#1: The pinnacle of Texas-style barbecue is brisket, and Pecan Lodge does it the best. They serve beef so tender that it might just fall to shreds before you can get a fork of it to your mouth, and the simple salt, pepper, and a secret spice blend lets the high-quality meat shine through. And while brisket is the main attraction, it’d be a mistake not to try the Texas-sized (see: huge) fried chicken with crispy skin and moist meat, creamy potato salad, and mac and cheese with crunchy bacon bits.

#2: There’s no doubt Terry Black serves great brisket, ribs the size of boomerangs, and zesty jalapeño cheddar sausage. But this barbecue spot does sides and dessert like no other. Here, the cream corn has a perfect balance of spicy and sweet, with just enough capsaicin kept at bay by the cream cheese base. The smooth banana pudding is topped by a thick layer of whipped cream and gets some welcomed texture from wafer crumble.

#3: Braving traffic on the I-30 is worth it for the barbecue and social scene at Goldee’s. Both the pork and beef ribs are standouts, which are a little less smokey than other places, but they’re so big that you’ll suck on them with the gusto of a dehydrated hamster on its water dispenser. If you swing by and they’re serving the Laotian sausage, you should get an order. The hints of lemongrass and basil in the meat go well with the jeow som spicy dipping sauce and a little scoop of sticky rice.

#4: Lockhart Smokehouse is the spot for heat lovers. The barbecue sauce has a kick, the brisket coleslaw packs a punch, and even the cayenne pepper-dusted deviled eggs come with little bits of the shreddy beef. Their Oak Cliff location brings together a nice mix of the neighborhood, where white-collar workers roll up their Jos. A. Bank shirt sleeves and local regulars swap chisme while eating off restaurant-supplied butcher paper.

#5: Loro, a smokehouse from the chefs behind Uchi and Franklin Barbecue, has food you won’t find at other barbecue spots in town. They remix Lone Star favorites with Asian flavors, making tasty creations like brisket seasoned with Thai herbs and sweet-and-sour sauce. Get some of that, plus the chicken karaage and grilled zucchini that comes with just the right amount of char.

#6: Sammie’s is the place to experience a Dallas barbecue legend. Sam Gibbins Sr. used to own Smoke Pit for 56 years, serving DFW’s juiciest pork chop until closing down in 2018. He took over and renovated Sammie’s before passing it over to his son, who keeps the family legacy alive and offers the two-inch slab of meat on Fridays. This spot doubles as a second home for local dads wearing AC/DC T-shirts and arguing about Texas sports—join them for the big pork chop.

#7: Really good barbecue in Texas pops up in unlikely places—just take Qulinary Oasis for example. We’ve followed this pitmaster and his smoker all around Dallas to farmers markets, music festivals, and other community events just to get a taste of the smoked-crusted turkey leg that puts state fairs to shame. It comes in different specials depending on the day, whether it’s stuffed with cajun rice and smothered in alfredo sauce or packed with seafood.

#9: Cattleack is the go-to barbecue spot for catering large groups in DFW, so don’t be surprised if you find it at your cousin’s SMU graduation party. But the restaurant is the move for a BYOB weekday lunch (Wednesday through Friday, only) for juicy charred brisket that comes in you’ll-definitely-have-leftover portions. If you’re the designated table leader, tack on some pork ribs, burnt ends, and their deliciously-moist turkey for an ideal spread.

#10: Yes, Mo’ Bettahs is a chain, but it’s also where you can simultaneously get some of the best boneless meats and Hawaiian food in the city limits. Order the teriyaki chicken and kalua pig, both of which have a tint of smokiness that pairs well with the tangy-and-sweet signature teri sauce and creamy macaroni salad. About 20 minutes away from downtown, Mo’ Bettahs is a great option after walking around White Rock Lake or schlepping shopping bags through NorthPark Center mall.

#11: Slow Bone makes our favorite barbecue work lunch, so it’s where you (and the cubicle crowd from nearby offices) can get some quick smoked meats and a hit of 1pm barbecue sauce. They have a reasonably priced and consistent menu of brisket, pork ribs, and other expected meats, but their fried chicken is the crispy dark horse. Get it in sandwich form so you can also enjoy a nice bit of heat from chimichurri slaw and sriracha aioli.