My father was a true grillmaster. But I learned what good grilled meats should taste like. For me, buying grilled meats has always felt like a foreign concept. To my mind, it was always a DIY endeavor--partly because a host of culinary sins can be hidden under those ubiquitous, heavy-handed sauces. That said, a recent stop in li'l ol' Buna, Texas, introduced me to Black Gold Barbeque, a spot whose work stands among the best I've ever tasted. They serve it right--no sauce involved, brave enough to let the meat stand entirely on its own merits. Their sides are solid, too; you don't need fancy, overloaded sides when you're doing this well on the pit. The atmosphere hits a great balance: it's not too polished and not a hole-in-the-wall, striking that sweet spot that says they're fully okay with you making a mess while you enjoy the grub. Top that off with genuine Texas hospitality, from a fun crew behind the counter who clearly enjoy each other as much as they do welcoming first-timers. They were featured in Texas Monthly back in April 2025, which, in a state practically built on the altar of smoked and grilled meats, is more than enough to earn my attention. You can check out that article here: https://www.texasmonthly.com/bbq/black-gold-barbeque-buna/. A word of advice: it hits you with a paywall if you aren't quick with the clicks, but I've got a downloaded copy, so let me know if you run into the wall and I'll make sure you get to see the writeup. Nowadays, barbecue isn't cheap, so it's important to get a leg up on a good place to chow down. Do yourself a favor and make the trip. read more

Wow the food was excellent. Texas Twinkie was a must have. Absolutely do not skip dessert! The sheet cake was the best I have ever had...I need this recipe it blew us away. Clean and family friendly vibe we absolutely loved it. We are traveling across the country and this was one of our best stops! Thank again for the hospitality. read more

Black Gold Barbeque - Two meat plate with beans and corn casserole yum! - Barbeque Near Me - Buna, Texas

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Ordered 4 brisket loaded baked potatoes. When we got home and opened up our potatoes the brisket on the top looked like shredded burnt leather... It was not eatable, I called and talked with the manager on duty and she said she just got there and was sorry but was confused on what I wanted her to do about it. WHAT!!!! You're a manager and I just told you the entire dinner we purchased from your restaurant was uneatable and all you can say is you are confused on what you should do????? Everyone be aware they will not offer you any solutions for your meal and they know this is not even close to the standard they are known for. Shame on this manager!!! This establishment usually has great food but this is a joke!!! I won't be going back any time soon... read more

Stumbled across this spot 3+hrs away from home and let me tell you pleasant surprise. Tried a couple options of Mac and cheese baked beans and some sausage. All very good and worth the try... however. The brisket was DANG good. I have been to some of the top bbqs (Franklin, millers, snow, killens, etc) in TX and this brisket measures up. It's so good that it definitely outshined everything else I tried. Service was super friendly and easy to order in the standard cafeteria style ordering system. Location is brand spanking new with a massive signage stating "Rated on TX Monthly". And a well deserved representation on TX monthly. read more

Black Gold Barbeque - That lovely brisket. - Barbeque Near Me - Buna, Texas

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The food is great and affordable. The young lady that was serving my sides got a bit irritated when I switched from the corn casserole to the Mac and cheese lol but overall if I am in the area I will be back. read more

Black Gold Barbeque - Two meat plate lean cut brisket and sausage with Mac and cheese and beans with a roll - Barbeque Near Me - Buna, Texas

Let me start by saying the food is overpriced for the portions and quality. More importantly, I've been there on 3 separate occasions only to find that they were out of the brisket and BBQ potatoes. I was there during peak lunch and dinner times. It blows my mind that you can't ensure that you have enough food to serve your customers. One time could be a fluke, 3 separate times is a pattern. I'd reconsider your choice of restaurants unless you feel like overpaying and rolling the dice on the menu availability. read more

Food was good. Since they had different food, other than bbq meats, I would have liked a picture of some items. I want to pictures to SEE the Texas Cheesesteak, Cowboy Pie, and Chicken Fried Steak. I ordered. Then I saw someone else's Chicken Fried Steak. Wow. I would have ordered that. It was huge. The space was clean and lots of seats. Service was good. read more

Place is clean.. Their meat is good, but all the sides I tasted were more like dessert. Corn Casserole shoulda had something other than jiffy cornbread mix in it.. Baked Beans were like 50% Honey.. You don't need any dessert items on the menu with sides full of sugar sweet substance.. I don't have sugar tooth.. It tells me people don't know how to cook if they make food sweet.. read more

Nice location with a huge parking lot in the back for campers - we appreciated that. From being greeted to checking out - they were all pleasant and well staffed. You see Attendants cleaning. We appreciated that too! Now onto the food... I went with 3 Texas Twinkies (best ever) lil spicy but worth the burn. And I got a side of corn casserole. I loved it! Hubby got brisket sandwich, potato salad and homemade hade peach cobbler. read more

Black Gold Barbeque - Texas Twinkies - so big, spicy and good! Excellent brisket inside! - Barbeque Near Me - Buna, Texas

Excellent food (ribs were amazing), friendly service, and that chocolate cake is worth the drive!

This is my first time here, I've been wanting to come since I saw the build happening. The brisket was so tender and yummy! I really love their take on BBQ sauce! I couldn't eat my 2 large pieces of brisket and only ate half of my macaroni. I had to try 2 bites of blueberry cobbler. It was all real tasty and blended well! We got the grand son steak fingers and fries and he loved it and the hubs had a meat plate with greenbeans and potato salad. The gb were a little spicy but I loved them. The chocolate cake had a Lil cinnamon my hubs said but it didn't stop him and the grand son from eating the whole thing lol. Its a little noisy could use a couple of sound pads in the ceiling to help. Overall I'll come back and try something different, so I can make a more informed opinion. But if you want brisket then you surely need to go here! read more

Black Gold Barbeque - Grandson has had full day of dinosaurs and now a good steak finger basket to balance out the sugar we gave him. - Barbeque Near Me - Buna, Texas

The BBQ is fantastic! The atmosphere is really nice and very clean. The staff is young, professional and friendly. Don't forget to order a Texas Twinkie while you are there! They are to die for! read more

First, this is a brand new restaurant to the Buna area!! And it's really nice on the outside and inside as well! A big open area and tall ceiling in the middle when you walk in really give the place a big open feeling and there are plenty of tables, windows, pictures, and merchandise to look at!!! It has a really nice ambience to it, and being new, it's very crowded at lunch and dinner!!! They sold out of 40 briskets the first day very quick, not knowing how the opening day would go!!! My wife went and got an order to go of their Smash burgers Thursday afternoon. These and several other sandwiches come with fries and I can tell you we were very impressed with the burgers!!! The fries were really good too, long and cooked just right, not like the little short ones we get at another place local. The wife had to run to Houston today, so our 9 year old and I ran a few errands and decided we wanted to go and sit inside. We got there around noon and the line was backed up to the door on the inside! There were several people that came in and left after seeing the line! Probably a good thing if they were on a time crunch for lunch. It took us almost an hour to get to the order station!!! I think they might need an extra hand helping to slice meat orders for lunch and dinner until the new wears down. The line did move slow. Several times it was because the man slicing the meats had to come around to hear what some people wanted to order because they talked too low, or the glass at the order counter was too high for him to hear some of them!!!. It goes quick once you get your meat! The sides are very good too. I wanted to get the three meat plate to get a good feel of their BBQ. I got the moist brisket, pork spare ribs, and sausage. My sides were loaded potatoes, and pinto beans. My 9 year old wanted another single patty smash burger with catsup only on it, and it comes with seasoned fries that are really tasty! He loved it.... Again! The meat slicer fellow sliced the moist (fatty) brisket exactly how it should have been sliced, about a fat pencil width thick and I got two real nice slices. I saw him slice the lean brisket for another customer and he sliced it exactly right too, about the width of a #2 pencil, he also sliced four spare ribs and added it to my plate, and one link of sausage. We moved down the line and picked up my sides and then to the register. Oh yeah, I forgot I ordered 4 of their Texas Twinkies to bring home for my wife and I to try later this evening when she gets home. When I got to the register I placed his order for the Single patty Smash Burger with the cashier, and also got us two drinks. She handed us cups to get our drinks from the soda fountain around the corner from the cash register. There are also straws, lids, to go boxes, and Cups for condiments like sliced pickled Jalapenos, white onions, and Dill pickles if you want them. They didn't have BBQ sauce at the tables and they will give you sauce in a small cup at the register. You'll have to ask if you want more than one! She took my name and gave us a number to set at our table so they would know where to bring the smash burger to. The food was all very good!!! The brisket has a nice bark and the moist is just that, very moist with a nice smoke ring and a really good and not overbearing smoke flavor to it, as did the ribs!!! The sausage was pretty good too! I think they buy it from the outside, and don't make their own like some places do! So far everyone I have talked to had been more than pleased with our new place in town! Their menu ventures away from BBQ too, burgers, and other sandwiches, stuffed baked potatoes, Fried fish, and other things. I have already picked out what I want to try on our next visit, the Chicken fried steak! I hear it is not only really good, but it's a good sized portion unto itself!!! It's just what Buna needed, a very nice restaurant, with a variety to pick from, and from everything I hear, everyone is very happy with the food!!! I hope they don't ever change it, because if they keep doing what they're doing, they are going to get a name for themselves and not a bad one either! Just really good food, and the people are all very friendly and helpful too! I think everyone is going to really enjoy having Black Gold Barbeque in our town and I think people are going to drive out of their way way to come eat here too!!! read more

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Service was amazing, food outstanding. Generous portions and the price is right. I highly recommend this place to anyone. read more

Black Gold Barbeque - Two meat plate, brisket, ribs, dirty rice & Mac n cheese. - Barbeque Near Me - Buna, Texas

First of all, this restaurant was gorgeous! Spacious, clean, and there's an outdoor seating area that's nice this time of year. The staff was also incredibly nice and helpful throughout our experience. The food was good! My husband and I shared Texas twinkies and brisket Mac and cheese. The Texas twinkies were good! Loved the cream cheese and brisket filling, and the peppers were HUGE! I felt like the peppers needed to be slightly softer, and the bacon wrapped around them was a little too seasoned, but all in all a 9/10! Now, the Mac and cheese was GLORIOUS. Lots of brisket and you can add other toppings if you like. Cheesy and delicious. My son got brisket with a side of Mac and cheese and French fries. He didn't like the brisket as much as my husband and I did, but loved both sides. He said he liked his brisket with more fat. To each his own! We got a to go chicken fried steak for our other son, and it looked amazing! I can't speak for how it tasted, but if looks mean anything, I'm sure it was amazing. All in all, our food was good! The price was about what we expected, and we will return. Nice job! read more

We are from out of town and have eaten here twice. I plan on going back every time I'm in town! I absolutely love their burgers and fries, the BBQ is amazing and great sides!!! The service is fantastic too! I highly recommend!!! It's a lovely, comfortable place and so clean! read more

I promise, this place is worth traveling for. We got to try almost all the menu items and every single this was unforgettable. The meats were moist and flavorful, especially the brisket and turkey. Sausage was probably the best ive ever had. All of their sides were delicious. Im not a BBQ junkie, or really a foodie, but this left an impression on me. I live almost 2 hours away but travel through often. I would drive there just for lunch. It was that good. read more

Excellent ambiance. Nice place and friendly staff. Chicken salad was huge and delicious. You pick salad ingredients. Friend was disappointed that they were out of ribs on a Saturday afternoon. We will be back! read more

Stopped here on 3/3/26, ordered 2 meat plate w/brisket ,sausage, mac&cheese and potato salad. 2 slices of brisket that were dry and very hard, the sausage was dry also. Potato salad had no flavor the mac&cheese was bland. Had a chopped beef sandwich too which was really dry also. For $35 I was really disappointed and will not be going back! What ashame! read more

Amazing food. Mac isn't a normal Mac but it's good. Service is fast and happy. Very modern look and great bathrooms.

Brisket Grilled Cheese is phenomenal and if you like jalapeno don't leave without a Texas Twinkie. A great addition to Buna, but it's much more than just that. read more

I have eaten bbq all over the United States. I have eaten at Franklin BBQ in Austin, Myron Mixon's in Gatlinburg, Slow Bones Bones Dallas just to mention a few. Black Gold is by far and away the best. read more

Average bbq with nothing special sides. The building itself is spectacular, clean and very professional looking. The staff was super frendly and attentive. We tried 4 meats and 4 sides. As travelers who eats top rated bbq at many locations, a little bit of attention to the sides can make a huge difference. I hope they improve. Will try back next year. read more

Stopped in to try their brisket. I bought 2 pounds of brisket with sauce.. The meat had fat all over it and was a little tough.. Over $70.00 wasted, but the dog enjoyed it. Never again. read more

If you are anywhere close to this restaurant, stop here! Everything we ordered (turkey, brisket and ribs) were awesome. Sides were fantastic and the service was excellent. read more

We stopped for a quick dinner and what we had been told about Black Gold was spot on. Amazing food and great service! The restaurant itself looks new and it's spotless! We'll be back!! read more

Ya'll need to up the stars for this one..amazingly delicious. I like the fatty brisket-oh my- they give you the option of fatty or not..but THAT PORK BELLY!!! Holy schnikies!!! Talk about melt in your mouth...everyone is very welcoming and accommodating, the variety..you couldn't ask for more choices and don't forget dessert! Gorgeous clean building and parking lot..make the drive y'all it's good! read more

We went to Black Gold Bbq shortly after they opened their doors for the 1st time. We saw the homemade jellies, jams, honey and a few other choices on the wall walking up to the counter. We decided on the 2 meat meal. We ordered brisket and ribs. For our sides we ordered coleslaw and fries. It also came with a biscuit which tasted homemade. Even though it was small it was dense and tasty (so filling). The service was fast as we worked our way from the meat station, to the area to pick out sides,on our way to the register we selected a piece of sheet cake with frosting for dessert. After paying, we filled our drinks at the drink station and grabbed a table. The brisket was tender and super delicious. The ribs were good. We enjoyed everything. We've since been back another time and had the same meal as before but had the banana pudding for dessert. My brother and his wife selected the baked beans as a side and said they were delicious. We will have to try those next time. Good, clean place to eat. So far everything has been great. read more

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Great bbq and great sides. Everything was great! .

All meats were lukewarm and swimming in grease. The only thing good was the Texas twinkie.

The food is amazing , Such sweet people to work the front. I loved the inside and this is such a nice place for buna to add. I 100% recommend! read more

Space, ambiance is beautiful and clean, the brisket is excellent, the Texas Twinkie is a must and the mac and cheese is so creamy

Best brisket I have ever had and great service. I will definitely come back. You won't regret it.

I've now been twice. service was good could have been quicker. food was great!!! all the meats were A+ except sausage was a B+. the building was amazing!!! definitely one I'll continue attending. read more

Food is good when they have it. Seems they're always running out of meat. We've been there twice and they were out of ribs the first time, and almost everything the last time. read more