Round 2 of the Texas Barbecue People’s Choice Awards is complete, and if there is one thing we’ve learned so far, it’s that advancing in this competition is getting harder every week. The easy matchups are gone.
The businesses still standing have already proven they belong here.
Looking back at the results, Central Texas once again dominated with the strongest overall performance and the most votes cast. And it wasn’t even close. Which, of course, should not come as much of a surprise because for decades now, Central Texas has been ground zero of the Texas barbecue conversation, producing some of the most recognized names in the industry and helping shape what many people think of when they hear the words “Texas barbecue.”
But while Central Texas continues to impress, this competition has also proven that great pork ribs aren’t limited to one region.
In the Central Texas Final 4, it will pit Old Lion against Young Lion. #1 ranked Schoepf’s BBQ faces #13 ranked Snow’s BBQ. This will certainly be a matchup of interest, and every vote will be needed to determine the winner. However, in the other bracket, two old Central Texas football rivals will now go head to head in BBQ as #15 ranked Hecho En Texas Barbeque in Cameron goes up against #14 ranked 7 Bar Barbecue in Rockdale. These two have received more votes than anyone in the four regions. I predict these two matchups will go down to the last day of voting, I’m sure. And the winner of this matchup could possibly win the Central Texas bracket and be the eventual overall winner.
In the North Texas Final 4, it’s Grand Prairie’s #9 ranked Zavala’s Barbecue vs. #5 Evie Mae’s BBQ out of Wolfforth, Texas. Both knocked out higher-ranked businesses in the first round. In the other bracket, you have #2 ranked Panther City of Fort Worth going against #6 Cattleack Barbeque of Farmers Branch. Looking at the total number of votes cast, there is only one point separating them.
In East Texas, this Final 4 matchup again pits the new kids on the block, #1 seeded juggernaut Bar-A-BBQ of Montgomery, against the established powerhouse, #5 1775 Texas Pit BBQ out of College Station. This could easily be a fan-based vote here. The other bracket doesn’t give us a big surprise as #2 Mimsy’s Craft Barbecue & Steakhouse in Crockett goes up against newcomer #6 Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q from Spring. Both have performed up to expectations, but again, only one vote separates them in total votes cast.
Finally, in the Southwest Region, seeds #1 through #4 have all advanced to the Final 4. The first matchup features two powerhouses going head to head as #1 ranked Burnt Bean Co. of Seguin takes on #4 ranked Schulze’s Pit Room, also from Seguin. This could have some divided loyalties involved. However, name recognition could swing to Burnt Bean, but overall votes have Schulze’s with a razor-thin advantage. Tough call.
In the other bracket, well, that one is #2 vs. #3, our closest head-to-head so far. #2 GW’s BBQ of San Juan takes on #3 2M Smokehouse of San Antonio. And once again, one point separates them in total votes, making it another tough call in this Round 3 match up as well.
There are outstanding contenders left in every region, and any one of them has the ability to make a run to the finals.
Round 3 is here, and the toughest battles of the competition are just getting started. Who will you cast your vote for?
The Texas Barbecue People’s Choice Awards is officially launched! Cast your votes and do not forget to subscribe below.
Note: Anyone in the world can vote. If you have visited any BBQ location in Texas and have an opinion on who is the best, your vote counts.
