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Austin is better for BBQ than Dallas is. Most of the gems for Texas BBQ are found in the small towns though, but if I had to pick a city in Texas that's known for BBQ, it's definitely Austin.
Austin is better for BBQ than Dallas is. Most of the gems for Texas BBQ are found in the small towns though, but if I had to pick a city in Texas that's known for BBQ, it's definitely Austin.
Best BBQ I had in Texas (after bugging numerous friends of mine who are Texans) was just outside Fort Worth. All guys in cowboy hats along picnic tables, all women serving (looked like aged strippers in skimpy MILF costumes), bail bond business cards littering the front register. It got real quiet when we walked in and everyone looked at us, but I was pre-warned. Best brisket I've ever had. However, it still doesn't touch places like Payne's in Memphis. Just my opinion. KC is too sweet, NC is too vinegary, pork is a far more difficult and transcendent meat than beef, so Memphis is the perfect middle ground for me. I have no regional ties (we admittedly suck at bbq in the Upper Midwest outside some inner city spots), I wasn't told by mama that our region was best, I just think Memphis does the tastiest pork in the country. They also kill it chicken-wise (check out Gus' Chicken for starters).
Regardless, whatever region of the South I happen to be in I appreciate the local variation.
Ive said it before and I will say it again, Dallas and the Dallas area is easily the most misunderstood food place in the country. People seem to think that Dallas is a BBQ and Tex-Mex city and this mindset is extremely contrary to the reality of the food scene here. While there are some really good Tex-Mex spots in Dallas, the BBQ here really isnt very good. All in all, if I were to break down the food scene in the area, it would look something like this:
Strengths of the food scene of Dallas and the surrounding area:
-The variety of ethnic cuisines is excellent. There is almost no region or country worldwide that does not have at least a few places to eat here in excellent and authentic quality. Granted, they arent all in the city of Dallas. Many are, but many are also in the inner ring burbs immidiately outside the city. I once had a friend from LA visit us in Dallas after visiting Austin for a few days. Shes a foodie like we are and Ill never forget her thoughts on our food: "The Indian and Korean food was top notch, but I was underwhelmed by the BBQ.". The authentic Mexican is top notch here as well.
-The fusion cuisine here is also excellent. Sometimes it goes over the top though.
Weaknesses of the food scene of Dallas and the surrounding area:
-The more traditional "Texan" cuisines are not really what Dallas does. Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio are much better for those. I always tell people the Indian food in Dallas is better than the BBQ and thats pretty true.
-The options can be somewhat spread out with the best non-Hispanic ethnic dining in the inner ring burbs and the best fine dining, ethnic Hispanic, and fusion in the city of Dallas itself.
So dont come to Dallas looking for good BBQ, but the variety of ethnic cuisines here can go toe-to-toe with most anywhere else in the US (with a few obvious exceptions).
Austin is better for BBQ than Dallas is. Most of the gems for Texas BBQ are found in the small towns though, but if I had to pick a city in Texas that's known for BBQ, it's definitely Austin.
Ive said it before and I will say it again, Dallas and the Dallas area is easily the most misunderstood food place in the country. People seem to think that Dallas is a BBQ and Tex-Mex city and this mindset is extremely contrary to the reality of the food scene here. While there are some really good Tex-Mex spots in Dallas, the BBQ here really isnt very good. All in all, if I were to break down the food scene in the area, it would look something like this:
Strengths of the food scene of Dallas and the surrounding area:
-The variety of ethnic cuisines is excellent. There is almost no region or country worldwide that does not have at least a few places to eat here in excellent and authentic quality. Granted, they arent all in the city of Dallas. Many are, but many are also in the inner ring burbs immidiately outside the city. I once had a friend from LA visit us in Dallas after visiting Austin for a few days. Shes a foodie like we are and Ill never forget her thoughts on our food: "The Indian and Korean food was top notch, but I was underwhelmed by the BBQ.". The authentic Mexican is top notch here as well.
-The fusion cuisine here is also excellent. Sometimes it goes over the top though.
Weaknesses of the food scene of Dallas and the surrounding area:
-The more traditional "Texan" cuisines are not really what Dallas does. Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio are much better for those. I always tell people the Indian food in Dallas is better than the BBQ and thats pretty true.
-The options can be somewhat spread out with the best non-Hispanic ethnic dining in the inner ring burbs and the best fine dining, ethnic Hispanic, and fusion in the city of Dallas itself.
So dont come to Dallas looking for good BBQ, but the variety of ethnic cuisines here can go toe-to-toe with most anywhere else in the US (with a few obvious exceptions).
Dallas has good soul food, and that's probably the best you'll get when it comes to traditional cuisines.
Agreed with most posters that NYC trumps everywhere. Nola was only decent in my opinion, they just throw a lot grease on everything. San Fran had good grub too!
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