Whoever said you can have too much of a good thing wasn’t talking about barbecue in Texas. During two of the hottest months in Dallas-Fort Worth, the barbecue scene warmed up with six new spots in five North Texas cities.
Moak’s Family Texas BBQ in Dallas
Moak’s Family Texas BBQ comes to Dallas’ West End from a familiar face, restaurateur Jay Khan, who now owns six restaurants in a few short blocks. He was inspired to open Moak’s restaurant in honor of his wife of 35 years. He describes Caren Moak Khan as an “all-American girl from the North” who learned to love Texas barbecue. Unlike the new-school barbecue joints that sell meat plates and little else, Moak’s also serves Texas entrees like chicken-fried steak, a rib-eye with mac and cheese, and a chicken breast with mashed potatoes. Loaded baked potatoes are an option, too.
Long-timers will remember this address in the West End as a former Sonny Bryan’s, one of D-FW’s oldest barbecue joints.
Moak’s Family Texas BBQ is at 302 N. Market St., Dallas. It opened Aug. 21, 2024.
True Texas BBQ (x2) in Waxahachie and Mansfield
When a new H-E-B opens in Texas, companion restaurant True Texas BBQ often follows. That’s the case at H-E-B’s new grocery store in Mansfield and a renovated one in Waxahachie. True Texas BBQ is known for its “aggressively priced” barbecue and sides liked collard greens, mac and cheese and serrano cornbread. While some H-E-B shoppers stop in for a meatfest before or after buying groceries, another play is to order a party pack and share it with friends at home.
True Texas BBQ in Waxahachie is at 800 N. Hwy 77 (in a new walk-up stand near H-E-B); it opened Aug. 21, 2024. True Texas BBQ in Mansfield is at 1670 E. Broad St. (inside H-E-B); it opened June 26, 2024.
Ferah Smokehouse & Cantina in Wylie
Ferah Smokehouse & Cantina is barbecue and Tex-Mex, all under one roof. Owners Burak Ozcan, Stephanie Ozcan, Jeremy Berlin and Heidi Berlin have created a menu that feels more upscale than most barbecue or Tex-Mex joints. Maybe it’s the stout cocktail selection with drinks like a smoked margarita and a Ferahjillo, a play on the Carajillo, a popular boozy espresso drink. Maybe it’s the sides that include Parmesan truffle fries or asparagus. But more likely, it’s mains like brisket chile relleno, fajitas, and chili lime salmon, which show barbecue and Tex-Mex finesse. It serves the Wylie/Sachse/Murphy area.
Update on Aug. 30, 2024: Ferah Smokehouse & Cantina in Wylie closed Aug. 27, 2024 because of a patio fire, but it reopened Aug. 30, 2024.
Ferah Smokehouse & Cantina is at 950 S. Westgate Way, Wylie.
Rollin Smoke Barbeque in Trinity Groves in West Dallas
Las Vegas franchise Rollin Smoke Barbeque rolled in to West Dallas in mid-July 2024, replacing Babb Bros. BBQ and Blues, which closed in March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trinity Groves is going through another rebirth, this time with another fleet of new restaurants and the promise for eatertainment. The Dallas barbecue joint is run by veteran John McLaurin. Beyond smoked ribs, pulled pork and brisket, the menu also includes catfish, shrimp and meatloaf. I’ve got my eye on that Southern sweet potato dessert.
Rollin Smoke is at 3015 Gulden Lane (in Trinity Groves), Dallas. It opened in mid-July 2024. The grand opening party is Sept. 1, 2024.
Brisket City Craft BBQ in Red Oak
Brisket City is an excellent name for a barbecue joint, am I right? This new Red Oak restaurant serves meat by the pound; sandwiches stacked with chopped brisket, pulled pork or turkey; and a few unexpected options, just for funsies, like a brisket cheesesteak and loaded barbecue waffle fries. The owners used to operate Boatman’s BBQ in Tolar, Texas, near Granbury.
Brisket City Craft BBQ is at 219 TX-342, Red Oak. It opened in early June 2024.
