The Best BBQ in Amarillo

Tyler's Barbeque leads for exceptional brisket that draws road-trippers off Interstate 40 and creamed jalapeño corn that regulars order by the pint.

By The Scoop Editorial Team · How we pick · Updated July 2026

Visiting Amarillo? Peak season runs spring and fall, when Amarillo's BBQ fill their best tables fast, so it pays to call ahead.

Tyler's Barbeque

★★★★★ 4.7 · 2432 reviews

Open 11 AM–7 PM most days, closed Sun & Mon

Brisket that stops road trips. Tyler's draws travelers off the interstate and keeps them coming back for beef that earns comparisons to the state's legendary pits. The creamed jalapeño corn has its own following (customers order it by the pint), and the jalapeño cheddar sausage and fall-off-the-bone ribs match the brisket's reputation. Cherry cobbler and bread pudding close meals that start cafeteria-style and finish on butcher paper. The fenced outdoor patio handles dogs, and the kitchen runs steady through dinner. Expect the popular items to sell out by early evening on busy weekdays, and note that mac and cheese sometimes runs short despite the website mention.

"Stopped in on a cross country road trip and we were wildly impressed."Verified review

Best for: Interstate travelers chasing legitimate Texas brisket

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3301 Olsen Blvd, Amarillo

Tyler's Barbeque, BBQ in Amarillo — Tyler's BarbequePhoto: Dani

3301 Olsen Blvd, Amarillo

2No. 2 in Amarillo

Delvin's Restaurant & Catering

★★★★★ 4.8 · 1005 reviews

Open 11 AM–4 PM most days, closed Sun & Mon

Southern barbecue ribs with real smoke legitimacy. Delvin's serves smoked meats that hold their own against any pit in town, with ribs that draw crowds for the Saturday turkey and dressing special and a weekday rotation built on brisket, turkey, and catfish done right. The sweet potato casserole earns as much praise as the smoked meats, and the buttermilk pie closes lunch plates that run large enough to share. The dining room stays welcoming, portions stay generous, and the kitchen balances barbecue tradition with Southern soul food confidence.

"Best Barbeque in Amarillo and their sweet potato casserole is the best in the world to me…"Verified review

Best for: Southern-style smoked meats with standout sides

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1300 N Hughes St, Amarillo

Delvin's Restaurant & Catering, BBQ in Amarillo — Delvin's Restaurant & CateringPhoto: Nathan Roy

1300 N Hughes St, Amarillo

3No. 3 in Amarillo

Spicy Mike's Bar-B-Q Haven

★★★★★ 4.6 · 1059 reviews

Open 11 AM–8 PM, closed Sun & Mon & Tue

Ribs that fall off the bone without losing structure. Spicy Mike's balances smoke and seasoning to deliver tender meats at portions that feel fair for the price. The banana pudding has its own reputation, the mac and cheese and Texan potato salad back up the ribs and chopped brisket, and the dog-friendly back patio keeps the vibe relaxed. Service stays quick and welcoming across visits.

"REAL BBQ, just how you'd like it. Second, the service is friendly and fast…"Verified review

Best for: Consistent ribs and friendly service without the wait

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6723 S Western St #4145, Amarillo

Spicy Mike's Bar-B-Q Haven, BBQ in Amarillo — Spicy Mike's Bar-B-Q HavenPhoto: Ron Foley

6723 S Western St #4145, Amarillo

4No. 4 in Amarillo

Nine Line BBQ

★★★★★ 4.8 · 272 reviews

Open 11 AM–8 PM, closed Sun & Mon

Veteran-run barbecue built on brisket that needs no sauce. The sliced and chopped sandwiches, pulled pork, and spare ribs come with smoked mac and cheese and baked beans that match the meats for smoke depth. The jalapeño-cheddar sausage and banana pudding round out the menu. Drive-thru handles grab-and-go.

"The brisket and pulled pork were very tender and savory. Our server was very kind and very attentive."Verified review

Best for: No-sauce-needed brisket with smoked sides to match

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5920 Hillside Rd, Amarillo

Nine Line BBQ, BBQ in Amarillo — Nine Line BBQPhoto: D Scott Cook

5920 Hillside Rd, Amarillo

5No. 5 in Amarillo

Dyer's Bar-B-Que

★★★★★ 4.4 · 2095 reviews

Open 11 AM–9 PM daily

Ribs anchor the menu when available, though they sell out most Saturday evenings. The brisket, pulled pork (served unsauced on request), and sausage combo plates deliver tender meat at portions that leave tables satisfied, and the pinto beans and apricot-spread toast add texture to plates that skew traditional. The bar atmosphere leans dark and old-school, service stays professional, and the pricing holds steady across a menu built for regulars.

"Got the ribs and was blown away with the flavour and tenderness."Verified review

Best for: Classic bar-style ribs and pulled pork combo plates

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1619 S Kentucky St E #526, Amarillo

Dyer's Bar-B-Que, BBQ in Amarillo — Dyer's Bar-B-QuePhoto: Rick White

1619 S Kentucky St E #526, Amarillo

How Amarillo's Top BBQ Compare

How Amarillo's top BBQ compare across key factors
Business	Price	Hours	Known for
Tyler's Barbeque Top Pick	Moderate	11 AM–7 PM	Interstate travelers chasing legitimate Texas brisket

Delvin's Restaurant & Catering	Moderate	11 AM–4 PM	Southern-style smoked meats with standout sides
Spicy Mike's Bar-B-Q Haven	Moderate	11 AM–8 PM	Consistent ribs and friendly service without the wait
Nine Line BBQ	Not listed	11 AM–8 PM	No-sauce-needed brisket with smoked sides to match
Dyer's Bar-B-Que	Moderate	11 AM–9 PM	Classic bar-style ribs and pulled pork combo plates

What People Are Saying

37% of Tyler's Barbeque reviews mention the brisket.

★★★★★

Tyler's stood above the rest. I'll be making the drive back down from Montana someday, and Tyler's will absolutely be on the itinerary.

Tyler's Barbeque

★★★★★

Portions are great, iced tea was fresh; restaurant was clean and inviting…

Spicy Mike's Bar-B-Q Haven

★★★★★

Ive been searching for the best southern BBQ ribs in Amarillo, and this is it…

Delvin's Restaurant & Catering

Eating BBQ in Amarillo

Barbecue demand in Amarillo holds steady through all four seasons, driven by the city's cattle industry roots and position on Interstate 40 where road-trippers seek legitimate Texas brisket. The high plains climate with wide daily temperature swings and powerful winds favors indoor smoking operations over seasonal outdoor pits, and the leading kitchens skew toward Central Texas brisket traditions rather than regional variations. Spring and fall bring peak traffic from travelers heading to Palo Duro Canyon, while winter northers and summer heat keep locals hunting for consistent smoke and tender meats year-round across the metro and surrounding Panhandle towns.

What to Know Before You Choose

Look for brisket with a dark bark and visible smoke ring that stays moist without drowning in sauce. The best pits serve meat that pulls apart with gentle pressure but holds its structure on the plate.
Ribs should release cleanly from the bone without falling apart before they reach your mouth. Dry rub quality matters more than sauce selection.
Sides reveal kitchen skill. Smoked or house-made sides (creamed corn, baked beans, mac and cheese) signal a serious operation; generic deli sides suggest a focus elsewhere.
Cafeteria-style service with butcher paper usually means high volume and fresh turnover. Counter ordering with visible smokers builds confidence.
Sell-out times tell you what's worth ordering. If ribs or brisket disappear by early evening, that's the item drawing regulars.
Ask whether pulled pork comes sauced or dry. Unsauced lets you taste the smoke and judge the meat on its own merit.
Road-trip stops near I-40 or Route 66 often balance speed with quality for travelers. Veteran or family ownership tends to correlate with consistency across visits.
Dog-friendly patios and drive-thru options add convenience without compromising smoke quality if the meat reputation holds across service formats.

Questions Amarillo Locals Ask

Who has the best brisket in Amarillo?

Tyler's Barbeque earns the brisket crown with beef that draws interstate travelers and earns comparisons to the state's legendary pits. The meat stays tender and juicy without relying on sauce, and road-trippers regularly detour off I-40 specifically for it. Nine Line BBQ also delivers brisket that needs no sauce assistance, backed by smoked sides that match the meat quality.

Which Amarillo barbecue spot has the best ribs?

Spicy Mike's delivers fall-off-the-bone ribs with signature smoke and seasoning that keep customers coming back. Delvin's Restaurant serves Southern-style smoked ribs with real pit legitimacy, especially during their Saturday specials. Dyer's Bar-B-Que is known for ribs when available, though they frequently sell out by early evening on weekends.

What sides should I order at Amarillo barbecue joints?

Tyler's creamed jalapeño corn has customers ordering it by the pint and earns as much praise as the brisket. Delvin's sweet potato casserole rivals any in the Panhandle, and Nine Line's smoked mac and cheese brings the same smoke depth as their meats. Spicy Mike's banana pudding functions as both side and dessert, and Dyer's pinto beans with apricot-spread toast add traditional Texas texture.

Do Amarillo barbecue restaurants sell out of popular items?

Tyler's can run out of mac and cheese by early evening on busy weekdays. Dyer's ribs frequently sell out by Saturday evening. Arrive before the dinner rush if you want the full menu, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays when demand peaks.

Which Amarillo BBQ spots are good for road trips and travelers?

Tyler's Barbeque sits just off Interstate 40 on Olsen Boulevard and built its reputation pulling road-trippers off the highway for brisket and jalapeño corn. The cafeteria-style service moves fast, portions satisfy long drives, and the dog-friendly patio handles travel companions. Nine Line offers drive-thru convenience on Hillside Road for grab-and-go orders without leaving the vehicle.

Are there veteran-owned barbecue restaurants in Amarillo?

Nine Line BBQ is veteran-owned and the local ownership story resonates strongly with customers. The kitchen delivers consistent brisket, ribs, and smoked sides from both the Hillside Road location and a food truck that services construction sites around Amarillo. The rustic dining room stays clean and the service goes above expectations across visits.

What's the barbecue scene like in Amarillo compared to other Texas cities?

Amarillo's high plains location and cattle industry history built a barbecue culture rooted in beef brisket and traditional Central Texas smoking techniques. The top pits compete with any in the state for brisket quality, and pricing stays more accessible than Austin or Dallas. Interstate 40 traffic brings barbecue tourists year-round, keeping standards high and competition sharp across the Panhandle's leading smokehouses.

Do Amarillo barbecue restaurants have outdoor seating for warm weather?

Tyler's offers a fenced outdoor patio that welcomes dogs and handles the spring and fall shoulder seasons when Panhandle weather cooperates. Spicy Mike's has a dog-friendly back patio that stays popular when temperatures moderate. Most spots focus on indoor dining to handle Amarillo's unpredictable weather swings, powerful winds, and temperature extremes that make year-round patio service challenging at this elevation.

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