Why We Love Texas Barbecue (And Why You Should, Too)

Written by

February is often called the month of love, but at Soulman’s Bar-B-Que, we aren’t just talking about flowers and heart-shaped boxes. We’re talking about the kind of love that’s forged over a slow-burning hickory fire and seasoned with nothing but “American grit,” determination, and a whole lot of meat. We’re talking about Texas Barbecue. When we opened our first doors in Pleasant Grove back on October 19, 1974, we had a simple mission: to treat customers like family and serve barbecue that was a “welcomed departure” from the run-of-the-mill stuff. Fifty years later, across 21 DFW locations, that passion hasn’t changed. As we celebrate our heritage this month, we wanted to share why we fell in love with Texas-style barbecue in the first place—and why it remains the heart of our family legacy. Traditional barbecue, in some parts of the country, is all about the sauce. In Texas, the meat is the star of the show. At Soulman’s, our succulent selections of BBQ meats are cooked “low and slow” over hickory in our time-honored tradition. Whether it’s our signature brisket or our Double Barrel February special—a Texas-sized baked potato loaded with your choice of meat—the goal is to let those natural, smoky flavors shine. We don’t hide our meat; we honor it with timeless techniques and recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. What Makes Texas Barbecue “Soulman’s Style”? Texas holds a unique crown in the BBQ world, and we’ve spent five decades perfecting our place in it. For us, it’s about three things:

 

  1. The Focus on Beef: While other states prioritize pork, Texas is the undisputed land of the brisket. Achieving that perfect “smoke ring” is a Texas rite of passage we’ve been practicing since 1974.
  2. Tried-and-True Recipes: We haven’t changed the original family recipes that the moms created the day before we opened. From our ribs to our sausage, everything is cut to order—just the way you like it.
  3. The “Memer” Standard: Texas BBQ isn’t complete without the sides. We still peel the potatoes in-store every day for Memer’s famous house-made Potato Salad. It’s that commitment to non-commercial quality that sets a Texas original apart. A Love Built on Family and Faith For over 50 years, Soulman’s hasn’t just been a restaurant; it’s been a gathering place for the North and East Texas communities. Our love for Texas barbecue is rooted in our faith and our commitment to treating every person who walks through our doors like family. From the dining rooms in Garland, Mansfield, and Greenville to every community we serve, we believe that if we take care of our customers, our customers will take care of us. You don’t need a candlelit dinner to celebrate love in February. You just need a stack of ribs and the people around your table you care about.