It's Labor Day. I'm driving back from Granbury to Hutto, and I think about my Texas Monthly…read morepassport. I'm addicted to stamps. I'm addicted to putting points on the board. What BBQ place on the list happens to be open on a Monday (and quite frankly, seven days a week)? Miller's Smokehouse in Belton. Miller's Smokehouse has one of the longest tenures on the Texas Monthly Top 50, making the list four times in a row (the third-highest behind Louie Mueller and Snow's). They've got their business down. As I arrived, I parked in a free parking lot just across the street and got into the line around 12:30. The line moves pretty efficiently, and you order separately from the barbecue line. I think this immediately felt disheartening as a barbecue fan. You kinda expect to get your food while in line and watch the assembly of workers put it together, instead of them being in a separate location in the back giving you order numbers. It doesn't feel like a true Texas barbecue experience and more like a Dickey's Barbecue Pit. Instead of going for a tray, I opted for one of their specialty sandwiches, the El Gallo Picante. It has their spicy hot link sausage and their smoked chicken topped with coleslaw, onions, jalapeños, pickles, and barbecue sauce. I also got a side of their broccoli salad out of curiosity and a roll of their homemade cornbread. I got my drink and sat down with my roll of cornbread. It wasn't long until my tray came to me. The sandwich stood on its own as a behemoth. So much chicken and sausage fell out of the bun. The sandwich was less concerned about being a sandwich and more focused on creating a space to try and contain a mixture of ingredients. It wasn't bad, but it was hard to say anything other than that I felt uninspired by the entire thing. The sausage was fine, the chicken was kinda dry, but everything together with all the separate ingredients masked the meats' faults. The broccoli salad was a unique side that I had never seen before at a barbecue joint, so I wanted to try it. It was cool, but not something I'd get again. As for the cornbread, it was quality, but if that's the most impressive part of the meal, then I'm questioning the establishment's ability to create a good barbecue experience. I think it's so cool to have so many special barbecue places near me and the ability to try so many, but I'm starting to wonder if the places that stay on the list for four editions start to lose their oomph. Do they become complacent knowing they already have their business and are established? Is there any need to try and push the envelope when you're just a recurring guest on top barbecue lists? Is it a me issue? Is it my fault I went to Burnt Bean a week prior and now I'm trying a place that sells all-day barbecue? With your big brick-and-mortar and your TV screen menus, you're not as hungry as you used to be.

I really like this place. Second time visiting, and they hit the mark for me again. I had the…read morepulled pork sandwich with a side of coleslaw. My family tried the ribs and enjoyed them as well. The restaurant has a cool vibe, and downtown is super cute. The service was friendly and didn't take long to get our food. Highly recommend!

We were visiting Bremond and my sister mentioned getting some rib tips. I don't get ribs but I saw…read morethat they had fried chicken wings so I got a wing basket. The prices are very reasonable for the amount of food to get. I got maybe 6 or 8 wings, fries, a slice of bread and a bottled water for $10. My sister got fried ribs for $10. I didn't expect the wings to be battered. They looked good. The fries were by far my favorite part. They were fresh, hot, crispy, and well seasoned. The wings were seasoned and crispy as well. But they weren't made fresh to order. Had they been fresh and hot they would've been even tastier. But it was nice that we got our food quickly. The lady taking our order was super sweet. She stands outside to take your order. It looks like they may have some outdoor seating. They also had a port o potty if desperate times are calling for desperate measures. It was such a cute down home place. I'll be taking my husband back to try it out.

Wow. Wings and ribs. Small shack in Marlin, it's a really quick stop off highway 6. Love the batter…read moreflavor. The seasoning on the fries is awesome. Dipping in hot sauce tops it off. Not greasy at all, I believe a sign says they use soy oil. Who doesn't want a happy tummy???

Saw a few new items on the menu today and thought I'd give the chicken quesadillas a try…read more excellent!! Next will be the fish and chips. Really enjoy the neighborhood vibe Good job!

A random pick unsure of where to lunch, but it was great. Staff all super friendly, and plenty of…read moreseating outside in the shade. Had sort of a roadhouse feel to it, and definitely got busy as the lunch hour progressed. Had a couple beers, the brisket Philly, a frito pie and side of Mac and cheese. Really wanted the brisket queso too, but chickened out as I already ordered quite a bit. Will get it next time though, the brisket in the Philly was delicious. Entered a raffle with an older couple for a pistol on the way out, which I wasn't expecting, but as the elderly gentlemen said, one can never have too many firearms. Fingers crossed I guess lol all around a fun stop for lunch.

Tremendous BBQ experience here today!…read more Came from Austin, about an hour drive. Arrived around 10:20am. The line was short for early March, weather was fantastic. We ordered and got our food within 10mins of being there. All was so delicious, the brisket, the pork shoulder, sausages were amazing, ribs 10/10. The sauce was just so yummy! Potato salad was a hit and the banana pudding cannot be skipped! Plenty of seating, all outside and under covering. Classic bbq ambiance! Just loved it all!! Snow's is a real treat and lives up to the hype! Got to meet Ms Tootsie too!! You gotta visit!!

I finally got a chance to visit Snow's bbq. And wow what an experience. Drove in from houston. So…read moreabout a 2 hour drive to get here. Arrived around 9am and there was about 60 people in line. We ordered a lot of stuff for a group of ten people. The pork steak, chicken, brisket, jalapeño cheddar sausage, reg sausage, pork ribs. The sides were bbq beans, potato salad, Cole slaw. And also came with white bread, onions, pickles, and jalapenos. The pork steak was incredible! I've never had pork steak like that before. The brisket was nice and fatty. The potato salad reminded me of grade school in a good way. I got a photo with tootsie as well. What a great bbq experience. Recommendation: pork steak, brisket, and chicken

Food was awesomesauce, got ribs, brisket, burnt ends, sausage, and sides like the fatty I am. Got…read moresome seasoning too. Then was greeted by very nice workers who very much wanted me to have peach Cobbler. #TammyandStevenaredaGOATSofTerryBlacksBBQWaco

Gabby made my dine in experience so much better. Thanks to her for being such a nice person!read more

Wow, do not pass up this hidden gem. AMAZING FOOD, if you're gonna serve mexican street corn at a…read moreBBQ joint in texas you better be dang sure it's awesome and it blew my head off 10/10!!! Brisket is phenomenal, and for the price of $24 for a rookie you get plenty full with some to spare for a late night snack. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. JUST COME.

Everything was good Overpriced…read moreOne style of barbecue sauce Overpriced means no tip, Beer needs to be ice cold Servers were nice

We used Helberg to cater our wedding and it was lovely! The food is delicious. We had the brisket,…read moresausage, chicken, slaw, potato salad, Mac n cheese, and banana pudding as well as drinks. Anna is so kind and laid back and handled everything we needed. We went to the restaurant for a tasting before and it's also great. Their restaurant version of the chicken is the best chicken ever.

Easily top 2 barbecues I've had in my life only second to Hutchins in Frisco. Plus the new building…read moreis absolutely perfect and essentially a bbq warehouse. The brisket is divine, wings were so crispy even though they were smoked, and the sides were all perfect. The only downside was they were literally out of EVERYTHING else besides what you see here hahahaha. We will be back!!

Absolutely on point. Healthy servings and flat out delicious! This hidden gem is worth it!read more

The best BBQ I've ever had, anywhere. It is a special treat to order a meal from Hecho, especially…read morewhen we have out-of-town guests. They are always likewise impressed.

Passing Through Waco or Mart, Texas? Check out Joey's…read more@victoriansbarbecue Insanely great bbq and in a business where sides can often be meh... these are some of the best and unique sides I've ever had! He's killing it. If you get the chance to check out Victorian's Barbecue, you will not be disappointed!

Food - brisket on the dry and fall apart side. Sausage was good. Mac and cheese was far from good…read morerunny sauce, bland flavor. Service was great and positive. Ambiance was nice well lit. Bathroom needed some attention. 6.5 out of 10

Absolutely the best BBQ! Incredible service and such a…read morewelcoming, heartfelt place. If we travel between Dallas and Austin again -- this stop is a must!

TLDR: If you want BBQ and you are in Waco go here. Upon…read morearrival the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making it feel like I was walking into their home. I ordered a 3 meat plate and got 2 brisket and 1 chicken as well as smoked cabbage and smoked mac n cheese. The prices were very fare and the whole trip was less than 30 dollars. The food was absolutely incredible. To start there is so much food you easily get 2 meals out of it. I've never had chicken melt the way this chicken did, incredibly tender with great flavor. The brisket was just as great and just made me blown away that they have mastered so many meats. The smoked cabbage was one of the best sides i've ever had, flavor almost reminds me of smoked green beans. The mac was incredible like the rest of the food. After our meal we spent some time taking to the owners who made me want to stay in Waco just so I could be a regular. To the owners, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the bbq and the experience. If i'm back in Waco this will be my first stop.