Three East Texas BBQ Spots Make Elite Texas List

(Mix 93-1)  Imagine you have the job of tasting barbecue from more than 319 BBQ joints from across the Lone Star State, then having to rank them from fantastic to superior to phenomenal! Along with some that are mediocre and downright rank tasting, too.

Well, it's someone's job. There are actually 26 people who have this dream, but extremely difficult job.

Tasters from Texas Monthly set out on a mission across Texas every four years to find the best BBQ joints. They descend upon these places that tempt our noses with that undeniable aroma of smoked goodness unannounced, unplanned, and surprise the pit master, letting them know this is the day that they are being judged.

It took the magazine's barbecue editor around 14 weeks to visit the top contenders, sometimes several visits and even more re-visits, to come up with the list of the 50 best from the 100 his tasters suggested.

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I don't envy his job one bit because I know how competitive the BBQ world can be. Pitmasters are seeking to be on this prestigious list and be named a Top 10 Texas joint.

As we host the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival each year, we see these awards on display for ourselves, as these pitmasters are extremely proud of the product they put out.

When the 2025 list was released on Tuesday, two joints from North Texas made it in the Top 10, and three BBQ joints from East Texas were named to the Top 50.

Out of the 319 restaurants, only the Top 10 receive a ranking.

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If you're ever in the neighborhood and looking for award-winning barbecue, you might want to give these joints a try.

They have been named one of the Top 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine:

Longview

Sunbird Barbecue
415 N High St - Longview
Opened: 2021
Pitmasters: Bryan Bingham, 37; Kimmy Bingham, 40; David Segovia, 57
Method: Mesquite and oak; offset smoker
Pro tip: Be in line by 11 a.m., and look out for rotating side and sausage specials.

Nacogdoches

Brendyn’s BBQ
E Main St - Nacogdoches
Opened: 2018
Pitmasters: Leanne Perkins, 27; Matthew Sorenson, 36; Brendyn Todd, 34
Method: Oak; reverse-flow smoker
Pro tip: The jalapeño creamed corn, which blends cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, and jalapeño juice, is tart with a hint of spice and unlike the traditional, sweet version—in a good way.

Sulphur Springs

Slaughter’s BBQ
Magnolia St - Sulphur Springs
Opened: 2017
Pitmasters: Norris “Moose” English, 25; Steve Harris, 57; David Slaughter, 43
Method: Oak; offset smoker
Pro tip: Go for the weekends-only brisket boudin and mesquite-grilled pork chops.