Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Tickets Go On Sale Thursday, Aug. 10

AUSTIN, TX — Texas barbecue lovers, rejoice: Ticket sales for the eighth annual Texas Monthly BBQ Fest go on sale Thursday.

The event celebrating the magazine's Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas list will host 31 barbecue restaurants from across the state — including Austin's own Franklin Barbecue, La Barbecue, Micklethwait Craft Meats, Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew, Terry Black's Barbecue and Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ. The event is scheduled for Nov. 5.

It's a popular event that sells out every year, drawing a crowd from across the state to Austin in celebrating the glory that is barbecue, according to organizers.

The magazine released its exhaustively researched compilation of the state's best barbecue joints in June as something of a precursor to the annual BBQ Fest. The celebration will begin Nov. 4 with the Brisket Brunch along with an educational event titled 'Cue Course. The festival itself will be staged the following Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W Riverside Dr.

The kickoff Brisket Brunch will take place at Juliet Italian Kitchen, 1500 Barton Springs Rd., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The special menu will feature a culinary collaboration between Juliet’s executive chef, Jacob Weaver, and pitmaster Leonard Botello IV of TRUTH Barbeque, ranked #10 on the Texas Monthly list from Brenham, Texas. Tickets are $85 per person for a meaty brunch menu with cocktails included, according to organizers.

Following that is the ‘Cue Course, a new BBQ educational experience taking place at Terry Black’s Barbecue at 1003 Barton Springs Rd. Hosted by Texas Monthly’s Barbecue Editor Daniel Vaughn, the event will feature certified educators from Texas A&M University’s Meat Science department and notable pitmasters.

Organizers vow the 'Cue Course "...will attract hardcore fans with a deep dive into barbecue education, pit tours, and a smoked-meat meal." Tickets are $125 each, with education, food, and beverages included, according to organizers.

Come Sunday, Nov. 5, the highly anticipated BBQ Fest will be upon us. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., offerings from 31 barbecue restaurants will be featured in making this year's version the biggest one ever.

"Guests are encouraged to sample as much ‘cue as their stomachs will allow, plus enjoy live music, sweet treats, and lawn games," organizers wrote in a press release. "This year’s music stage will feature The Peterson Brothers Band and a headlining trio of three generations of Texas songwriters including Willis Alan Ramsey (best known for “Muskrat Love” and "Northeast Texas Women”), Bruce Robison (best known for “Travelin’ Soldier” and “Angry All the Time”), and Carrie Rodriguez (best known for “I Dreamed I Was Lola Beltran” and “She Ain’t Me”)."

VIP tickets are $165, with general admission priced at $80, and tickets for children ages 10 and under available at $10 each.

For tickets and information about the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Weekend, visit TexasMonthly.com/tmbbqfest. The Texas Monthly BBQ Fest Weekend is sponsored by 44 Farms, Barritt's Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer, Big Red, Legacy Whisky, Lone Star Beer, Jennie-O Turkey, and YETI.

>>> Images courtesy of Texas Monthly magazine