. It's at the NW corner of Preston and Main Street. I love how he got a phone number with "54" in it.

Hosting a large party? Order a whole smoked pig. For smaller parties, enjoy excellent pulled pork sandwiches and great brisket. Their burgers are pretty good too. I wasn't really a fan of potato salad but Red, Hot and Blue made a believer out of me. It's my favorite potato salad to date! Kudos for converting me. I love it!

Locations: Dallas, Duncanville, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Las Colinas/Irving, North Richland Hills and Plano.

The word "smokehouse" says it all. They secret to great barbecue is the way it's cooked -- what type of wood its used to smoke the meat is key. Sonny Bryan's was even featured on an episode of The Originals with Emeril Lagasse.

Locations: 9 DFW locations.

Bacon-wrapped jalapenos stuffed with brisket. Brisket Frito Pie. Brisket Pizza. It's not your ordinary barbecue joint. The meats are amazing but even a vegetarian can find a fantastic meal here. How do I know this? I ended my week-long vegetarian diet by challenging myself to dine here. I was surprised at how many non-meat items were at house of bbq! Visit Trace Arnold, the Rib Whisperer, and find out what he's whispering to them!