Profile

Big Al's Smokehouse BBQ is a Dallas institution, renowned for its tender, smoky meats and traditional BBQ favorites. The restaurant's commitment to using only the finest ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques has earned it a loyal following and numerous accolades, including Pitmaster Awards. The menu features an array of mouth-watering options, including brisket, sausage, turkey, ribs, and chicken, all smoked to perfection using a combination of oak and hickory woods in their offset smoker. Sides like coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, and mac and cheese complement the meats perfectly, while the secret sauce adds an extra layer of flavor to each dish.

The atmosphere at Big Al's is casual and welcoming, with outdoor seating and a bar serving up craft beers. The staff is friendly and helpful, with many reviewers praising the service and recommending specific dishes. Despite the often-long lines and tendency to sell out, the restaurant's online ordering system and catering services make it easy to enjoy Big Al's BBQ at home or at an event. With its rich flavors, generous portions, and down-home hospitality, Big Al's Smokehouse BBQ has become a bucket-list stop for BBQ lovers and a staple of the Dallas food scene. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Big Al's is a must-visit destination for anyone craving authentic, delicious Texas-style BBQ.

Reviews

5 Comments

Overall Rating ★★★★★ 3.8

Eric McDowell (Google)

★★★★★

Atmosphere was great, service was great, food was beyond disappointing, especially for the price. The most dry brisket I've ever had, and the chicken wasn't much better. Flavor was good but both were severely overcooked. Sausage and sides were great, though! Just nowhere near where it should be for $25/person.

Osvaldo Patino (Google)

★★★★★

Saw this place near my hotel. The staff was super helpful. The guy cutting the meat recommended this. The brisket was okay, but the baked potato could have been more hot. It was under $25, so it was not too bad compared to Terry Blacks.

Cory Hinojosa (Google)

★★★★★

If you're looking for Texas BBQ, this ain't it. This is like fast food BBQ. Went for lunch and ordered the BBQ dinner with chicken and brisket. The meat was cold and dry like it had been sitting out, very disappointing. You can tell they don't have a good system down to keep it fresh. The roll they gave me was also rock hard, sides were ok, but nothing special. Definitely won't be back.

J Cooper (Google)

★★★★★

OMG - best BBQ in the town!! When I judge BBQ, I taste the meats with no sauce to evaluate the quality of the base cook, moisture and flavor. Then I taste with sauces. This place is 1000% worth the 50 years in business!!GO!! GO!! GO!!Yes, each meat is awesome, and the turkey is moist - not dry like 90% of other chains (or inexperienced places who not it pit masters). These guys have mastered BBQ -Texas style!!!!The 'fatty brisket' is highly trimmed and has no gristle or 2 inch fat belt like other places. Big Al's is moist - no visible fat and succulent!!! DO NOT GET LEAN BRISKET!!! The fatty brisket is not what you get at other places!!!! This is what you want to ask for - and try to get some of the chard bark too!!! (I did - awesome!!)FYI- go there in off hours. Lunch can have no parking within 2 blocks and lines out the door. (No kidding.) But it's absolutely worth the wait!!!I've revamped my top 3 BBQ places in Big D... and they are now #1. Congratulations!!!! And well deserved!!!

Ken Cruz (Google)

★★★★★

Big Al's brisket is amazing! My friends and I ordered the dinner plate and everything we chose was fantastic! I ordered a double brisket and turkey with pinto beans and jalapeño , creamed corn, and the apple pie! My only gripe was that the portions given were a bit meager for an $18 plate. Nonetheless, everything tasted great!Inhaled it! I tried both the spicy and regular barbecue sauce and they were awesome! Their food is certainly legendary! The place was packed as it was their 50th anniversary and a tv crew was there to help celebrate the event. I'd definitely recommend this place and come back for more!