50 Best Barbeque Restaurants in San Antonio

“There's a lot of BBQ in Texas to choose from. I personally can't find better food and atmosphere than Reese Bros. Do yourself a huge favor and try it. The food is as good as I've ever had but their customer service absolutely sets them apart from everyone else!“

“I tried Smith’s BBQ for the first time today and it’s a bit of a mixed review. I had the four meat sampler (brisket, ribs, sausage and chicken) with green beans and baked beans. The ribs were good but not memorable and the brisket was a bit chewy BUT, the sausage and chicken were EXCELLENT. The baked beans were simple but perfect. They reminded me of a family picnic. In my opinion, the green beans were OUTSTANDING and the star of the show. Very unique flavor that hit the taste buds like WOW! I’ll definitely go back for double chicken with green beans and baked beans!“

“Amazing food. So glad we tried it.“

“OMG - this is the best BBQ ever. There were 7 of us eating tonight. The service was excelllent, the food - Brisket, Pork Ribs, potato salad, beans, creamed corn, green beans, peach cobbler and banana pudding were all amazing. They are so good I suggested they open a restaurant in Pleasanton so I could eat there every day. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. We highly recommend this hidden gem and will definitely go back.“

“🔥 Flavor: Perfectly smoked meat with a juicy, tender bite 🤤. The pulled pork is soft and full of smoky goodness, while the ribs are sweet, savory, and melt-in-your-mouth. 🥗 Sides: Fresh, crunchy coleslaw 🥬 and classic Texas white bread—perfect for quick sandwiches. Jalapeños add a nice spicy kick 🌶️. 🏆 Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authentic Texas BBQ at its best. Every bite is worth it. 💡 Pro tip: Put some pulled pork, coleslaw, and jalapeño in the bread—you’ll thank me later. 💥“

“I wish I could give this place 10 STARS!! We found this smokehouse on Google after reading an article mentioning Michelin Guide and top 50 in Texas. We made the trip, arrived just after open at 11am and there was already a line - impressive! The food was OUTSTANDING! Come prepared to want to try everything on the menu and give them all of your hard earned dollars. We spent $140 for two people because we're from Michigan and there's nothin' like this at home, but it was worth every.single.penny! We sat outside at the adorable little picnic tables, the brisket and Texas Rib was our favorite and the housemade bbq sauce went on everything we ate! Everything was amazing!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“The good: Brisket and ribs were very tender potatoe salad was good green beans were good The Bad: No inside seating, both brisket and ribs were a little dry and could of used a little more seasoning. food might of been kept warm for a bit, the reason maybe why it was a little dry.“

“exelente comida y exelente lugar, la pasamos muy padre y comimos muy rico, la atención es como si estuvieras en casa.“

“My brother, dad and I stopped in this afternoon for late lunch, it was our first time. We loved it! We sampled brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, cream corn and mustard potato salad. The meat fell off the rib, the brisket was juicy and the bark was delicious! The sausage is spicy but great tasting. The pulled pork was flavorful as well. We will definitely come back, it is outdoor seating only and there isn’t a public restroom so be prepared. It is BYOB and they do have T.V’s outside to catch a game.“

“The ribs where the best I’ve had in a long time. I also had rice, beans and Mac and cheese with jalapeño no question it was a hit. I will definitely go back again.“

“Great BBQ and Lanasha is awesome. She always greets us with a friendly smile and checks on us to see if we need anything during our meal. The only recommendation I have is that I wish they had some healthy options for sides (I.e. steamed green beans or broccoli)“

“Always passed this spot we stopped to try and me and husband loved it will definitely be our new spot for bbq“

“It was my first time. Really enjoyed the menu selections! It was very good! I will return!❤“

“First time visiting. The food was very good, and there was a nice selection of items on the menu. The location is convenient, with plenty of parking and a pleasant atmosphere. The staff was friendly, and the service was excellent. I also appreciated the convenient hours. My only criticism is that the portions were a bit small. Overall, a good experience. I'll be back.“

“Found this place while visiting San Antonio and decided to give it a try. The reviews were right: this place if fantastic! The loaded baked potato with brisket was huge! Two people could easily share this! And while sometimes restaurants will serve up large portions to make up for quality, that’s not the case here. The brisket was excellent and the potato was cooked to perfection. The ribs were perfectly done as well. Very flavorful and juicy. We also had the Mac Daddy sandwich. Another excellent choice. Brisket and mac and cheese on a grilled cheese. So tasty! The food and service were both excellent! You won’t be disappointed!“

“Best sauce in the city 🔥🫡“

“we always go here and have always been happy with our order. This time was a little disappointed in the peach cobbler. I ordered to small servings and both were filled less than half.“

“I really like when the food doesn’t need bbq sauce!“

“Always GREAT FOOD, especially their MEAT selection. Today, we had the Thursday Special. Brisket and Sausage Plate and Half Rack of Pork Ribs. All the meats were orderly cooked with plenty of smoke, AB’s plenty left over for dinner. The STAFF, starting at the cash registers are always courteous, friendly, and efficient. When you sit at a table, other STAFF MEMBERS are ready to pick up any task or plate as you finish eating. They always ask if you’re finished eating before taking the last plate away. KUDOS to staff members Michael and Justine. We noticed they spoke to customers, Thanked them for coming in, and wished people a good day. I’ll ALWAYS come to B&B Smokehouse for my OFF the PIT BBQ.“

“It was very delicious..I diffently would go again.“

“Ate there for the first time this weekend and it was so so good, they were so accommodating since we were from out of town and could not take our food to go. We will definitely be going again very soon!!!“

“We found Pepe’s on our way through San Antonio. What a find! Amazing barbacoa and tamales and the nicest service. My kids are already asking when we will return.“

“I ordered a full chicken for pickup and it was ready quickly. I really appreciated that it came already cut, which felt like a nice extra touch. The chicken was very tender and moist, and overall I really liked it. I would give it 5 out of 5, but there was an excessive amount of black pepper, which I personally do not like at all, not even a little. It would be great to have an option for people who do not enjoy spicy or heavily seasoned food. Aside from that, everything was great. I will try the BBQ next time and hopefully it is not spicy.“

“Absolutely everything is so good!!! Highly suggest you get you some!! 😋“

“Delicious Barbacoa! Staff is friendly and quick! Customer service is great! The homemade tamales here are the best!“

“all meat and very delicious“

“well there was no highlight. the food was all leftovers and it was cold. not impressed at all.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Rios Barbacoa Southtown is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with warmth and hospitality. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual meal or a gathering with friends. Now, let's talk about the food – it's simply divine! The barbacoa is mouthwateringly delicious, tender, and full of flavor. The service is impeccable, with attentive staff who go above and beyond to ensure a delightful dining experience. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Rios Barbacoa Southtown is a must-visit destination. Highly recommended!“

“incredible, amazing staff and the burnt ends are out of this world. i got a 2 meat plate with burnt ends and the poblano sausage with brisket baked beans and banana pudding. price was a little steep but with rising prices of meat it was expected. they were offering 10 dollars off any orders 40 dollars or more which absolutely helped offset the price. i dont think i could go anywhere else for bbq after eating here. restaurant was extremely clean and a good place to cool off after being out in the summer heat“

“At the corner of Hwy 181 and SE 1604 in Floresville TX sits a little shack looking like something out of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, that boasts having The Best Barbacoa in The World. We pass it twice a day and have often laughed about it. Shame on me for violating my own premise that the best food comes from the most unassuming dive joints. We finally tried it and Holy Smokin' beef cheeks, Batman. The service is good and the people friendly. The barbacoa is super tender, flavorful and moist, without being greasy. It comes with whole avocados, pico de gallo, your choice of flour or corn tortillas. If you order flour you're doing it wrong. You can optionally get it with the requisite beverage, Big Red. If you order any other drink, you lose your Texican card. It doesn't matter if you hate Big Red as I do. Go Big Red or go home. It has all the ambience of being broken down in your car on the side of a busy highway intersection, which of course is exactly the ambience it should have. They also have tamales and menudo, but online reviews suggest Larry should stick to what he does best--The World's Best Barbacoa--and leave it at that. oh...they only take cash, so leave your credit cards at home, and mindya bizness about if he reports all of it to Uncle Sam. 5 out of 5 stars 🌟“

“★★★★ El Monte BBQ is an absolute gem! The food is incredibly flavorful, with perfectly grilled meats that are juicy and packed with smoky goodness. The portions are generous, and everything tastes fresh and well-prepared. The staff is friendly, attentive, and makes you feel right at home from the moment you walk in. The atmosphere is warm and inviting—perfect for both casual meals and family gatherings. If you’re craving authentic, delicious BBQ, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommended!“

“The best loaded Baked potato“

“Caldo the best in Town Hola Sara“

“Bread loaf was delicious, macaroni and cheese was to die for just wasn’t a fan of the brisket.“

“First time here today & definitely will be going again it’s a small place but they made room for me & my family to sit down & enjoy the food truly amazing people !!! If your looking for great bbq this is the place god bless y’all“

“Very good first time it was very clean and food was pretty good.“

“Great food great service will be back“

“Texas Frontyard BBQ Catering.💯🙏❤️🇨🇱“

“Great BBQ. Great service.“

“The tamales are SO GOOD ugh I haven't had good tamales in years. These knock the store bought and the in laws' tamales out the park. They're nice and moist, not dry at all. The seasoning for the meat is great and it's a perfect ratio of masa and meat. They aren't ginormous but they aren't flat and tiny (I've had some paper thin ones before). I think they're a decent size, especially for the flavor and value ($30 for 2 dozen). Gotta try their barbacoa next time!“

“I was waiting for my (delicious fatty brisket) to-go order when a woman came in to pick up what appeared to be a pre-order. The cook politely explained that they had run out of one of the meats and, because they were unable to reach her beforehand, had substituted it with the closest available option in an effort to fulfill her order.

Despite the staff’s attempt to accommodate her, she became upset and insisted she had been told the item would be available. She demanded to speak with a manager.

Manager Liz responded immediately. She apologized sincerely, remained calm and professional, and made every effort to accommodate the customer’s concerns. Unfortunately, despite Liz’s patience and repeated attempts to resolve the situation, the customer continued to raise her voice, became verbally abusive, and caused a scene during the dinner rush while families with children and other guests were dining.

I was genuinely impressed by how Liz handled such a difficult situation. She remained composed, respectful, and focused on de-escalating the conflict even as the customer continued to berate her. It was evident that Liz was doing everything she reasonably could to resolve the issue.

As a customer waiting nearby, I found the incident stressful to witness. Listening to someone repeatedly yell at and disrespect an employee over a barbecue order was upsetting. Eventually, I politely asked the customer to stop verbally abusing the manager and making a scene because it was affecting everyone in the restaurant.

Please recognize Liz for her professionalism, patience, and grace under pressure. Employees in customer service often endure difficult situations that are far beyond their control, and Liz represented your business exceptionally well. She deserves recognition for the way she handled an incredibly challenging interaction.“

“the brisket melt is the best I've ever had!!! Definitely recommend 👌“

“Ok so this is my first time here with my girlfriend and she order the texas size chicken fried steak with mash and sweet corn and I order the 1/2 pound burger with fries overall taste was great the portions were not what they seem but tasted good the corn was a little more sweet but it was ok the manager Lisa was very accommodating but they can make the food bigger for the price !!“

“We are from Mississippi and had to go to San Antonio for work. We asked around for a good place to eat and this place was mentioned! We were so excited! It was AMAZING! The customer service was Amazing as well. Definitely recommend this place! You HAVE to have the Banana Pudding!!! Thanks y’all!“

“When I say the best I mean the best. I went there for the first for my granddaughter's high school graduation and wanted something with potatoes. The people serving me hyped up this potato and I said yes to all. This potato (The Beast) had everything Brisket, Sausage and pulled pork it was phenomenal and fed at least 3 of us. I wish I had a picture of the awesomeness..lol I went back just to say I love you guys and may I have another (to take home). Even though they were closing down and I did not live there they blessed me with another. I will be back in September and I will be back. Go try it for yourself and you will not regret it“

“Always take your receipt , yesterday me and my hubby went there for lunch , we paid , I did a custom tip and didn’t take a receipt , well now today when checking my bank account my waitress took the liberty to tip herself an extra $15 but of course since I didn’t take the receipt I can’t dispute it , so if you’re gonna eat there always take your receipt but overall the food is good“

“Great place. Wonderful people“

“There isn't just one thing about this place that brings us back.... it's the consistency of its parts! The bartenders are all friendly and knowledgeable, and honest. The drinks are better than most places. The atmosphere is relaxed and warm. It's what you would want to be doing even if it didn't exist, so having it here, in real life, makes all the more special! My favorite is TommieGirl! She rocks!“

“Ultimate 3 meat sandwich was amazing. The brisket and pork were juicy, tender, and flavorful!“

“The food was excellent, prepared & served by a most Gracious owner with kindness, humor, and expertise. Original coleslaw recipe was divine, none like I’ve ever had before. The personal attention was appreciated and the unexpected entertainment was Priceless!!! Next time I visit San Antonio I will definitely visit again. Thanks JT, TJ, I’m sorry, I can’t remember exactly what it was 😞 but thank you for such a wonderful experience.“