Dallas just wouldn’t be Dallas without its smokin’ hot BBQ scene.

We’ve rounded up a list of top-notch local barbecue spots (with all the fixins, to boot). Just make sure you get there nice and early — you know, before the good stuff sells out.

Family-owned institutions

Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse, 2202 Inwood Rd.
Billed as one of DFW’s oldest restaurants, this family-owned local staple has been around since 1910. The iconic Harry Hines + Inwood location in the Hospital District has been around since 1958, still serving that homemade BBQ sauce in heated beer bottles. Don’t miss the brisket seasoned with the “secret rub” and those World Famous Onion Rings.

A bite at Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse is always a good idea. | Photo via @sonnybryans

Mesquite BBQ, 145 E. Davis St., Mesquite
Family-owned and operated since 1959, Mesquite BBQ was established by Herbet Oyler, the inventor of the world-renowned Oyler rotisserie smoker pit. Try the sandwiches served on Texas toast, meat plates, and Stuffed Baked Potato (a menu favorite added in the mid-1990s).

Smokey John’s, 1820 W. Mockingbird Lane
This family-owned restaurant has been around since 1976 and is beloved for its hickory-smoked meats, secret rub, and Southern sides. Variety is the spice of life here — you can order everything from sandwiches and plates, to meats by the pound and catfish straight out of the fryer.

Hardeman’s BBQ & Catering, Various locations
In business for more than six decades, this family-owned spot is known for its soul food and daily lunch specials — one meat, two sides, and one corn bread for $10.99.

Smoked sensations

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Various locations
This Texas-style barbecue chain has been perfecting its slow-smoked flavors since its humble beginnings in Dallas in 1941. Today, the chain operates 15 locations in Dallas alone, and 550+ locations across the US. The brand’s Pit Masters are known for their patient approach to their craft: they smoke their meats “slow and low” for 14 hours each night.

Order your brisket exactly as you like it at Lockhart Smokehouse — the brisket tacos are a solid way to have it. | Photo via @lockhartsmokehouse

Lockhart Smokehouse, 400 West Davis
Known for its “damn good BBQ,” this spot smokes its brisket, sausage, ribs, and other meats over Texas post oak. Peep the menu and order your brisket exactly how you like it.

Big Al’s Smokehouse BBQ, 3317 Inwood Rd.
Big Al’s has been offering hickory-smoked meats since opening its first location near Love Field in 1974. The smokehouse uses only Angus beef brisket and beef ribs from 44 farms, and its BBQ sauces are expertly made to complement each and every rub used for the meats. Oh, and the pork ribs — well, they fall off the bone.

OAK'D BBQ knows how to throw it down. | Photo via OAK'D BBQ

OAK’D BBQ, 5500 Greenville Ave., Ste. 1300
Here, brisket is an art form — the brand’s variation on the classic BBQ dish is “infused with the vanilla-tinged flavor of Texas Post Oak smoke in a peppery bark.” OAK’D is also beloved for its daily happy hour deals (smoked wings for the win) and bake shop — the desserts are the perfect sweet end to a great meal.

Standout sandwiches

Slow Bone Texas Barbeque, 2234 Irving Blvd.
Enjoy daily specials like pork chops on Mondays and beef ribs on Fridays + Saturdays, or opt for a stacked sandwich on a toasted challah bun like The Pit, a mound of juicy ends and pieces. The eatery — run by longtime local Chef Jeffery Hobbs — smokes all of its meats on site daily in a smoker the staff has dubbed “Miss Jessie.”

Behold, Heim Barbecue's BBQ Snob Sandwich topped with sausage, chopped brisket, and bacon burnt ends. | Photo via @HeimBarbecue

Heim BBQ, 3130 W. Mockingbird Lane
This beloved “farm to smoker” barbecue brand began as a food truck and grew to run four restaurants across Fort Worth, Dallas + Burleson. Heim bills itself as the “original home of bacon burnt ends” but the Dallas menu is so much more than that — meat plates, burgers, homestyle sides, and sandwiches. Pro tip: Visit during “Heim Time” Monday-Friday, 2-5:30 p.m. for $3-$10 drink and food deals.

Hickory House Barbecue, 600 S. Riverfront Blvd.
Doing its thing since 1952, patrons love this longtime spot for its ribs, sandwiches, sauces, and — as the entrance sign suggests — “the best burgers in town.” The cozy setting and hospitality are also fan favorites and if you’re hankering for breakfast instead of BBQ, Hickory does that too.

The spread at Pecan Lodge — the Deep Ellum spot beloved for its brisket, pulled pork, and fried okra. | photo via @pecanlodge

Pecan Lodge, 2702 Main St.
This barbecue spot in the historic Deep Ellum neighborhood is praised for its brisket, pulled pork, and fried okra; Thrillist once cited the brisket here among the most essential food experiences in Dallas. Pro tip: If you like a little bit of everything, try The Pitmaster sandwich topped with brisket, pulled pork, sausage, slaw, sauce + jalapenos.

The sandwiches at One90 hit just right. | Photo via @one90smokedmeats

One90 Smoked Meats, 10240 E. NW Highway
This East Dallas eatery was featured on an episode of Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” where owner Kyle St. Clair’s perfectly tender brisket took the spotlight. Host Guy Fieri took a bite and said, "You don’t even need a knife; you can cut that with a bad look." Try the signature Brisket Sandwich or Brisket Taco.

Satisfying sides

Terry Black’s Barbecue, 3025 Main St.
With locations in Dallas, Austin, and Lockhart, this family-owned biz specializes in Central Texas BBQ. Order sliced brisket, pork ribs, turkey, chopped beef, sausage, or beef ribs by the pound and sides like cream corn or Mexican rice by volume. The sandwiches are also great for a quick lunch.

Loro, 1812 N. Haskell Ave.
This Southeast Asian smokehouse-meets-Texas BBQ restaurant hails from two James Beard Award winners: chefs Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin. The menu features fusion items like rice bowls topped with oak-smoked angus beef or brisket as well as the Sake Can Half-Chicken with gochujang glaze, cilantro + lime. Loro has a stellar happy hour on weekdays, 2-6 p.m. In addition to the East Dallas location, you can find Loro in Addison, Austin, and Houston.

Off the Bone Barbeque, 1734 Botham Jean Blvd.
Award-winning pitmaster Dwight Harvey’s menu is known for its famous baby back ribs, smoked brisket, sausage, pork, and smoked chicken available by the rack, pound, or whole — or in family meals and party packs. Pro tip: Save room for sides; Rose’s coleslaw, the potato salad, and the spicy fries are fire.

Smoky Rose, 8602 Garland Rd.

Located across the street from the Arboretum in East Dallas, this restaurant prides itself on its meats smoked low and slow in its wood-burning smoker. For starters, try the Brisket Queso and if you’re with a group, consider sharing a Meat Board. In the mood for brunch or happy hour? Smoky Rose offers both.

Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ, 1950 Market Center Blvd.

Come for the house-made BBQ sauces + smoked meats — brisket, pulled pork, turkey breast, sausage, and Texas spare ribs — stay for fun, cute ambience (complete with a Ferris wheel) and live music. Pro tip: Don't miss the elotes or waffle fry nachos.

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By the pound

Cattleack Barbeque, 13628 Gamma Rd.
You know a BBQ spot is legit when it’s only open a few days a week — Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and the first Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This hot spot is known for its plates, burnt ends, sandwiches, and meats by the pound and always finds its way into “best of” lists, including that time Texas Monthly named it the No. 6 BBQ spot in all of Texas. Pro tip: Save room for dessert — the signature Crack Cake is calling.

Back Country BBQ, 6940 Greenville Ave.
Whipping up Texas-style BBQ since 1975, Back Country is known for its smoked meats by the pound. If you don’t feel like sharing, opt for a BBQ Dinner (the beef brisket never lets us down) or a sandwich. The original sauces are delectable, too.

📩 Psst. We know there are so many more great BBQ places in Dallas — this is just a little sampling. If we missed your favorite, drop us an email and let us know all about it.