We’ve got that first-day-of-summer feeling. The sunshine smells like freshly mown grass, new citronella candles, and mesquite burning low and slow. We’re kicking off this holiday weekend with our 11 favorite Fort Worth brisket places, so shake out those red-checkered tablecloths, tear off a big sheet of butcher paper, and dig in.

Everyone knows that the blackened crust is the best part. | Photo by @brixbarbecue

Angelo’s BBQ | 2533 White Settlement Rd.

Opened in 1958, Angelo’s is your classic meat-and-three. Pair your brisket with green beans, chili, and loaded mac-n-cheese.
Monday-Tuesday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Wednesday-Satuday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que | 301 Stockyards Blvd.

Who doesn’t want a slab of meat forked straight off the smoker and dunked in a trashcan full of sauce? Or trade beef for pork and tackle one of the famous “Big Chops.”
Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. | Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Cousins Bar-B-Q | Multiple locations

Everyone’s family at Cousins, which was voted one of the 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas by Texas Monthly. Sample the works at one of their five Fort Worth area locations.
Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Closed Sundays

Dayne’s Craft Barbecue | 100 S. Front St., Aledo

Choose from fatty blackened Angus beef brisket or smoked pork belly, tantalizingly named “Bacon Brisket” — or just get both.
Wednesday-Sunday | 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Don't forget to wash it all down with an ice cold local brew. | Photo by @heimbarbecue

Goldee’s Barbecue | 4645 Dick Price Rd.

Order for one or pick up a whole brisket for the fam from the No. 1 Barbecue Restaurant, according to Texas Monthly.
Friday-Sunday | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. or until sellout

Heim Barbecue | Multiple locations

Meat on meat — the “farm to smoker” brisket is cooked low and slow over a post oak fire and garnished with bacon burnt ends.
Open everyday | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. or 10 p.m. depending on location

Panther City BBQ | 201 E. Hattie St.

Elote cup topped with brisket, cotija cheese, and jalapeños — need we say more?
Wednesday + Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Riscky’s Barbecue | Multiple locations

Stop in for a half-pound of lean brisket rubbed with the secret “Riscky Dust” or order two pounds to-go for a backyard family-sized feast.
Sun.-Mon. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sammie’s BBQ | 3801 E. Belknap St.

Order brisket by the half-pound or switch it up with fall-off-the-bone smoked ribs and onion rings.
Tuesday, Wednesday + Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Thursday + Friday, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Woodshed Smokehouse | 3201 Riverfront Dr.

Our mouths are watering for chef Tim Love’s hickory-smoked brisket served with a loaded baked potato on the riverside patio.
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. | Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.