BBQ in DFW (Houston, Dallas, Austin: best, pay, places)

[jgn2013]

Every spring and summer, I find myself with a hankering for good BBQ. Growing up, I'd go with my family to South Dallas and get some 'que from Carter's BBQ. The hot-link baskets, ribs, chopped beef sandwiches, mustard potato salad and sweet potato pie kept us coming back.

That establishment has long since closed, and I'm still looking for a suitable replacement. Can anyone recommend some places to try out? My criteria:

1.) Must have and use good sauce on the meat. The meat should stand on it's own but your sauce should also stand out.

2.) Makes good beef AND pork BBQ. I like brisket, but...what else can you make?

3.) Good sides. This can include beans, potato salad, sweet potato pie, banana pudding and mac N cheese

[bamaintex]

My favorites for brisket in order are Pecan Lodge, Hutchins, then Lockhart Smokehouse. I've tried the pork at Pecan Lodge and it's good, but not the best I've had. I grew up in pork BBQ country though (the Southeast). I don't pay much attention to the sides, but I've had good sides at all three places. My favorite ribs and sauce are still found at Dreamland in Tuscaloosa AL, and until recent years the only side they served was white bread. I've never been to Franklin in Austin, but Pecan Lodge has the best brisket I've ever tasted. For someone raised on pork BBQ, I'm a brisket convert and love a good brisket.

[LeagleEagleDFW]

Slow Bone in Dallas or Hard Eight in Coppell.

[RJ312]

I have been to Pecan Lodge and enjoyed it.

Smoke has a good reputation as well.

[Ansonyuhas]

Anyone know of any good wet bbq? I like my ribs with thick-molasses like bbq sauce on them. Most Texas bbq strictly focuses on the seasoning of the meat and could care less about the sauce.

[1908WAGY]

Originally Posted by Ansonyuhas

Anyone know of any good wet bbq? I like my ribs with thick-molasses like bbq sauce on them. Most Texas bbq strictly focuses on the seasoning of the meat and could care less about the sauce.

Sonny Bryan has good sauce in more than one variety...yes, Kansas City, and Memphis, and even Birmingham, focus more on the sauce.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Hands down, the best brisket is at Killen's in Pearland, south of Houston. Folks start lining up 40 min before they open. Only plastic utensils as the meat just falls apart.

[jdallas]

Meshacks in Garland. You order from a window and take it with you. Get there early because they sell out quickly.

[Aceraceae]

Pecan lodge brisket so dang good.

I enjoyed Off The Bone on Lancaster in Dallas.

[mikestrong]

What would be the best for the north of Dallas areas?