The 2026 Texas Barbecue Top 50
Today, March 2, 2026, marks Texas Independence Day, the moment in history when Texans chose to stand on their own principles. It is fitting that on this same day, we release the 2026 Texas Barbecue Top 50. This is Texas Barbecue Independence Day. This list represents a new era in Texas barbecue recognition, built on […]
Miller’s Smokehouse Early Morning Fire.
Our prayers go out to the Miller family and their employees during this incredibly difficult time. What happened at Miller’s Smokehouse is devastating not only for the family and staff who depend on the business every day, but also for the city of Belton and the entire barbecue community that has supported them for years. […]
Sausage Sam: Honoring Heritage, Redefining Texas Barbecue One Link at a Time
There’s something special about seeing sausage links laid onto the smoker in a Texas pit house, a rhythm of sometimes hundreds of links lined up, that carries the stories of generations, grit, and the relentless pursuit of flavor. In the heart of Texas barbecue, where brisket often takes the lead, one young craftsman is quietly […]
Rita Olsen, Texas Fire and Texas Traditions
Across the United States, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day meals are shaped by tradition. Foods tied to luck, prosperity, and comfort return year after year, not because they are fashionable, but because they are familiar. In the South, black-eyed peas, beans, greens, cornbread, and pork dominate. In other regions, seafood, cabbage, or noodles […]
The 12 Days of Christmas the Stiles Switch BBQ Way
It is early, still dark outside, and the lights inside Stiles Switch BBQ in North Austin cut through the morning quiet. Legendary pitmaster Lance Kirkpatrick and his crew are already in motion, the rhythm of their work marked by the chatter of excitement, the sound of steel doors, and the steady crackle of the coals. […]
The Pitmaster’s Guide to Smoking a Perfect Brisket: The Basics
Smoking a Central Texas brisket the right way takes patience, respect, and a little stubbornness. You might think all the YouTube videos and online guides make it easy, but let’s be honest—it is not. A great brisket comes from paying attention, learning from the pros, and putting in the work. I’ve pulled tips from Texas […]
Louie Mueller’s Dragon Beast: The Cathedral of Smoke and Texas Legacy
TAYLOR, Texas—For many, barbecue is a meal, but for those who make the pilgrimage to what this writer calls “Ground Zero” of Texas BBQ, it’s because this is where tradition was refined into art, and where flavor and legend meet. A visit to Louie Mueller Barbecue is like entering a smoky sanctuary. It has earned […]
The “Who’s Who” of Texas Barbecue Online Magazine Celebrities
TEXAS – In Texas, barbecue is more than just a meal; it’s a religion with its own celebrated clergy, traditions, and devoted followers. From legendary pitmasters preserving decades of heritage to influential chefs pioneering new techniques, a new pantheon of barbecue royalty has risen. This “Who’s Who” honors the influential pitmasters, competition champions, and innovators […]
Smoke, Steel, and the Taste of Texas: The Story of 1836 Smokers
By Guest Contributor Eddie Allison, Founder of 1836 Smokers When you fire up an 1836 pit, you’re doing more than cooking meat; you’re waking up a tradition that’s been seasoning the air in Texas since the day the Republic was born. I imagine Sam Houston mopping sauce over a slab of beef after San Jacinto, […]
Let Freedom Roll: Texas Passes Game-Changing Food Truck Law
In a major win for food truck and food trailer operators across the Lone Star State, the Texas Legislature has passed House Bill 2844, commonly known as the Food Truck Freedom Bill. This is good common-sense legislation, long overdue. Signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2025, and it officially took effect on […]