Your Survival Guide to the Texas Monthly 2023 BBQ Fest
As a proud native of the Lone Star State, the anticipation for the upcoming Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2023 electrifies my senses. My deep-seated love for Texas barbecue (What wine goes well with barbecue?), a culinary masterpiece enveloped in tradition and smoky allure, was born and bred amidst the pit-smoke perfumed air of Downtown Lockhart, the undisputed "Barbecue Capital" of Texas.
With its mesmerizing symphony of hickory-smoked meats (What wine goes well with smoked meats?), tangy sauces, and vibrant rubs, this year's Texas BBQ fest is the irresistible annual Lockhart City Park pilgrimage that ceaselessly lures me back.
As one of the biggest local BBQ events, The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2023 is a unified effort to satisfy barbecue lovers and support a vital cause – Feeding Texas, a leading statewide non-profit organization dedicated to hunger relief. As attendees enjoy barbecued delights' intoxicating aroma and flavors, they contribute to a Hunger-Free Texas. So dust off your BBQ road trip map and head on down to Lockhart.
Smoked beef brisket (What wine goes well with beef brisket?) is the crown jewel of Texas BBQ. To learn more about beef brisket, click here.
What to Expect at Texas Monthly's BBQ Fest 2023
Texas Monthly, a proud Texan institution, has brought the lifestyle, culture, food, and Southern fun in the form of the Barbecue Capital's historic back drop to this year's Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2023 (TM BBQ Fest 2023). But before you pack your things and jump into the small-town charms of Lockhart, Texas, here's a few things to look out for.
Setting the Stage at the Lockhart City Park
The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2023 is poised to ignite the charming heart of Lockhart City Park on the 4th and 5th of November. The serene and leafy Lockhart City Park will transform into a lively BBQ World's Fair that is guaranteed to be a feast for the senses. Experience a bustling bazaar brimming with tantalizing smoke, joyous laughter, live musical performances, and the strumming heartbeats of true Texas spirit from the fiery BBQ pits.
BBQ World's Fair
Saturday's BBQ World's Fair set for the 4th of November is, apart from barbecue, offers visitors to the BBQ festival a great gastronomic view into the highlights of Texas cuisine. Expect a host of different taquerias that all hail from different parts of Texas. Also, don't forget to bring an extra tote bag for the on-site market place.
More Than Just Tasting
The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2023 will also allow you to deepen your BBQ knowledge. A lineup of live-fire cooking demos, workshops, and panel discussions led by the masters of the BBQ pit will cover a wide world of BBQ techniques, meat selection, smoking methods, and even the secrets to the perfect sauce. So, look out for some of the best BBQ Central Texas.
A Feast of Activities
While the BBQ takes center stage, the festival also encapsulates the vibrant Texan culture. The live music stage will feature local bands belting out country and blues tunes, complementing the smoky air with a resonating rhythm of Texas spirit.
On the 4th of November, expect a well-curated taco trail lineup from some of the best taco vendors in the state and an artisan marketplace to add to the diverse attractions you can enjoy. The younger crowd won't be left out either, with activities tailored to them, including face painting, inflatable rides, and a petting zoo.
The Top 50 Picnic
The Top 50 Picnic on November 5 gathers Texas Monthly's latest Top 50 ranked BBQ joints across the Lone Star State. Apart from the thirty barbecue joints present for your taste buds to peruse, you'll also be greeted with different activities like live music, drinks, and a wide variety of sides for you to enjoy.
The Pit Master Showcase
With over 50 of Texas's most revered barbecue joints confirmed to participate, including local Lockhart stalwarts like Kreuz Market, Smitty's Market, and Black's Barbecue, and other featured joints, like Austin's Franklin Barbecue and Lexington's Snow's BBQ, the Texas monthly BBQ fest promises a grand tour of Texas BBQ.
Taste the BBQ Spectrum
The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest will offer a feast for the senses. The pit masters will serve lunch with a diverse array of slow-smoked meats - brisket, ribs, sausages, and more. Snow's anticipated melt-in-your-mouth brisket, Black's legendary beef ribs, and Kreuz Market's unique spicy jalapeño cheese sausage are set to showcase creative flavors that encapsulate Texas BBQ in all its glory.
Ticketing and Access
Ticket levels are divided into three main categories: General Admission, VIP Tickets, and Weekend Bundles for big savings when visiting with a group. VIP ticket holders can expect exclusive VIP access, including an extra hour at the fest, meaning fewer lines and more time to relish the BBQ. At the same time, the General Admission tickets get you to sample the best of what the barbecue fest offers at scheduled times.
At the BBQ World's Fair, BBQ fans and hardcore acolytes out on a Texas barbecue pilgrimage can avail of the "Around the World" punch card that opens perks and early access to grilled delights. Punch card holders will get two drink tickets and the chance to try a range of offerings at a lower price.
Be sure to book your tickets now; the early bird tickets have already sold out, and ticket sales might run out fast.
Supporting a Cause
The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2022 will be more than just a festival. It's set to be a unified effort towards a hunger-free Texas. The official beneficiary of the entire event, Feeding Texas, will receive part of the proceeds from public ticket sales, thus making your enjoyment of Texas BBQ a way to support Feeding Texas.
A Smoky Celebration on the Horizon
The buzz is tangible as we draw closer to November. The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2023 promises a feast of exceptional BBQ and a celebration of rich tradition in Texas' very own barbecue capital, community spirit, and the sheer joy that comes from sharing good food with good company. So, mark your calendars for the smoky celebration of the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest 2023 is just around the corner or try the BBQ Fest Arlington TX on 7-8th Oct 2023.
And try out these excellent Texas barbeque restaurants:
In terms of BBQ, if you are in San Antonio, take time to visit this link if you want to have the best BBQ experience.
If you’re heading back through Fort Worth after BBQ fest, try Goldies BBQ, recently named No. 1 BBQ joint.
Red Dirt Festival 2023 Tyler TX - Red Dirt Music Festival and BBQ
Halal Festival 2023 - Food Festival & Carnival Austin
Snows BBQ Lexington TX - Popular rural smokehouse
Mr Uno BBQ Alvin TX - Dine in/Drive through
Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ Events & Live Music, Dallas
If you want a taste of Texan BBQ book a BBQ tour Austin
Search for BBQ competitions near me for other local event.
