Home to The Alamo and the River Walk, San Antonio has long been a top tourist destination in Texas. In addition to its rich history, beautiful parks, diverse culinary scene, and extensive nightlife, Mission City delivers some of the tastiest barbecue in a state known for its smoked meats. Although St. Louis or Kansas City may disagree, the smokehouses here rank second to none. Whether you plan to explore historical sites, move to the area, or are an Alamo City local, we highly recommend that you check out these top restaurants with the best BBQ in San Antonio, TX. 

If the brisket moves you to make a move, as we expect it might, reach out to a member of our team at AptAmigo to see how we can take the worry out of your luxury apartment search.

Related: How to Make Friends in San Antonio

Restaurants with the Best BBQ in San Antonio, TX

2M Smokehouse

Neighborhood: Southeast Side

Address: 2731 S WW White Rd, San Antonio, TX 78222

Cost: $$

Opened in 2016 by two high school friends, 2M Smokehouse‘s Mexican-inspired barbecue quickly grabbed the attention of the national and international BBQ scene. With the two-time James Beard nominated Pitmaster Esaul Ramos Jr. at its helm and his wife (Grecia Ramos) whipping up remarkable pastries, if you visit one restaurant in all of San Antonio, make it 2M.

What to Eat: 

Dry-rubbed, 18-hour Texas-style brisket is, of course, a must, as are their house-made sausages, chicharoni macaroni, borracho beans, and Mexican-style street corn. However, don’t stop there, sample Grecia’s made-from-scratch banana pudding.

Two Bros. BBQ Market

Neighborhood: San Antonio International Airport Vicinity

Address: 12656 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78216

Cost: $$

Founded in 2009 by brothers Jason and Jake Dady, Two Bros. BBQ Market serves up traditional Texas pit-style BBQ in a relaxed, family-friendly environment. The onsite playground will keep the kids entertained, the Anthony Bourdain recommended fare will keep the parents coming back again and again. 

What to Eat: 

Start with the cherry-glazed baby back ribs and brisket, pork butt, and chopped beef smothered in their espresso-infused barbecue sauce. Order some jalapeno poppers, mozzarella logs, and mac and cheese in a cup to accompany the meat. Then, round out the feast with a fried pie or two.

Smoke Shack BBQ

Neighborhood: Alamo Heights

Address: 3714 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Cost: $$

Located in the heart of San Antonio, Smoke Shack BBQ would be worth the drive no matter how far away you live. In addition to the Brackenridge adjacent establishment, patrons can also check them out at their airport location or their food truck. Good luck picking out your food, though. Even when ordering their three-meat combo, choosing what not to get feels impossible.

What to Eat: 

All of it. Succulent and tender, the brisket, sausage, smoked turkey, chicken quarters, and pork ribs are must-eats. For sides, don’t skip the bacon-topped potato salad, feta coleslaw, fried okra, and Frito pie. If you need to stop in for a quick bite only, their brisket grilled cheese sandwich will satisfy your barbecue cravings.

Pinkerton’s Barbecue

Neighborhood: Downtown

Address: 107 W Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Cost: $$

With its original location in Houston, under the experienced direction of Pitmaster Grant Pinkerton, Pinkerton’s Barbecue’s second location, which overlooks Legacy Park, quickly became a San Antonian favorite. Beyond his perfectly prepared Texas-style pit BBQ, the unique sides keep visitors and locals coming back day after day. We recommend that you grab some favorites and enjoy a BBQ picnic in the park.

What to Eat: 

Start with the candy paint ribs, prime brisket, duck and sausage jambalaya, baller rosemary bacon mac & cheese, and jalapeno cheese rice. Wrap it up with their smoked take on bread pudding.

South BBQ & Kitchen

Neighborhood: South Central

Address: 2011 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214

Cost: $$

South BBQ & Kitchen boasts the South Side’s best brisket, pulled pork, chicken legs, and pork ribs. Luckily for those north of the city, their mouthwatering fare can also be found at the Weathered Souls Brewing Company. No matter the location, South BBQ will win your heart.

What to Eat: 

Tacos made with their homemade flour tortillas stand out. The green bean and cotija cheese salad, creamed corn, borracho beans, pickled jalapenos, and pit-cooked green onions make remarkable additions to any meal.

Eat the Best BBQ in San Antonio, TX Every Week

This list provides but a taste of the world-renowned barbecue in San Antonio. Whether you are a visitor that falls in love with the smoke-infused culinary scene, a work transplant looking for some good eats, or a local simply wanting to live closer to their favorite BBQ joint, AptAmigo is here to help. We know the ins and outs of not only the city’s tenderest meats, but also its luxury apartment buildings. After a short consultation, our Locators will generate a list of apartments that fit your wants and needs. From there, they’ll schedule tours and even help you apply so that you can focus on taking your time to discover the best brisket in town.

Now, get a head start on your apartment search with our list of the Best Luxury Apartments in San Antonio.

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