Those who say you can have too much of a good thing didn’t mean barbecue in Texas. During two of the hottest months in Dallas-Fort Worth, the barbecue scene heated up with six new spots opening in five North Texas cities. Let’s eat:
Moak’s Family Texas BBQ in Dallas
Moak’s Family Texas BBQ comes to Dallas’ West End from a familiar face, restaurant owner Jay Khan, who now owns six restaurants within a few blocks of each other. He was inspired to open Moak’s Restaurant in honor of his wife of 35 years. He describes Caren Moak Khan as an “all-American northern girl” who learned to love Texas barbecue. Unlike the newfangled barbecue joints that barely sell meat platters and other items, Moak’s also serves Texas staples like chicken-fried steak, a rib-eye with mac and cheese, and a chicken breast with mashed potatoes. Baked potatoes with lots of vegetables are also an option.
Longtime residents will remember this West End address as the former Sonny Bryan’s, one of D-FW’s oldest barbecue joints.
Moak’s Family Texas BBQ is located at 302 N. Market St., Dallas. It will open on August 21, 2024.
Real Texas BBQ (x2) in Waxahachie and Mansfield
When a new HEB opens in Texas, its companion restaurant, True Texas BBQ, often follows. That’s the case at the new HE-B grocery store in Mansfield and a renovated one in Waxahachie. True Texas BBQ is known for its “aggressively priced” barbecue and sides like collard greens, mac and cheese and serrano cornbread. While some HEB shoppers stop by before or after grocery shopping for a meat feast, another option is to order a party pack and share it with friends at home.
True Texas BBQ in Waxahachie is located at 800 N. Hwy 77 (in a new stand near HEB); opening was August 21, 2024. True Texas BBQ in Mansfield is located at 1670 E. Broad St. (inside HEB); opening was June 26, 2024.
Ferah Smokehouse & Cantina in Wylie
Ferah Smokehouse & Cantina offers barbecue and Tex-Mex under one roof. Owners Burak Ozcan, Stephanie Ozcan, Jeremy Berlin and Heidi Berlin have put together a menu that feels more upscale than most barbecue or Tex-Mex joints. Maybe it’s the selection of bold cocktails with drinks like a smoked margarita and a ferahjillo, a variation of the carajillo, a popular alcoholic espresso drink. Maybe it’s the sides like parmesan truffle fries or asparagus. But more likely, it’s main dishes like brisket chile relleno, fajitas and chili lime salmon that showcase barbecue and Tex-Mex finesse. We’re excited to see what our friends in the Wylie/Sachse/Murphy area have to say about it.
Ferah Smokehouse & Cantina is located at 950 S. Westgate Way, Wylie. It opened on July 22, 2024.
Rollin Smoke Barbeque at Trinity Groves in West Dallas
Las Vegas franchise Rollin Smoke Barbeque came to West Dallas in mid-July 2024, replacing Babb Bros. BBQ and Blues, which closed in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trinity Groves is experiencing another rebirth, this time with another fleet of new restaurants and the promise of eatertainment. The Dallas barbecue joint is run by veteran John McLaurin. In addition to smoked ribs, pulled pork and brisket, the menu also includes catfish, shrimp and meatloaf. I’ve got my eye on this Southern sweet potato dessert.
Rollin Smoke is located at 3015 Gulden Lane (in Trinity Groves), Dallas. The opening is scheduled for mid-July 2024. The grand opening party is on September 1, 2024.
Brisket City Craft BBQ made from Red Oak
Brisket City is an excellent name for a barbecue joint, right? This new restaurant in Red Oak serves meat by the pound, sandwiches with chopped brisket, pulled pork or turkey, plus a few unexpected options just for fun, like a brisket cheesesteak and loaded barbecue waffle fries. The owners formerly operated Boatman’s BBQ in Tolar, Texas, near Granbury.
Brisket City Craft BBQ is located at 219 TX-342, Red Oak. It Opening in early June 2024.
For more food news, visit Sarah Blaskovich on X at @sblaskovich.
