Finding great barbecue is hard. Trust us—we once tried smoking a brisket in our apartment, and the fire department showed up. Christ knows what running a proper pit for decades would be like. Your craving for smoked meat, then, should be an excuse to indulge. And also a chance to visit spots you wouldn’t normally hit with your crew, but which you secretly love because, deep down, you’re actually a Texan who judges ribs by bark alone.
Black Diamond BBQ – McAllen
$ | (956) 484-8004 | WEBSITE
A place like Black Diamond BBQ should be saved for the serious family business. Say, convincing them you’re moving back to Texas, or breaking the news that you’re quitting your corporate gig to open a food truck. They’ll see you in your casual best and, as you walk through the door, the welcoming aroma of smoked meats will knock them for six (it used to be a family-run spot on Bicentennial).
They’ll love the friendly banter from the professional staff, and they’ll be all over the tender brisket and Texas Twinkies. Choose your moment wisely – maybe after they sigh with contentment over the baked potato casserole, but definitely before they realize how little the generous portions cost.
The Smoke Ring Tex-Mex BBQ
$ | (956) 638-7778 | WEBSITE
The Smoke Ring Tex-Mex BBQ is barbecue bliss. It’s a cozy Tex-Mex spot in Edinburg, and it’s known for its brisket, which no doubt you’ve heard is better than anything found in Chicago. The menu leans more towards authentic barbecue with standout dishes like baby back ribs and smoked brisket, but more importantly the food is perfect and you’ll be able to get a glorious meat-filled meal out of it as well. The staff is attentive and polite, and the atmosphere is awesome for a relaxing evening.
Khan’s Grill
$ | (956) 682-8881 | WEBSITE
Maybe your friends shared a post about the best barbecue spots in Edinburg, and it would be a perfect reason to bring them to this reliable local restaurant for lunch. Not just to prove you know where to find fresh, flavorful food without breaking the bank, but also because the interactive experience and vegetarian options are impressive.
You can build your own meal with the raw ingredients here, and don’t skip trying new combinations with the ingredients on the table if you’re feeling adventurous.
Smoke Crafters BBQ & Beer Garden
$ | (956) 599-9527 | WEBSITE
Edinburg doesn’t want for barbecue joints with mediocre food, but if you’re going to make it a weekend destination, the flavor should at least be exceptional. Smoke Crafters BBQ & Beer Garden delivers in spades on that front, and is the kind of lively yet welcoming kind of place that the whole crew will appreciate. You’ll get friendly service that’s also attentive for this type of spot, as well as very good homemade barbecue and Mexican-inspired dishes.
Aces BBQ – McAllen
$ | (956) 627-4648 | WEBSITE
Your folks are in town for the weekend, and you’ve taken mum and dad for a drive through Edinburg to check out the local sights. Afterwards, head over to Aces BBQ on Nolana for one of the best meals you can get in the area. They’ll appreciate the welcoming atmosphere, as well as the delicious food, and you can get a few sodas or beers out of it too.
You can eat in the main dining area or at the casual counter seating, and the menu offers plenty of options, so consider making it a reward – sorry, ‘tradition’ – for every time your ’rents come to visit.
Ace’s BBQ Edinburg
$ | (956) 513-8516 | WEBSITE
You grew up eating brisket sandwiches and mac ‘n’ cheese from a place called Big Joe’s in Houston, but since you arrived in Edinburg, you’ve discovered that there’s so much more to Texas barbecue. Ace’s BBQ Edinburg is a reliably good spot where you can treat your family to delicious smoked meats in a dining room that’s clean but not sterile, and it’s an excellent place to kick back with a few plates of brisket enchiladas and sausage tacos.
The lunch specials here are an excellent call, and the big portions are particularly good if you’re with hungry kids.
Benji’s BBQ
$ | (956) 600-7469 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving barbecue in Edinburg, there’s a decent chance you’ll hear about Benji’s BBQ from someone who swears by it. Hope you get the good version, but if you do go, prepare for a mixed bag. You’ll find some genuinely friendly staff and barbecue that loyal customers call some of the best around, alongside reports of plain food needing extra seasoning and questionable hygiene sightings. The place has had remodeling drama after a food patrol issue, so who knows what you’ll walk into.
You might leave satisfied, or you might regret dropping fifty bucks on three dishes that don’t deliver.
Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q
$ | (956) 781-8888 | WEBSITE
Rudy’s might be famous throughout Texas for championing authentic barbecue, but we all really know that the food there is meat and sides. Everyone loves meat and sides, particularly so those with young families who search online for where to feed them without fuss.
The menu stays reliably classic, but anything involving brisket or turkey is a sure bet, and you might want to order the generously portioned green chili stew if only to convince your kids to stop stealing your creamed corn every time the basket arrives. The dining room is casual and welcoming, but the drive-thru is a great option if your schedule is actually tighter than your appetite (ours definitely is).
Tortilleria El Grano DE Oro
$ | (956) 384-9007 | WEBSITE
We’re still struggling to pronounce the name of this place, which is a shame because it’s fantastic. It’s a family-run spot serving authentic Mexican food, and as you’d expect, there’s fresh tortillas, tender barbacoa, crispy chicharrones, and an exceptional selection of tacos and tamales. This is the sort of place you take your family when you want to show them what’s up, instead of settling for chain restaurant tacos.
You’ll all get a relaxed, welcoming experience without any of the typical fussiness, even if parking can get a bit hectic on weekends.
Ain’t She Grand BBQ Co.
$ | (956) 975-0778 | WEBSITE
Barbecue joints are a sure bet with families. They’re cozy and down-home, and nothing on the menu is even remotely challenging but still very tasty for the most part. Ain’t She Grand BBQ Co. is the best one we have in Donna, and it’s where you should arrange to take them lest they have a hankering for perfectly seasoned meats.
The traditional meats and sides are all excellent, and although prices are predictably reasonable, you’ll get huge portions, friendly service, and the staff will be nice to your folks. Feel free to ignore anyone’s protests that other places do the best brisket in town.
Vargas BBQ
$ | (956) 278-0094 | WEBSITE
Vargas BBQ is a no-brainer for dinner with the family. It’s welcoming and family-owned, the owners are awesome and support other small businesses, and it’s just the right amount of cozy. The restaurant has a friendly atmosphere, but you’ll still be able to hear your cousin when he raves about the brisket plate after trying the ‘bisgetti.’ The barbeque is spot-on, and just about anyone will be able to get on board with the meat plates here.