The Incredible Story of Goldee’s, the New No. 1 Best Barbecue Joint In All of Texas

Every time Texas Monthly releases its new 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas (which only happens every four years), it re-stokes the flames of BBQ rivalries among cities and regions. Finding your name on this list is an honor to be sure. As well as a game changer, which translates into more than a little boost to the business of these hardworking pitmasters who get the nod. And no barbecue place in Texas has more to be proud of than Fort Worth’s unassuming Goldee’s, which comes in as the new surprise No. 1.

Fort Worth holds major bragging rights today. It is home to the No. 1 and No. 10 barbecue spots in the entire state, plus three more in the Top 50 list.

Inside Goldee’s Win

The three upstarts behind Goldee’s — Lane Milne, Jalen Heard and Jonny White, (who quickly added two more pitmasters to the crew in Nuphon Inthanousay and PJ Inthanousay) — all had serious barbecue cred by the time they struck out on their own. They learned the ropes at the likes of Franklin Barbecue (ranked No. 7), Truth BBQ (ranked No. 3) and Terry Black’s Barbecue (whose Dallas outpost is ranked in the Top 50).

When Goldee’s first opened up on the outskirts of Fort Worth (near the Everman/Kennedale line) in February of 2020, they had no idea the hardships that awaited them. You see Goldee’s Barbecue opened just weeks before much of the world shutdown in March of 2020. The fact that they survived at all is worthy of a trophy.

Goldee’s does not even have a prime location to hang their hopes on. In fact, you might need Siri’s help to get you there, down a nearly deserted stretch of Dick Price Road.

I hate to say I told you so, but here goes. When I first wrote about Goldee’s for PaperCity Fort Worth in early March of 2020, I called it:

“If you haven’t heard of Goldee’s Barbecue yet, you soon will. In fact, the upstart spot — which just opened two weeks ago in southeast Fort Worth, near the juncture of Everman and Kennedale — may soon be all you’re hearing about.

“I’ll bet you a brisket slice to a burnt end that Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn will be paying Goldee’s a visit and giving its ‘cue a long, hard look for his next statewide rankings.”

Panther City BBQ Takes The 10th Spot

Panther City Pitmasters Earnest Morales and Chris Magallanes took over where Heim BBQ left off, literally, setting up their trailer next door to Republic Bar at 201 E. Hattie Street in 2018, before gaining a fast following and building a covered outdoor seating area attached to their caged smokehouse.

If those three trusty smokers weren’t already filled to capacity, they sure will be now that the word is out statewide.

Panther City BBQ’s brisket is simply perfection and its brisket topped elote has become legendary ― a house blend of creamed corn, topped with queso fresco, cilantro, hot sauce, topped with prime brisket and garnished with a jalapeño and lime. Panther City has expanded to include grilled brisket stuffed Flaco Tacos — and to teaching its techniques to weekend warriors in regular barbecue classes as well.

Also, on the Texas Monthly Top 50 List you’ll find Arlington’s Hurtado Barbecue, which opened in 2020 with a unique Tex-Mex spin. Dayne’s Craft Barbecue, located at Lola’s Trailer Park near Montgomery Plaza, brings a creative blueberry and gouda sausage that earned a mention. Of Derrick Walker’s Smoke-A-Holics BBQ on Evans Avenue, barbecue editor Daniel Vaugh writes: “The fatty, crispy rib tips are a must.”

It’s a good day to be a barbecue fan in Fort Worth. A historic day.