Drive through any part of Amarillo and you’ll notice the regular appearance of rustic, Western-style buildings. The down-home decór (and the pickup trucks in the parking lot) communicate one thing: This is a place for incredible barbecue.
Around here, being a brisket or rib connoisseur isn’t just a hobby. It’s practically genetic. And in the Texas Panhandle, where millions of cattle are on feed and several restaurants have earned statewide acclaim, the options are as diverse as ways to spell barbecue. (We’ll also accept barbeque, BBQ, and bar-b-que.) In no particular order, here are our top picks for the best barbecue in Amarillo.
Tyler’s Barbeque
3301 Olsen Blvd., 806-331-2271
Despite Amarillo’s distance from Austin, Texas Monthly has touted Tyler’s Barbeque as one of the best joints in this part of the state. Tyler’s is known for its brisket, ribs and sides. Don’t worry about having to choose between these options—with a dinner plate, customers can sample one to four types of smoked meats, along with a couple of side dishes and, of course, a slab of Texas toast. The roster of sides is deep, but the jalapeño cream corn and green chile stew are hard to beat.
Pro Tip: Those platters can be filling, but save room for the bread pudding.
Crazy Larry’s
4315 Teckla Blvd., 806-359-3176
After recovering from fire damage in early 2024, Crazy Larry’s reopened to a steady, built-in customer base who needed their fix of chopped brisket and some of the best beans in the city. You’re likely to encounter Larry himself at the drive-thru window. (He’s the one with the epic ’80s-rocker hair.) Every meal here feels like a family reunion.
Pro Tip: The “famous Frito pies” are legendary in Amarillo, piled high with chopped brisket, beans, a kicky sauce and melted cheese. To up the game even more, “make it a moose” by adding chili to the pile. For the record, Larry insists you can only wash down a Frito pie with a Big Red soda.
Spicy Mike’s Bar-B-Q Haven
6723 S. Western St., Suite 4145, 806-358-8550
A secret combination of bold and smoky flavors ensure Spicy Mike’s lives up to its name. This restaurant has only been around since 2012, but quickly became an institution on the city’s south side. Our readers are partial to the barbecue sandwiches—The Bub is a local favorite—and the multi-meat platters are popular, too. Look for daily specials Wednesday through Saturday. As Mike says, it’s hard to be sad when you have a heaping helping of barbecue in front of you.
Pro Tip: Chase that spice with something sweet, like peach cobbler, banana pudding or Nita Jo’s strawberry cake.
Dyer’s BBQ
1619 S. Kentucky St., Suite E-526, 806-358-7104
Originating in nearby Pampa, this family-style barbecue restaurant is known for made-from-scratch recipes, generous portions and fair prices. It offers the friendly service of a small-town restaurant, and unlike a few others in the category, Dyer’s is open every day of the week. The smoked meats are always excellent, but the catfish is also a local favorite—especially after 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, when catfish is served family-style and all-you-can-eat.
Pro Tip: Barbecue plates are usually paired with sides like potato salad or coleslaw, but the thick, crispy onion rings at Dyer’s are battered and fried to perfection. Seriously, people drive into Amarillo just for the onion rings.
Doug’s Hickory Pit Bar-B-Q
3313 S. Georgia St., 806-352-8471
It’s easy to miss this iconic little restaurant, because literally a whole shopping center has been built up around it. Doug’s stayed put, ending up with a small, narrow, fire-red building from the 1950s wedged up against the back of a dentist’s office. And when it closed in late 2024, the community outcry was immediate. Thankfully, new owners come from the same family expertise as the original, which opened in 1958. This family-owned business is as authentic as they come.
Pro Tip: Doug’s peppery barbecue sauce is rightfully beloved, serving as the perfect compliment to a chopped brisket sandwich. Always get extra sauce.
Nine Line BBQ
5920 Hillside Road, 806-779-5463
A relative newcomer on Amarillo’s roster of barbecue joints, Nine Line is owned and operated by veterans—offering discounts to military and first responders—and boasts certification from the award-winning Butcher BBQ brand. Like many local barbecue joints, Nine Line is first-come, first-served, closing for the day after it runs out of food. (Which happens just as often as you might think!)
Pro Tip: We regularly hear raves about Nine Line’s smoked mac-and-cheese. The smoked meatloaf is another highlight, only available on the first Tuesday of every month. Mark your calendar!
Pork N Things
10816 SE Third Ave., 806-699-7675
After starting in the competition world, and then launching a food truck, Denny Antel turned Pork N Things into a legit restaurant with one of the best outdoor patio/beer garden setups in the city. Located on the eastern edge of town in a historic former supper club building, Pork N Things regularly serves up live music alongside its falling-off-the-bone ribs and tender brisket, with must-try sides like green chile hominy.
Pro Tip: Dining with a group? Try the TX Charcuterie, which feeds four hungry adults. This two-pound sampler includes multiple proteins—everything but the ribs—with a choice of four family sides. It’s a lot of food. The Coke floats, in various flavors, are pure nostalgia.
Delvin’s Restaurant
1300 N. Hughes St., 806-310-9410
This North Heights mainstay draws downtown workers on a daily basis for classic barbecue and homestyle soul food. This is no hole-in-the-wall. Delvin’s has a surprisingly robust menu—including catfish, brisket, fried ribs, barbecue sandwiches and plenty of options for sides. Everything is made from scratch and everyone leaves happy.
Pro Tip: If you miss grandma’s cooking, we recommend the sweet potato casserole and buttermilk pie. These must be what hugs taste like.
Shi Lee’s BBQ & Soul Food Cafe
1213 SW Third Ave., 806-220-0032
Don’t let the industrial surroundings fool you. Shi-Lee’s may not look like much, but the reputation of this little cafe is huge due to the outsized personality and local generosity of proprietor Tremaine Brown. His rich and flavorful meals are bursting with flavor and tradition, from the salisbury steak to the chicken-fried chicken to the smoked brisket.
Pro Tip: This is true southern-style soul food, right down to regular specials including gumbo, pigs’ feet, oxtail, neck bones and more.
