Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the love of barbecue. When you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, not only are you in the unofficial barbecue capital, but you have your choice of barbecue variants and restaurants to try. Whether you prefer smoky Memphis style ribs or pulled pork with a vinegar-y North Carolina style tang, you will be pleased with our selections from what locals consider to be some of the best barbecue in Dallas. Check out a few of Wildcat Ranch’s favorites below:

Pecan Lodge

For many residents here, the name Pecan Lodge is synonymous with BBQ. Since owners and pit masters Justin and Diane Fourton first walked away from their desk jobs and picked up grill tongs, locals and visitors alike have been lining up for their Texas style brisket, pulled pork and handmade sausage. If you’re lucky, they might even show you the smoker when you visit their Deep Ellum location.

Baby Back Shak

With its great food and casual atmosphere, Baby Back Shak has established itself as having some of the best barbecue in Dallas. The biggest draw for most diners is their extraordinary ribs, but nobody would blame you for grabbing a Cornish game hen or a smoked bologna sandwich either. If you ask the staff, they’ll say that the secret is in their special rub (and yes, you can buy it to bring home!).

Lockhart Smokehouse

Owner Jill Grobowsky Bergus must know what good food tastes like – her grandfather Edgar Schmidt owned the Kreuz Market, the birthplace of Texas BBQ. Her experiences with the culinary world led her to create Lockhart Smokehouse. If you are here, the shoulder clod (a leaner and beefier version of brisket) and the pork chops are must tries. You won’t want to this pass up.

18th & Vine

Chef Scott Gottlich’s 18th & Vine is a mix of a few different things. Its exterior and decor have a cute southern flair, while the menu is full of sticky, sweet barbecue delights, such as homemade sausage and burnt ends shepherd’s pie. The first floor is a restaurant, while the second floor servers as a bar and live music lounge. Dallas agrees that this restaurant is a whole lot of things in one, but a combination that works for everyone.

Off the Bone Barbecue

Off the Bone Barbecue has become a landmark in Dallas barbecue for a good reason. Known for it’s delicious smoked meats, this restaurant offers the double whammy: a casual hometown feel that steals your heart and down-home BBQ that will make your mouth water. Diners come from all over to enjoy their classics such as smoked sausage and pulled pork. Their combo platters are even big enough to feed an entire family!

When it comes to barbecue, Dallas is a cultural powerhouse. For locals here, location makes all the difference. One of Texas’ best neighborhoods is only a few minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, making it easy for folks to have the warm comforts of home and some of the best barbecue in Dallas all in the same day. Just southeast of Dallas this community is bringing a new meaning to ‘hometown living.’

Introducing Wildcat Ranch with a prime location for employment opportunities, shopping and dining. Just 20 minutes from Downtown Dallas, this community offers easy access to major roadways connected to the Dallas Metroplex. You are invited to be a part of something new in the fastest growing county in the region, Kaufman County.

Residents have an assortment of amenities at their fingertips. There is something for everyone from the Amenity Center with an expansive pool and Fitness Center, to the dog parks, and the miles of trails. There is even a brand-new school, Noble Reed Elementary, within walking distance of the homes. This is where value meets lifestyle, with homes priced from the $200’s and floorplans hand crafted for your needs. Choose from three Award-Winning Home Builders to construct your dream home; Beazer Homes, Express Homes, and Lennar. The Model Row Village is now open to tour! Discover “Life On Your Terms” at Wildcat Ranch. Join the interest list to meet the Builders.