Best of Restaurant Bias - The BBQ List

I'm not a major fan of most "Best of" lists, especially when it comes to restaurants. My dislike probably becomes very apparent when it comes to the Top in BBQ lists. There are 4 styles of Texas barbecues.

• Central (dry-rub style, thought to be where Texas cue was started)
• East (tomato-based sauce marinade, slow-smoked)
• South (sweet molasses-based sauce, Mexican inspired)
• West (smoked with mesquite wood)

And most lists only highlight Central Texas-style places. That is a fact. Read this article HERE, because I am not the only person who sees it. I grew up on East Texas-style. I'm always chasing the flavor of my childhood favorite, Carter's that has been closed for almost 2 decades. (Wait! Stop suggesting that place on Loop 12 that used to be on Scyene, owned by the last said guy who cooked for the Carters. It has good flavor, but that is not what I grew up on). And as I've gotten older, I have grown to like restaurants from all 4 styles of Texas BBQ. But trust me, I won't name who shouldn't ever be on a Best BBQ list in the Dallas area. I'll just say that no spot that has barbecue sauce in a squeeze bottle on the table like the ketchup should be on there. Expensive spots ($$-$$$ instead $-$$) shouldn't only be on the list. This is not steak. Any place that doesn't have BBQ Stuffed Potatoes shouldn't be on the list. Even most people's least favorite BBQ spot (No names will be called.) has a consistent spud. How does a "Best" spot not have one? Lastly, no Top BBQ Restaurant should cut off the rib tips on Whole Slab orders. I was at a place and the cook chopped off the tips & put them in the grinder. How Rude?

My Top 3 Dallas Area BBQ Restaurants

TD's - I know folks just knew if I was going list a spot from the Oak Cliff area, I would say Records. I've never had them. I have had & like TDs. Affordable east Texas-style cue. And they have a good break, excuse me, short-end rib sandwiches.

Baby Back Shak - I never said a popular list spot was not one of my tops. I'm not against all of them. This one is very tasty. It doesn't break my bank, either. And they serve boudin (Umm, it's like dirty rice in a sausage casing). Something I discovered from my time living in Southeast Texas was having boudin as a BBQ plate side dish. Shoutout to Patillo's & Broussards.

Soulman's Barbecue - I remember when they started on Buckner Blvd in the Pleasant Grove area of town. They have grown into a small chain. Nice & Consistent BBQ. The sauce is warm. Ribs are smoked nicely. The brisket is tender. A chopped beef sandwich is delightful. And if you finish a whole potato in a single sitting, I will jokingly judge you.

Honorable Mention: Baker's Ribs

Top BBQ list makers sometimes need to leave the trendy & popular areas of town if they want some real smoke. If they look at my "tops" and click their names, they will see their addresses and visit. And I know it's not just Dallas with this issue. I see the comments on other cities' articles. We all have our opinions.

Now, what is your Top BBQ spot? Let me know. 

As Always Talking to You in Adults Terms!