LaVaca BBQ Just Cracked Texas Monthly’s Top 10 — No. 8 in the State

When the newest list of Texas Monthly’s Top 50 BBQ Joints dropped, plenty of us went straight to the top 10, and there it was: LaVaca BBQ in Port Lavaca, coming in hot at No. 8.

If you’re from the Crossroads area, you already know that we’ve got heavy hitters when it comes to barbecue. But now it’s official, Texas Monthly just dropped its 2025 Top 50 BBQ list, and LaVaca BBQ in Port Lavaca snagged the No. 8 spot statewide.

Read More: The 10 Best BBQ Spots in Texas, According to Texas Monthly

Here’s how they landed on the list.

Texas Monthly’s team didn’t take bribes or rely on Yelp reviews. They sent 26 tasters across the state in the summer and fall of 2024. No press releases, no heads-up, no special treatment. Just anonymous visits to 319 barbecue joints, that’s 14 weeks of eating brisket, ribs, sausage, and sides until they probably never wanted to see another to-go tray again.

Finalists were re-visited by barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn, who confirmed scores and ranked them based on consistency, technique, creativity, and, of course, taste.

Why LaVaca Stands Out

Housed in a repurposed gas station, LaVaca BBQ’s vibe is unpretentious and proudly coastal. The brisket holds its own against big-city competitors, but what sets it apart is the local touches.

A south Texas twist is scattered across the menu including smoked tamales and Tex-Mex barbecue gumbo. It’s barbecue with originality, and that’s exactly what Texas Monthly looks for.

This isn’t just a win for LaVaca BBQ. It’s a win for South Texas flavor, small-town that run on hustle, and every local who's been saying, “Y’all been sleeping on them.”