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    Zavala's Barbecue

    4.5 (185 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 week ago

    Zavala's Barbecue Photos

    ZAVALA'S BARBECUE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Zavala's Barbecue

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    Cheesy Jalapeño Hominy
    Bob M.

    Some of the Best Brisket in Texas. Awesome Pizza Pepper Sausage, Smoked Turkey, Spicy Slaw, Cheesy Jalapeño Hominy and Banana Pudding with Real Banana Slices and Whipped Cream. Absolutely Love Zavala's Barbecue!!

    Stephanie C.

    Brisket and turkey is what I got to try when I came on a Friday afternoon. Super tender and juicy! I didn't really care for their sides. :/ I've had better at other bbq places. Establishment is small. So if u have a big group u will need to sit outside or take to go. Their banana pudding was bomb tho! Left me wanting more for sure. Staff was friendly and welcoming. Would come back for more meat and dessert!

    Randall T.

    Food: amazing brisket! Juicy tasty ribs! Awesome flavorful spicy coleslaw! Awesome Sloppy Juan Sauce. Just the right amount of heat Service: hardly any wait. Smiles! Helpful. Free LoneStar beer for the tag @zavalasbarbecue and @lonestar Ambiance: good music! Good people. Indoor seating was available for us. Nice weather today for outside seating. Best barbecue in the state of Texas, and USA. Get here before it gets put on the NO MAS list! Because NO MAS means NO MORE Joe Zavala, kudos!

    Dustie M.

    Wow! That's all I have to say. We were brought here with a local friend and can't say enough great things. It is unassuming as it is a smaller kind of homey venue but don't let that steer you away. The service was awesome and super friendly, which included the owner himself serving us. The food! As you can see I was trying to order one of everything! Not one thing disappointed and I found some of the best brisket I've ever had. It cut with my plastic fork and was so packed with flavor. I could eat it every day and die happy. The only thing I'm mad about is I couldn't eat enough to try literally everything. I can't recommend this place enough and will stop here every time I'm in the DFW area.

    Hill country potato salad, pop's beans, "almost carnitas", "sloppy Juan", turkey, brisket, and cheesy jalapeño hominy.
    Patrick S.

    Delicious meal. We cleared our tray by the end. Had a nice complementary Lone Star beer out on the patio which has been decorated for the World Cup. We showed up around 11:30 on a Thursday so we were served within 2 minutes of arrival. I love brisket and theirs was delicious and juicy, had the turkey on the recommendation of someone else and it was maybe the best turkey I've ever had, very moist and an awesome smoky flavor, and the "almost carnitas" were a delicious pork dish especially good in the tacos we made with the extra tortillas we ordered. The "sloppy Juan" was a wonderfully saucy explosion of flavor that our party were fighting over. Of the 4 meats we had, I'd vote the sloppy Juan #1 for uniqueness and awesome flavor, smoked turkey #2 for being outstanding and unique, brisket #3 as I'm a brisket die-hard, and "almost carnitas" #4, though it was still a super flavorful pork dish. The potato salad was delicious and not especially creamy, which I know is often a concern/complaint of some potato salads. The pops beans were standard fare, not standout but mostly what I was expecting. I and my party are not particularly big fans of hominy, and we were given it complementary when it was accidentally prepared for someone who didn't order it, and I thought it was actually pretty good and by far the best hominy I've ever had, though I'd still generally prefer to save room for any of the meats we were served. I'd save room for the potato salad when returning, and eat the beans and hominy if I'm still hungry after finishing the rest on the tray.

    Menu
    Brenden K.

    Let me preface this by saying I was starving when I came in. That explains why I ordered $40 worth of food for myself. The food was very, very good. But the staff here was amazing in helping me decide what to order and giving me a little side of Cole slaw since I told them I was very picky with my Cole slaw. I ordered the two meat plate with ribs and brisket, the ribs were some of the best I've ever had. I got just the right combination of fatty and lean brisket. I told them to surprise me with the sides and they gave me beans and potato salad. I was very pleasantly surprised when I tasted the potato salad because it didn't look that impressive. But the flavor was great! I saw the reviews about the sloppy Juan so I just had to order one. I also asked if there was anything I should try and they suggested the smoked beef cheeks. Here's a pro tip, make sure to ask for some of their pico de gallo. It's delicious and goes very well with the tacos! Looking forward to my next trip here.

    You know it's good when the city renames a side street "Brisket Lane"
    Aaron C.

    Great BBQ. Went for lunch. Got the sliced brisket, slaw, and Pico. Free lone star beers at the door were a welcomed surprise. Staff super friendly. Got to chit-chat with the pit master. He took his time and showed us around the pit area. Brisket has tons of black pepper. Makes the bark out of this world and a bit on the spicy side. The slaw is spicy as well.

    Brisket with beans

    I love Texas BBQ, so I wasn't sure what to expect here. I got the brisket with the beans. There are not a lot of food options and no iced tea, but what they had was great. I easily could the brisket with a plastic fork, that's how tender it was. The atmosphere was definitely lacking. It would've been nice to have metal silverware and the area to sit was tiny.

    2 taco plate and added a sloppy Juan. GET THE POTATO SALAD!!!
    Amy W.

    The BBQ/Mexican Fusion You Never Knew You Needed... The only ding this place gets? No Diet Coke. Nada. They say it comes with a "Coke," and they're serious. Not a Diet Coke in sight, COKE ONLY, no Dr. Pepper, sprite -nothin'-which honestly feels like a major oversight, but hey, they must have some quirky reasoning. Other than that? This spot absolutely nails it. It's a BBQ/Mexican fusion dream with handmade tortillas and something called a "Sloppy Juan." Intrigued? Yeah, so was I. Two of us ordered a taco plate with two tacos plus a Sloppy Juan, which came with two sides. We got the beans and the warm potato salad--massive win. That potato salad is no joke. Loaded with fresh dill and crispy bacon crumbles, it's like potato salad on crack. I'd come back just for that. The brisket taco comes chopped (next time, I'd request sliced), and the carnitas-style taco stole the show. As for the Sloppy Juan... a bit too spicy for me, but that green sauce on the table? Unmissable. I don't know what's in it, but it's herby, zesty, and perfect with the meats. This place is officially on my permanent rotation--just BYO your own side unless regular Coke is your thing! Really a spectacular no frills place, A lady said to next time try the turkey, which she HIGHLY recommended, I guess I would never normally order turkey, but maybe this place had cracked the code, I mean if any place could, my money is on Zavalas!!

    LeeAnne W.

    We stopped in on this charming place in an old drive-in diner prior to going to the hotel and later on to a concert. There was no brisket....just a dino rib.....Oh darn, the only thing left was just like the most delicious meat EVER! No brisket, NO PROBLEM. The hubby and I like to share the dino beef rib because when they cut it up all pretty for you, you have the perfect combination of lean and moist beef. I like the fat, hubby likes the lean. We are both happy with the rib and don't ya just love the incredible black pepper rubs on those? Wow!!! So incredibly delicious. You have to have to have to get the Hill Country Potato Salad that is mayo based and has green onions and bacon in them along with the cheesy jalepeno hominy! You have got to be kidding me kind of greatness right here. So, you have your delectable little chunks of peppered barked beef rib, layer it on one of their delicious homemade corn tortillas and their homemade pico de gallo????? Stoppit!!! Then they have the Mexican Coca-Colas in the glass bottles for refreshment and then splash a little Sloppy Juan sauce on the tortilla wrap! Boom! Since we arrived so late in the day, they offered us a delicious authentic Mexican fruity beverage that really hit the spot! I would definitely come back to Zavala's.

    John B.

    I've tried them all and this was the best bbq in DFW Everything was amazing. Service was quick. Can't stop thinking about how great the food was.

    Olivia A.

    This place is amazing! We had the meat platter and it was all sooo good! Highly recommend this for the food, service, and vibe

    Anthony D.

    Zavala's was fantastic! From the cold beers waiting for you outside the door to the proteins/sides everything was top notch. How they were left off the top 50 list year is quite surprising.

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    2 months ago

    Very salty and lots of pepper is used. It was a disappointing trip. The hype was not lived up to sadly.

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    11 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Food was fabulous, quick service, great location, very pleasant surroundings in the dining area

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    1 year ago

    Cool little bbq spot, absolutely delicious. Will be coming back again. Fast service got my food less than a min after I ordered.

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    10 months ago

    Great service, and food. I'm very happy and I'll forsure be returning. They took care of me.

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    9 months ago

    I go there once a week, talking along others frequently. Highly recommended. Especially love the potato salad!

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    Hurtado Barbecue

    Hurtado Barbecue

    4.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    Absolutely love this place! We went for the birria Nachos (weekend special menu item) but they had…read morealready sold out... a little sad but soon got over it but our food was !!!! We ordered the el jefe plate and share it between us two and still had some leftovers . I also ordered a birria taco it it was my favorite thing I ate. I tried French fries- yummm and he had the potato salad as a side. Just look at photo and you will see the greatness! Service was fast which is good bcs the line was long and not-so-fast! We ate inside and it was nice and cool the room with the long communal table. I would say they need to be on tables to wipe them down before the next people sit down, maybe figure some fly control & clean up/ touch up paint the walls in that front room. Will not keep me away... but would def improve the experience. This is my favorite BBQ... not just in Arlington, but anywhere. I asked my husband to take me on a date to Loma (their newest restaurant) on Friday evening! So excited to try it!!

    Rating: 6.5/10 Date Last Visited: 7/12/2026…read more I ordered Brisket ($35/lb), Pork Ribs ($29/lb), the Texas Twinkie ($6), and a quart of Hatch Chili Mac N Cheese ($15). The brisket and pork ribs were decent, but honestly pretty dry and lacking in flavor when compared to some other BBQ places in DFW. For the price, it's pretty similar to other BBQ in the area. The Texas Twinkie is a jalapeño stuffed with cream cheese and brisket and wrapped in bacon. It was my favorite item as the cream cheese and bacon balanced out the spiciness of the jalapeño. The mac n cheese was also delicious with the perfect amount of spice. The service was great too as they made a mistake on my order and quickly corrected it. I like that this place is open daily and for dinner too. Overall, I would recommend this place if you're in the area and looking for some BBQ, but if you're a huge fan of BBQ then I recommend going to the other top BBQ places.

    Photos
    HURTADO BARBECUE
    HURTADO BARBECUE
    2 carnes ( brisket y belly skins pork) , Mexican creamy corn y brisket charro beans!!!  ! Sabroso!!  Regresaremos pronto !!!!
    2 carnes ( brisket y belly skins pork) , Mexican creamy corn y brisket charro beans!!! ! Sabroso!! Regresaremos pronto !!!!
    Outside bar area

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    Outside bar area
    Outlaw's Barbeque

    Outlaw's Barbeque

    2.9
    (135 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $

    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.

    Photos
    Outlaw's Barbeque
    Outlaw's Barbeque
    Outlaw's Barbeque

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    225 BBQ

    225 BBQ

    4.5
    (98 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    225 BBQ
    225 BBQ
    225 BBQ

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    Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q

    Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q

    3.7
    (429 reviews)
    7.2 mi
    $$

    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.

    Photos
    Dining area inside
    Dining area inside
    Turkey Sandwich
    Turkey Sandwich
    Sausage, lean brisket, and fatty brisket.

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    Sausage, lean brisket, and fatty brisket.
    Brown's BBQ

    Brown's BBQ

    4.7
    (3 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Brisket plate, nice portion size, was a fan of greens and MC.
    Brisket plate, nice portion size, was a fan of greens and MC.
    Brown's BBQ
    Brown's BBQ

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    FireHouse Gastro Park

    FireHouse Gastro Park

    4.4
    (516 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    We came in mothers day 2026. Together we got…read more The Asian bird sandwich The buffalo bird The cheesesteak The gouda and a A basket of fried pickles. They have a variety of drinks and Pepsi products. We ended up with black cherry cola and a pineapple cream soda. No complaints had there. The friend pickles has a nice breading and good ranch. It is a thicker style ranch. Nobody had a complaint and everybody finished theirs. The Philly cheese steak did have a southwest flavor profile but it was still really good just a heads up. It's counter service but they are friendly. It is set up in an old fire station and has a cute aesthetic. Will eat again

    I must say this place is GOOD! I randomly picked it cause the food looked good on Yelp and I was…read morenear and d*mn it, I chose right! We got the loaded Nashville fries, which were not hot like I expected but perfect. And the sauce on them was GOOD! We also both got cheeseburgers on the lunch menu with added bacon! Fire again! I got onion rings and they were definitely fresh and cooked on sight not frozen! Oh and my wife got fried zucchini I think. I didn't try it but she said it was good too. Total cost about $50 bucks. And that's PLENTY of food. And will be leftovers for dinner tonight. And and how could I forget while waiting on my food, oh let's come back to that. Let me mention that have REAL root beer! Nothing like a good root beer. Made me want to get a to go cup with no ice to put over some ice cream Okay now back to what I was about to say. After I ordered our food I went to the bar and got a drink. And the bartender made a damn good old fashioned and I will tell you if I have a bad old fashioned trust me. I'll definitely be back! Now let me add some pics

    Photos
    FireHouse Gastro Park
    Brisket sando! House smoked and sauce!
    Brisket sando! House smoked and sauce!
    FireHouse Gastro Park

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    Zavala's Barbecue - bbq - Updated August 2026

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