The five smokehouses worth driving across the county for — every one independent, every one pit-run, every one worth the wait for brisket.
Good Texas barbecue is a drive, not a stop. You plan around it, you get there before the brisket runs out, and you don’t complain about the line. These five are the ones I send people to across Denton County — all independent, all pit-run, no drive-thru anything.
The shortlist
Marty B’s — Bartonville. Part smokehouse, part backyard party. Brisket and ribs off the pit, live music on the patio, room for the whole crew. Go hungry, stay a while. 2664 FM 407 E.
407 BBQ — Argyle. Post-oak taken seriously. Get there early, because when the brisket’s gone, it’s gone — and the regulars already know it. 831 FM 407 W.
Harold Dean Smoked Goods — Flower Mound. The underdog with a following. Burnt ends and house-made sausage that make you wonder why you ever drove past. 5801 Long Prairie Rd.
Juicy Pig Barbecue — Denton. Denton’s no-fuss staple. Smoked turkey and brisket the regulars would fight you over. Zero pretense, all flavor. 708 N Locust St.
Sullivan Texas BBQ — Old Town Lewisville. Tucked off the square, small-batch, post-oak. The “how did I not know about this” gem. 301 S Mill St.
Five towns, five pits, one weekend well spent. Save this for the next time someone asks where the good brisket is.