BBQ News
2 San Antonio pitmasters join buzzy new Lone Star Smokeout BBQ festival
The state's best pitmasters are coming together for a new BBQ fest right in the middle of the DFW area: Called the Lone Star Smokeout, it's a 3-day event combining BBQ and country music that'll debut outside of the AT&T Stadium in Arlington in May.
According to a release, the three-day event will take place from May 2-4, with BBQ staples from 14 pitmasters, live music performances from country music acts, and other retail pop-ups and sponsor activations. It's an offshoot of the Windy City Smokeout, an award-winning annual festival in Chicago from Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants.
Two of the pitmasters are from San Antonio, and they're some of the most decorated on the lineup: two-time James Beard-nominated and Michelin-recommended 2M Smokehouse, and two-time James Beard semifinalist Curry Boys BBQ.
Of the remaining 12 pitmasters, eight are from Texas, and five are from nearby in DFW, as follows:
- Dayne’s Craft Barbeque from Aledo
- Hurtado Barbecue from Arlington
- The Original Roy Hutchins Barbeque from Trophy Club
- Michelin-recommended Panther City BBQ from Fort Worth
- Slow Bone BBQ from Dallas
- Rossler’s Blue Cord Barbecue from Harker Heights
- The Salt Lick BBQ from Driftwood
- The Original Black’s BBQ from Lockhart
- Little Miss BBQ from Phoenix
- Meat Mitch Barbecue from Leawood, Kansas
- Pappy’s Smokehouse from St. Louis, Missouri
- Wright’s Barbecue from Fayetteville, Arkansas
Each featured BBQ vendor will be selling two items throughout the festival.
In a statement, Lone Star Smokeout Culinary Director Max Robbins says the festival is about highlighting the influence of Texas BBQ.
Featured in publications such as Rolling Stone, USA Today, and Forbes, the Windy City Smokeout was created in 2013 and is operated by Lettuce Entertain You, an independent, family-owned restaurant group based in Chicago that owns, manages, and licenses more than 120 restaurants nationwide.
Lone Star Smokeout already announced its daily music lineup, as follows:
- Friday, May 2: Cody Jinks, Randy Rogers Band, Josh Meloy, Ian Harrison, Grace Tyler, JoJo DiSalvo
- Saturday, May 3: Jon Pardi, Dylan Gossett, Tucker Wetmore, Tanner Adell, Lauren Watkins, Catie Offerman
- Sunday, May 4: Midland, Wyatt Flores, DJ Pauly D, Eli Young Band, Hudson Westbrook, Kaitlin Butts, Kashus Culpepper
They'll also serve cocktails and beer plus pop-ups from Tecovas, Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott, Hale House Boutique, and a custom hat bar Flea Style.
General admission tickets start at $68, while a weekend pass is $177. The admission price does not cover food. VIP tickets start at $546 and get the food inclusive, plus amenities such as climate-controlled and shaded viewing areas, air-conditioned bathrooms, and reserved parking.
