Zavala's Barbecue is one of those places that grabs you before you even walk in. The outside gives…read moreoff a cool 1950s drive-up restaurant vibe to me that instantly sets the tone. It feels classic, casual, and full of character. Inside, the space is small with limited seating, which honestly adds to the charm. The order counter is right in front of you as soon as you walk in, with the main menu hanging directly above it and the daily specials posted on a whiteboard off to the side. It's simple, easy to follow, and feels like a place that knows exactly what it does well. During lunch there's usually a line out the door, so coming early is definitely a smart move if you can. That said, the line tends to move pretty quickly, and the staff keeps things running smoothly. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and happy to explain menu items if you need help deciding. I keep coming back for the brisket and pork ribs. The brisket is unbelievably tender--true melt-in-your-mouth barbecue. The seasoning leans pepper-forward, building a beautiful bark and giving it that bold, distinctive Texas flavor. The fat renders down so smoothly it's almost buttery, making every bite rich without feeling heavy. The pork ribs are just as impressive. They're tender and moist with that perfect bite, pulling cleanly off the bone without falling apart. The seasoning holds up beautifully against the smoke, giving each rib a deep, balanced flavor. One of my favorite things on the menu is the Sloppy Juan, a flour taco loaded with chopped brisket and finished with their homemade BBQ sauce. This is a good-sized taco, definitely not street taco size, and the tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the brisket. It lives up to the name with just enough messiness to make it fun without becoming a disaster. My favorite side is easily the Hill Country Potato Salad. Served warm, it eats like a baked potato that somehow got even better. It's comforting, rich, and the perfect match for the smoked meats. This is arguably my favorite Mex-Tex barbecue anywhere. The flavors are bold but still familiar in the best Tejas barbecue tradition. Zavala's really nails that balance between classic Texas smoke and Mexican-inspired comfort, and it makes the whole menu feel unique without ever trying too hard.

Was referred here by a friend and was not disappointed. Very awesome and unique tacos! The Sloppy…read moreJuan is like a spicy sloppy Joe in a taco but the taco with jalapeno popper in it was my fav. The coleslaw and beans were also good. It's probably about twice as expensive as it needs to be, but the tacos are really huge. A+ for uniqueness and friendliness along with top notch quality ingredients.

June 18th 2026 . Got the brisket plate. $23!!!! VERY little brisket and that was mostly fat. Pinto…read morebeans had ZERO flavor Potato salad was marginal. Biggest disappointment was a so-called "Banana pudding" which was nothing but tapioca pudding with about five vanilla wafers on top .They have the nerve to have a sign at the window that says you have to ask for condiments and silverware. Will never ever ever visit this place again. I don't recommend it to anyone who wants even just decent or passable barbecue.

One of the worst BBQ experiences I've had in Texas. The brisket was so dry it felt like it had been…read moresitting under a heat lamp since yesterday. I'm not even exaggerating -- it was tough and completely flavorless. The sausage came out cold, which is pretty wild for a BBQ place. If you can't even serve hot sausage, that's a serious problem. The cleanliness was also terrible. The place didn't look maintained at all and it honestly made me question how the food was being handled in the back. Texas is known for great BBQ, but this place definitely isn't representing that standard. Dry brisket, cold sausage, and a dirty environment -- hard pass. I won't be back. One of the worst BBQ experiences I've had in Texas. The brisket was so dry it felt like it had been sitting under a heat lamp since yesterday. I'm not even exaggerating -- it was tough and completely flavorless. The sausage came out cold, which is pretty wild for a BBQ place. If you can't even serve hot sausage, that's a serious problem. The cleanliness was also terrible. The place didn't look maintained at all and it honestly made me question how the food was being handled in the back. Texas is known for great BBQ, but this place definitely isn't representing that standard. Dry brisket, cold sausage, and a dirty environment -- hard pass. I won't be back.

225° BBQ is the Best TexMex BBQ in Texas. Don't fall for that Over-Hyped place, this is the Real…read moreDeal. The Pecan Smoked Prime Brisket and Ribs are Phenomenal. Juicey Smoked Turkey and Cheddar Jalapeño Sausage are the Best Around. The Birria Tacos and Consumme are far Better than Most Taquerias. Street Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, Quesi Tacos, Habanero Chicken Tacos, etc. are Just Simply Amazing! Sides are Great. Love the Mac & Cheese, Borracho Beans, Coleslaw, Green Spaghetti and Spicy Dirty Rice!! Then there's the Specialty Items. Birria Quesadilla is Fantastic. Get a Side of Consumme! Loaded Potatoes with Butter, Sour Cream, Cheese and any Protein you want. Chopped Brisket, Birria, Sausage, Shrimp, Turkey or any Combo. Their Signature Loaded Brisket, Hot Cheeto Elotes and Birria Ramen are Amazing. If the Dino Beef Rib, Best in NTX, or Baseballs (Cream Cheese and Jalapeño stuffed Chicken Thigh, wrapped in Bacon and Smoked) are on the menu, Get Them!! The Texas Twinkie ( Brisket and Cream Cheese stuffed Jalapeño wrapped in Bacon & Smoked) or Cherry Bomb, same as a Twinkie but with a Habanero are This is TexMex BBQ at its Finest!!

I'm from the Arlington area and I've had a lot of tacos around here, but the birria tacos at 225°…read moreBBQ are legit. The tortillas come out crispy with that perfect little cheese crust, and the meat is super tender and packed with flavor. You can tell they put some real time into cooking it right. The best part is dipping the tacos in the consommé. That broth is rich and smoky and just takes the whole taco to another level. It's messy, but that's how you know it's good. If you're anywhere near Arlington and like birria tacos, you definitely need to try these. I'll 100% be back next time the craving hits.

OMG, their food is so good!! Let me back up…read more Wanted some bbq and was on my way home from work. I had not been by here in a few years and wanted to try it again. I have wanted really good bbq for months and so many places in the metroplex just do not have good bbq anymore and are way over-priced for mediocrity. Rudy's has renewed my faith in a good bbq restaurant!!! The employees were all so nice and knowledgeable about everything on the menu, which is rare with that age group (20-30). I also love it when a bbq restaurant smells wonderful and is clean-no sauces on the table, no pickle or onion juice anywhere, no random meat or bread pieces laying on tables, etc So good! So good!!! (Bringing it back-again!!!!) I ordered two jumbo 2-meat potatoes with brisket and turkey, as well as, two chopped brisket sandwiches. Didn't know what my family wanted so I got what I knew that they'd eat. For sides, I purchased to potato salads and a pint of Rudy's Beans. On the way out, I also grabbed some pickles and sweet peppers. I'm fat full and have coined them as my favorite bbq place now!!! Will definitely be back!

Stopped by Rudy's to grab some dinner otw home. I am pretty disappointed with this trip as the…read morebrisket was moist but not very moist. Some of it was dried out. The seasonings were good though. The prime rib had a lot of char to it where it was hard and overcooked. The staff was friendly...and that was nice. The only bad part is that they forgot my bread...so off to HEB to get some bread. Talk about an inconvenience. I don't think I can recommend this location.

Jenny Lynn's came by my workplace today, drawing dozens of pasty white engineers out into the Texas…read moresun with the promise of delicious BBQ. In short: worth it! I had the Texas fries with beef brisket. They forgot to put my queso on the side , but I didn't mind because the concoction was delicious. Quick tip: they set the bbq sauce on a table to the side of the truck. Don't me like me and forget to get some bbq sauce.

The brisket tacos were amazing!!!!! Coleslaw was good too!!!!! I loved that the food truck was at…read moremy apartments today... convenient and oh so good!!!

Delicious ribs. Delicious fried okra and tomatoes. There were three of us and we shared the rib…read moredinner and got two extra side plates. Plenty of food.

The tantalizing smell of smoked meat drew me across the Home Depot parking lot to a makeshift tent…read morewhere I was politely greeted by the kindest soul. We ordered a double brisket because they were out of pulled pork, and took it home. We quite enjoyed it, and the bbq sauce was the perfect touch.

This bbq is fantastic! I like a mustard based sauce vs sweet sauces and theirs is very good, tangy…read moreand delicious. Meats are well cooked and staff is super friendly. And, they have a drive thru!

OLD-school BBQ joints are my jam! When I moved to Texas, I expected to find tons of these hidden…read moregems, but while there are plenty of delicious BBQ spots, most are slick, professionally designed establishments. This place, however, is almost too authentic--in the best way possible. The dining room doubles as storage, with stacks of takeout containers and cases of potatoes in plain sight, and let's just say the bathroom could use a deep clean (and some hot water). But hey, I'm not fussy--I came for the food! From my deep dive into Yelp, I knew the loaded potato was the must-order item, so that's exactly what I got, topped with brisket. Hubbs went for the two-meat plate, featuring the "meat of the day" (sausage) and ribs--mostly so we could sample it all. Morgan, the one-woman show running the place, recommended coleslaw and beans as sides, and both were excellent. That loaded potato? Absolute perfection, and their special sauce is indeed something special. The ribs were a bit on the salty side for me, but overall, we left happy and full. Best part? We got out of there for under $30--something you just can't do at those trendy BBQ spots. Would I love to see mac and cheese on the menu? Sure. Would I come back anyway? Absolutely. Just maybe with a bottle of hand sanitizer in tow

First time trying Brown's BBQ, and guess I came away thinking super nice folks (thinking at least…read moresome in establishment were family), good (could be great) sides, and still on the learning curve on the brisket. With a bit more seasoning and flavor, the sides could be the hit of the location, and this I think will come with time and practice. Tried the greens (little bland, but wonderful texture), Mac and Cheese (actually seasoning was spot on), and beans (with meat...meh). The greens and MC were the hits for sure. Brisket was on the dry side, maybe overcooked, and could have used some better trimming before cooking I think. Did not try sausages or chicken, but both looked appetizing. They are still dialing in their pits is my guess, and expect cook quality to improve with a time. Quality of meat may also be worth considering. Overal, Brown's is definitely worth a visit, and as they find their groove they could be a contender. Right now would put them at a fair 3.5 stars, but the energy, great attitude (smiles means repeat business), and great beginnings is worthy of 4 stars even now, and a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

Browns was great. I wished I could have taken the food home with me. I'd come right back the next…read moretime I'm in Dallas. The service was professional and quick and the atmosphere comfortable with plenty of seating and a bar.