Konnichi wa / Great Outdoors

Introduction

Ah, San Antonio.

The home of the Alamo, the River Walk, and some of the best barbecue in the United States.

With so many great BBQ restaurants to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to visit.

Let us take the guesswork out of choosing the best BBQ in San Antonio.

We’ve rounded up the top BBQ spots in the city, so you can enjoy the best BBQ that San Antonio has to offer.

Watch this video on Pitmaster Esaul Ramostour of 2M Smokehouse!

Introduction to the Best BBQ in San Antonio

BBQ in San Antonio is an art form. Restaurants around the city and in downtown San Antonio have been perfecting the craft of slow-smoking meats with aged oak for decades.

Whether you’re a fan of chopped brisket, prime brisket, beef ribs, cheesy chop, smoked chicken, a brisket sandwich, sweet potato casserole, BBQ ribs, or house-made sausage, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds.

From hole-in-the-wall joints with live music to upscale eateries, San Antonio has it all when it comes to BBQ.

The city is known for its unique take on Texas barbecue. Unlike Kansas City and Oklahoma City, San Antonio restaurants are known for their use of mesquite, a local wood that imparts a unique smoky flavor.

The city is also known for its unique rubs and BBQ sauce, which are often a combination of sweet and spicy flavors.

So, if you’re looking for a unique Texas BBQ experience, San Antonio is the place to be.

BBQ is a big part of the culture in this Texas city, so it’s no surprise that the city is home to some of the best barbecue restaurants in the country.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these restaurants will provide you with a truly unforgettable BBQ experience.

San Antonio's Best BBQ Restaurants

Now that you have a better understanding of BBQ in San Antonio, it’s time to take a look at some of the best BBQ restaurants in the city.

From traditional Texas-style BBQ joints to more modern eateries, San Antonio has something for everyone. Here are some of the best BBQ spots in the city:

B&B Smokehouse

B&B Smokehouse is a family-run restaurant that has been serving up traditional Texas-style BBQ for over 30 years. The restaurant offers an array of meats, including brisket, ribs, and sausages. The restaurant also offers a selection of homemade delicious sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

The Barbecue Station

The Barbecue Station is a casual BBQ joint with a modern twist. The restaurant serves up traditional Texas-style BBQ with a unique spin. The restaurant is known for its unique sauces, which range from tangy to sweet. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of sides, from homemade potato salad to coleslaw.

South BBQ & Kitchen

South BBQ & Kitchen is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on fresh ingredients. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of house-made sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

2M Smokehouse

2 M Smokehouse is a traditional Texas-style BBQ joint from pitmaster Esaul Ramos. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

225° Urban Smoke

225° Urban Smoke is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on creative dishes. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of unique sides, such as jalapeno mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

Pinkerton's Barbecue

Pinkerton's Barbecue is a modern BBQ restaurant from Grant Pinkerton with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Reese Bros Barbecue

Reese Bros Barbecue is a traditional Texas-style BBQ joint. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as juicy brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

BBQLIFE By Chris

BBQLIFE By Chris is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on creative dishes. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of unique sides, such as jalapeno mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

Rusty Bucket Jawsmacking BBQ

Rusty Bucket Jawsmacking BBQ is a traditional Texas-style BBQ joint. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Tx Front Yard BBQ

Tx Front Yard BBQ is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on creative dishes. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of unique sides, such as jalapeno mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

Curry Boys BBQ

Curry Boys BBQ is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Zeke's BBQ SmokeHouse

Zeke's BBQ SmokeHouse is a traditional Texas-style BBQ joint. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

El Monte BBQ

El Monte BBQ is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on creative dishes. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of unique sides, such as jalapeno mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

Garcia Barbecue

Garcia Barbecue is a traditional Texas-style BBQ joint. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Grill N Shout BBQ

Grill N Shout BBQ is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on creative dishes. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of unique sides, such as jalapeno mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

Windmill Ice House

Windmill Ice House is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Jones Sausage & BBQ House

Jones Sausage & BBQ House is a traditional Texas-style BBQ joint. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

BobeQs

BobeQs is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on creative dishes. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of unique sides, such as jalapeno mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

Smith's BBQ

Smith's BBQ is a traditional Texas-style BBQ joint. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Rib House BBQ Restaurant

Rib House BBQ Restaurant is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

Smoke Shack BBQ

Smoke Shack BBQ is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on creative dishes. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of unique sides, such as jalapeno mac and cheese, potato salad, and coleslaw.

Blanco BBQ

Blanco BBQ is a traditional Texas-style BBQ joint. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

The Big Bib BBQ

The Big Bib BBQ is a modern BBQ restaurant with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant specializes in slow-smoked meats, such as brisket, ribs, and sausage. The restaurant also offers a selection of sides, such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad.

As you can see, San Antonio has no shortage of great BBQ spots. No matter what type of BBQ you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the next section and take a look at some of the different styles of BBQ.

Different Styles of BBQ

BBQ is a broad term that encompasses a variety of different styles. Depending on where you go, you might find different types of BBQ, such as Texas-style, Kansas City-style, Carolina-style, and more. Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular styles of BBQ:

Texas-Style BBQ: Texas-style BBQ is known for its use of mesquite wood, which imparts a unique smoky flavor. The meats are usually slow-smoked over a low heat and served with a variety of sauces, such as a vinegar-based sauce or a tomato-based sauce.

Kansas City-Style BBQ: Kansas City-style BBQ is known for its sweet and tangy sauces. The meats are usually slow-smoked over a low heat and served with a variety of sauces, such as a molasses-based sauce or a tomato-based sauce.

Carolina-Style BBQ: Carolina-style BBQ is known for its vinegar-based sauces. The meats are usually slow-smoked over a low heat and served with a variety of sauces, such as a mustard-based sauce or a tomato-based sauce.

Memphis-Style BBQ: Memphis-style BBQ is known for its dry rubs. The meats are usually slow-smoked over a low heat and served with a variety of dry rubs, such as a brown sugar-based rub or a pepper-based rub.

Alabama-Style BBQ: Alabama-style BBQ is known for its white sauce. The meats are usually slow-smoked over a low heat and served with a variety of sauces, such as a mayonnaise-based sauce or a tomato-based sauce.

No matter what type of BBQ you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds in San Antonio. The city’s restaurants offer a variety of different styles of BBQ, so you’ll never be bored. Now, let’s take a look at some tips for choosing the best BBQ.

Tips for Choosing the Best BBQ

Choosing the best BBQ can be a daunting task. With so many great restaurants to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some tips to help you choose the best BBQ:

Look for Quality Ingredients: Quality ingredients make all the difference when it comes to BBQ. Look for restaurants that use fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Look for Unique Dishes: Look for restaurants that offer unique dishes. A good BBQ restaurant will have something for everyone, from traditional dishes to more modern creations.
Look for Variety: Variety is the spice of life. Look for restaurants that offer a variety of different dishes, from traditional to modern.
Look for Good Reviews: Good reviews are a great way to gauge the quality of a restaurant. Look for restaurants that have good reviews from satisfied customers.
Look for Good Service: Good service is essential for a good dining experience. Look for restaurants that offer friendly, attentive service.