The world of Texas craft BBQ is an up at dawn, back breaking, exhaustive, and often sweltering pursuit. Starting at the beginning of each week, these pitmasters are sourcing quality meats and other ingredients. Midweek food prep begins with sausage stuffing from scratch. Thursday is for smoking brisket. 1/2 day to smoke and 1/2 day to rest. Friday and Saturday the smokers are filled with pork butt, ribs, turkey, and house-made sausage - all before the sun comes up. The sides are assembled and service begins at 5. Saturday service begins at 10 and the day ends when the food runs out. Sunday is for rest. For most of these guys they also maintain 40 hours a week, not in BBQ. The lifestyle might not be for everyone - but for these passionate craftsmen there is joy in the process and the results
T&D BBQ - Weatherford, Tx. @tndbbq
When I spoke with Dustin and Tyler about the prep and process of good BBQ, I realized the ideal time would be at before dawn, bleary-eyed with coffee pumping through our veins. I knew the ideal time would be at day break, bleary-eyed with coffee pumping through our veins. The guys were gracious and helpful but had a job to do, to get ready for service at 10am. Together we navigated those early hours smoking ribs, turkey and corn, capturing the process all along. My favorite moment was captured in the very last shot of the day when the team handed me a doggy bag to take home, those smiling faces are the faces you can expect to greet you at the window at TND.
*pro tip - keep an eye on their instagram, they announce their one of a kind house-made sausage once a month - last month they made blueberry pancake!!! It’s worth the trip!
Zavala’s Barbecue - Grand Prairie, Tx @zavalasbarbecue
Incase you didn’t hear, in February, Texas experienced a once in a lifetime winter storm. During the storm many homes and buildings experienced catastrophic failures including burst pipes and flooding. Joe Zavala’s beloved barbecue joint had an untreated burst pipe that flooded the restaurant for days. While it wasn’t a total loss, the clean up and rebuild was extensive. I arrived for our shoot the day the movers came to empty it out for clean up to begin. Needless to say they were closed for some time, so we had to get creative with the setup of our shoot. Joe started a gorgeous fire, then he trimmed and prepped a brisket for me. At one point he asked me, “Should I smile?” I said, “Do you feel like smiling?” He said, “YEAH! it’s kinda my thing.” So there you have it, in the depths of a painful loss Joe was upbeat and smiling. It’s amazing what what following your life’s passion can do for you.
Bare Barbecue - Cleburne, Tx @barebarbecue
These two brothers-in-law started serving BBQ to family and friends on the weekends until they realized, they could do something with this. They started working 7 days a week for months and months but with 5 small children between them they later started alternating weekends.
I met these guys before a Friday service. They were in the throes of prep - smoking hamburger patties, and getting a first look at that brisket they worked so hard on for nearly 2 days. Just look at that crust!
*pro tip These guys were completely sold out in a couple hours. When you’re headed to Cleburne, order in advance, it’s your best shot.
