Texans may be all about “God and country” (if by “country”, we mean “Texas”)...but there’s perhaps no religion more religiously practiced, argument more theologically debated, or tradition more ritually savored than the sweet, tangy sacrament of good ‘ol fashioned barbecue.
And in San Antonio, the debate of “which barbecue is best” is as hot as the sauce it swims in. To help you narrow it down, we’ve hustled up a list of the top spots locals love (according to reviews on Yelp, Google, and Foursquare!).
Have an opinion? Leave a comment to vote for your favorite!
Image Courtesy of Two Bros. BBQ Market
Address: 12656 West Ave
Neighborhood: North Central San Antonio
What to Taste: Brisket & Fried Strawberry Pie
Classic Texas barbecue with an old-school meat-market flavor, Two Bros specializes in cherry glazed baby back ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and smoked turkey.
Address: 1004 S Alamo St
Neighborhood: Southtown
What to Taste: The Three-Meat Special & Mac ‘n Cheese
Two Bros’ hip Southtown counterpart, B&D Ice House is all about cold beer and fresh ‘cue. Enjoy a Bruno Sandwich (brisket, mac ‘n cheese, and slaw) on the sprawling patio!
Image Courtesy of Smoke Shack BBQ
Address: 3714 Broadway St
Neighborhood: Central San Antonio
What to Taste: Smoked Chicken, Fried Okra, & Banana Pudding
A tried-and-true classic barbecue joint, Smoke Shack specializes in impeccably smoked meats, from tender lean brisket to sweet pork ribs.
Address: 7327 N Loop 1604
Neighborhood: Northwest San Antonio
What to Taste: The “Nasty Nate” Sandwich
With a near-perfect record of stellar reviews, Nelson's BBQ is universally loved by die-hard Texas barbecue fans. The most curiously delightful menu item? The Nasty Nate: a veritable “mega-sandwich” that combines brisket and mac-n-cheese with house-cured bacon on buttered Texas toast.
Image Courtesy of B-Daddy’s BBQ
Address: 14436 Bandera Rd
Neighborhood: Helotes
What to Taste: Smoked Turkey & Jalapeno-Cheddar Bun
A new edition to Helotes’ foodie scene, B-Daddy’s BBQ has Hill Country vibes and fabulous sides. Grab a local beer while you’re here!
Address: 13259 Blanco Rd
Neighborhood: North Central San Antonio
What to Taste: Polish Sausage & Pecan Pie
Smoked with Texas Oak and Pecan wood (and garnished with homemade spice rubs), Blanco BBQ has crafted the perfect formula for super-moist and super-flavorful Black Angus Brisket, Polish sausage, pork ribs, and turkey breast.
Image Courtesy of 2M Smokehouse
Address: 2731 S WW White Rd
Neighborhood: South San Antonio
What to Taste: Brisket, Barbacoa, & Mac ‘n Cheese
2M Smokehouse combines San Antonio’s two best foodie traditions: handcrafted Texas barbecue and Mexican flavors. Brisket, ribs, and smoked turkey meet tortillas and pickled nopales in this winning marriage of flavors.
Address: 114 N Weidner Rd
Neighborhood: Northeast San Antonio
What to Taste: Brisket & Black Russian Cake
A spot so good it doesn’t need advertising, Smokin’ Joe’s of Texas BBQ is a hidden gem on the Northeast side of the city offering a near-perfect sauce. And that’s saying something.
Image Courtesy of The Granary ‘Cue & Brew
Address: 602 Avenue A
Neighborhood: Central San Antonio
What to Taste: Pastrami Beef Rib Special & Bread Pudding
A “hipster” take on barbecue staples, The Granary ‘Cue & Brew features “traditional market style” barbecue for lunch, and upscale seasonal dishes for dinner.
Address: 104 Lanark Dr
Neighborhood: Central San Antonio
What to Taste: Jalapeño Sausage & Blackberry Cobbler
Touted as a “true Texas-style BBQ restaurant”, The Big Bib BBQ slow-cooks their meats for up to 14 hours every day (with aged oak and mesquite woods).
Image Courtesy of Dignowity Meats
Address: 1701 E Houston St
Neighborhood: Dignowity Hill
What to Taste: Burnt-End Melt & Pastrami Sandwich
Bringing barbecue to a new level in the up-and-coming Dignowity Hill neighborhood, this spot offers to-die-for Texas comfort food including KC brisket burnt ends, buttermilk fried chicken, and loaded baked potatoes.
Address: 5145 Fredericksburg Rd
Neighborhood: Northwest San Antonio
What to Taste: Smoked Lamb Ribs & Mesquite-Smoked Brisket
A Northwest San Antonio watering hole for 34 years, Old Smokehouse lives up to its storied name. With a brick pit and cook and mesquite flair, this spot is one of the few places in the state still making smoked lamb ribs!
Image Courtesy of King’s Hwy Brew & Q
Address: 1012 N Flores St
Neighborhood: Downtown San Antonio
What to Taste: Brisket Breakfast Hash & Smoked Brisket Torta
Marketed as “Mexi-Q” (aka barbecue with a Tex Mex twist), King’s Hwy Brew & Q offers favorites like street tacos, tortas, Mexican rice, and borracho beans.
Address: 4419 Rockdale Dr
Neighborhood: Central East
What to Taste: Pulled Pork & Potato Salad
Located in a re-imagined Sonic building, Ed’s Smok-N-Q specializes in mesquite smoked barbecue for a classic Texas taste.
Image Courtesy of B&B Smokehouse
Address: 2627 Pleasanton Rd
Neighborhood: South San Antonio
What to Taste: Brisket & Carrot Cake
This family-run barbecue hothouse has been serving up tasty dishes that have become “the pride of the South Side” since B&B Smokehouse’s inception in 1984.
Address: 1610 NE Interstate 410 Loop
Neighborhood: Northeast San Antonio
What to Taste: Mahogany-Skinned Chicken & Cobbler
This former filling station has been transformed into a barbecue haven in Northeast San Antonio, featuring wood-smoked meats & classic sides.
Which barbecue spot is your favorite? Leave a comment to make your vote!
And, if you need any other San Antonio tips (from exploring local hidden gems to finding the perfect brunch spot), we’d love to help you keep exploring SA neighborhoods.
We will warn you, though...you may just find yourself falling in love with the Alamo City. If this happens, we’ll be more than happy to connect you with a lender, provide you with exclusive resources, and show you around our wonderful town!
