Mac's BBQ - Dallas, Texas

Mac's BBQ
3933 Main St
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 823-0731

It's hard to say enough about Mac's barbecue.  Mac's has been serving up barbecue lunchs in East Dallas since the 50s.  Billy is the current pitmaster. His Daddy started the restaurant and Billy has been doing it old fashioned ever sense he took over after his Dad passed away.

From the moment you walk in, you know this is country barbecue.  Simple dining area, easy going atmosphere and the aroma of some of the best meat around. Billy does all the smoking, cooking and serving.

  
His brisket is tender, sausage is smoked to perfection as well as nice and firm, the ribs have this amazing smoke that is hard to beat.
 
It's hard to find a better plate of ribs out there.

 Now this is ONLY a lunch spot.  True to Texas barbecue tradition.  He's open during the week from 11a-2p so get it while he's open.

One of my favorite lunchs there is a sausage sandwich with beans and fries.

It's a plate full of heavenly delights and I highly recommend it.  The sauce is favorful with a nice bit to it.  Not to much though. It really compliments the meat rather than over shadow it.

I would put the meat in order...

Ribs
Sausage
Brisket

It's such a judgement call and if you ask me tomorrow, I'll probably flip the brisket and sausage.  They are both very good. I've even had the turkey there and it's clean, pure and smoked to perfection.  
The beans are definitely a ranch style bean.  Very good though. 

You can't go wrong with Mac's. In fact, if you get there at the right time, you just might find yourself with Billy sitting nearby talking to the customers about anything from the weather to politics.

Enjoy. 

Hard Eight BBQ - The Colony, Texas

Hard Eight BBQ
5300 TX-121
The Colony, TX 75056

http://www.hardeightbbq.com/

Hard Eight BBQ is a new voice in the world of Texas barbecue.  Family owned and individually served directly from the pitmasters themselves.  I can't speak to the other 3 locations but the one in the Colony has a labyrinthine set of stacks that deliver the smoke from the fire pit to the smokers.

 
The firepit is outside the building, however the smokers are inside the entrance area and serpentine lines allow the experience to start from the moment you walk in.  There is a bar out front so that you can grab a cold one on the way to the pitmaster.  

Based on the smokers alone, there is plenty of capacity for smoking 'cue at this location. They can really turn it out.  And from what I can see, they need to be able to in order to feed those hungry Texans standing in line for some lip smackin' good eats.

The pitmasters serve each person directly.  In addition to brisket, sausage, pork and ribs, they have rib eye, prime rib, sirloin, turkey, 2" think pork chops, shrimp poppers, chicken kabobs, sirloin kabobs, ham and more.  It's a very extensive menu.  

I stuck with the standards.  

Ribs, brisket, jalapeno sausage and bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers.  Ok...so maybe I ran the rim on the standards but I just had to try the poppers.

There are several things to like about this place.  Scale.  They know how to serve it up big and right.
Sauce is kept in a warming pot and there is spicy and regular.  They were quite different from each other.  I like the regular the best.  Pinto Beans. The beans are exactly what Texas pinto beans are supposed to be.  Juicy, think and not baked or molassesy.  They are also free and serve yourself right by the sauce and drinks.  Nice touch.

In order of preference...

Ribs - the ribs were smokey and tender.  Not much spice though.
Brisket - this is a lean brisket but very tender and tasty.
Sausage - the sausage has a good firmness to it and excellent flavor.
Poppers - the meat inside the poppers was a little dry but other than that, they were good.

On sides, I've spoken about the beans but haven't yet mentioned the jalapeno cream corn.  Well worth it.  I thought it was great.

They even have multiple options for bread.  White, wheat, a ciabatta toasted bun that was fabulous.

In summation, I highly recommend Hard Eight.  It's not top 3 but it's some of the best prepared city barbecue that you will find in the heart of Texas.

Shinerbob's BBQ - Livingston, NJ

I know...I know. I wouldn't trust barbecue that comes from New Jersey either. But, I'm not from NJ.  I'm Texas born and I've been working on my ribs for going on 20 years and it's what I enjoy doing. I just happen to live in New Jersey.

My smoker has 4 racks on a rotisserie that keeps the meat moving and cooking evenly.  The smoker came from Southern Yankee Barbecue and it's a great piece of engineering.

My ribs are pork spare ribs and are smoked with a dry rub.  With this smoker they actually don't take that long to cook.  About 2 hours.

Now these ribs aren't for the mild at heart.  They are spicy and full of flavor.  I use Cherry wood and get a good smoke ring.  The ribs are tender and full of good Texas home grown flavor.

So if you are in Livingston, NJ and find yourself with a hankerin' for some good Texas barbecue, it may not be as far away as you think.