While Texas barbecue is sacred and pitmasters are revered, the Lone Star State’s culinary scene isn’t strictly for purists. Instead, there’s a wildly creative bent when it comes to many barbecue spots across the state, where unexpected and classic flavors blend in mind-bending, palate-pleasing ways.
Below, we tuck into some of the most exciting and unusual mashups we’ve found while tasting across Texas.
Africa Meets Texas
Distant Relatives, Austin
This food truck at Meanwhile Brewing was recently awarded a Bib Gourmand, a MICHELIN Guide distinction best known for providing good food at a good value. Chef Damien Brockway works in hits West African and Virginia roots on this menu. Everything from the spices and sauces to the sides reflects that heritage.
Smoke’N Ash, Arlington (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
Opened in 2018 by a Texan and Ethiopian husband and wife, Smoke’n Ash adds Ethiopian spices to their blend to create their singular “Tex-Ethiopian barbecue.” There are also plenty of dishes that most don’t necessarily associate with a barbecue spot, including collard greens, awaze glazed offerings, pilaf rice, fried okra, as well as Ethiopian stews.
Asian Fusion
Blood Bros. BBQ, Bellaire (Houston)
Houston is well known for its diverse Asian population and here in this one spot, there’s a tidy cultural fusion. Brothers Robin and Terry Wong showcase their Chinese heritage and pitmaster Quy Hoang displays his Vietnamese roots while also working in Korean flavors.
brisket and Rice, Houston
Chef-owner Hong Tran grew up in Texas with a Vietnamese mother who would often combine brisket with rice. That melding of cultures inspired a hobby that grew into this popular spot with an unlikely location.
Kemuri Tatsu-ya, Austin
A Japanese izakaya is most often associated with a laidback mindset, perfect for a fun night out, but they’re not often associated with Texan barbecue. Enter Kemuri Tatsu-ya, where your barbecue can be made into a bento box. It’s not traditional but it is terrific.
Middle Eastern Musings
KG BBQ, Austin
Imagine tasting something so delicious it alters the course of your life? That’s precisely what happened to Kareem El-Ghayesh. The Cairo native took one taste, relocated to Austin, and left behind his career in business to focus on barbecue but he never left his roots behind. Instead, he brings his Egyptian heritage and the broader flavors of the Middle East to his singular offerings.
Deli Classics with a Twist
Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen, Austin
Matzoh ball soup isn’t the first side you’d expect to see on a barbecue restaurant’s menu, but it’s a popular choice at Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen, where classic deli foods meet Texas barbecue. This place is best known for their pastrami but before you think it’s classic New York deli pastrami, it’s not. Instead. It’s brined for ten days, rubbed with black pepper and coriander, and then smoked (instead of steamed), making for a delicious mashup.
