Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry

Burnt Bean Co. 2025 - Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland

Congratulations to Burnt Bean Co. on being selected as the number 1 BBQ joint in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine! We sat down with Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland to talk about their quest for this title and the sacrifices they made to reach the top.

 

This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. BBQ Distro is the home to the best sauces, seasonings, and rubs in all of Texas. No need to wait in line to get a taste of Goldees or Snows. You can make it at home thanks to BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com and use promo code tales10 at checkout for a 10% discount on your order! 

 

Top 50 Predictions 2025

This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. BBQ Distro is the home to the best sauces, seasonings, and rubs in all of Texas. No need to wait in line to get a taste of Goldees or Snows. You can make it at home thanks to BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com and use promo code tales10 at checkout for a 10% discount on your order! 

 

And keep watching our social channels for the epic Top 50 List livestream brought to you by BBQ Distro. We’ll be joined by great guests on May 27th when the big list goes live and the winner of the top ten prediction sweepstakes will be announced live on air!

 

 

We asked you to predict the top ten and in this episode we give you our predictions on who will be number 1, who will make the top ten and who will achieve top 50 status!

 

Tales From the Pits Top 15 2025

This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 and predict who you think will be named the top ten BBQ joints on the upcoming BIG BARBECUE LIST being published by a well known lone star state focused magazine that’s being released in May! Submissions are accepted April 14 - May 14, 2025. Submit your prediction for a chance to win $2,500 in cash in the BBQ Distro sweepstakes! 

Must be at least 18 years of age and a Texas resident to enter, go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 for full rules and eligibility requirements.

 

Also, for a limited time go to

http://bbqdistro.com and use promo code tales10 for a 10% discount on your order of rubs, sauces, apparel and more from BBQ Distro!

 

After many miles and meals, we’ve finally narrowed it down. Tune in to find out our most current ranking of the Top 15 BBQ Spots in Texas!

 

Pitmaster Advice Regarding the Top 50 list

This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 and predict who you think will be named the top ten BBQ joints on the upcoming BIG BARBECUE LIST being published by a well known lone star state focused magazine that’s being released in May! Submissions are accepted April 14 - May 14, 2025. Submit your prediction for a chance to win $2,500 in cash in the BBQ Distro sweepstakes! 

 

Must be at least 18 years of age to enter, go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 for full rules and eligibility requirements.

 

 

Also, for a limited time use promo code tales10 at checkout for a 10% discount on your order of rubs, sauces, apparel and more from BBQ Distro!

 

We were privileged to speak with some of the best in barbecue about what the Texas Monthly Top 50 list has meant to them and their business as well as advice for aspiring business owners.

 

Travis Crawford - Mum Foods

This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 and predict who you think will be named the top ten BBQ joints on the upcoming BIG BARBECUE LIST being published by a well known lone star state focused magazine that’s being released in May! Submissions are accepted April 14 - May 14, 2025. Submit your prediction for a chance to win $2,500 in cash in the BBQ Distro sweepstakes! 

 

Must be at least 18 years of age and a Texas resident to enter, go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 for full rules and eligibility requirements.

 

 

Also, for a limited time enter "tales10" at checkout for a 10% discount on your order of rubs, sauces, apparel and more from BBQ Distro!

 

Travis Crawford grew up with a healthy affinity for direct heat barbecue cooked by his dad. As an adult he began working all over Austin at some of the top barbecue spots and for the last few years has been leading the barbecue program at Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen to much acclaim. Tune in to hear about Travis’ career to date and goals for the future.

 

http://mumfoodsatx.com

 

Restaurant instagram: mumfoodsatx

Travis’ Instagram: barbecuedude

 

Culture and BBQ

This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 and predict who you think will be named the top ten BBQ joints on the upcoming BIG BARBECUE LIST being published by a well known lone star state focused magazine that’s being released in May! Submissions are accepted April 14 - May 14, 2025. Submit your prediction for a chance to win $2,500 in cash in the BBQ Distro sweepstakes! 

 

Must be at least 18 years of age and a Texas resident to enter, go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 for full rules and eligibility requirements.

 

 

Also, for a limited time enter "tales10" at checkout for a 10% discount on your order of rubs, sauces, apparel and more from BBQ Distro!

 

As Texas barbecue continues to evolve, one of the things we’ve seen increase in recent years is the infusion of different cultures into barbecue. The allure of Texas barbecue has drawn people from all walks of life into the industry and they’ve incorporated their cooking styles and upbringing to their menus. When done thoughtfully it helps broaden the spectrum of what barbecue can be and is another exciting development in a rapidly evolving cuisine.

 

Leonard Botello and the Mirage of Perfection

This episode is sponsored by BBQ Distro. Go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 and predict who you think will be named the top ten BBQ joints on the upcoming BIG BARBECUE LIST being published by a well known lone star state focused magazine that’s being released in May! Submissions are accepted April 14 - May 14, 2025. Submit your prediction for a chance to win $2,500 in cash in the BBQ Distro sweepstakes! 

 

Must be at least 18 years of age and a Texas resident to enter, go to http://bbqdistro.com/top10 for full rules and eligibility requirements.

 

 

Also, for a limited time enter "tales10" at checkout for a 10% discount on your order of rubs, sauces, apparel and more from BBQ Distro!

 

Leonard Botello came from humble beginnings cooking barbecue in a small town to a decade later being one of the most respected pitmasters in barbecue with three restaurants serving massive volumes of great barbecue. But all of that hasn’t come without a price. Join us for a special conversation with Leonard reflecting on his career in barbecue, the cost of greatness, and the impossible pursuit of perfection that continues to drive him.

 

http://truthbbq.com

For the Love of Meat Documentary

Click for tickets!

 

In the summer of 2010 Jeff Jones, Matthew Wallis, Matthew Johnson and Brandon Gonzales set out to make a documentary titled For the Love of Meat about Texas barbecue. Little did they know what an incredible time capsule it would become to film some of the top pitmasters of that time such as Joe Capello, Roy Perez, John Fullilove, Tootsie Tomanetz and others. Additionally the crew was there shortly after Wayne Mueller had taken the reigns at Louie Mueller and only a few months into Aaron Franklin’s career operating the then Franklin Barbecue trailer. Tune into to this episode to hear more details about the film.

 

For the Love of Meat, originally released in 2015, has not been publicly screened in nine years. But that is changing. On March 1st the filmmakers will be screening the film at the Bullock Museum and tickets are on sale now. This is a must see documentary if you are passionate about Texas barbecue and its history. Follow the ticket link in the show notes for your opportunity to see this incredible footage plus more! There are ticket options for a meet and greet prior to the screening with food provided by Micklethwait Barbecue. 

 

There will be a Q&A panel moderated by Daniel Vaughn after the screening featuring the filmmakers, Wayne Mueller, Tom Micklethwait and Kelli Nevarez discussing the film and evolution of barbecue in the years since. Don’t miss out on this special night at the Bullock Museum.

 

Click for tickets!

2024 Year in review

We reflect on our year of food and travel from 2024 as well as memorable moments 
from ten years of BBQ road tripping together

 

LaVaca BBQ

The Nevarez family recently celebrated five years of their business, LaVaca BBQ. This family owned restaurants helmed by parents Lupe and Christine and daughter Kelli produces a large menu of high quality options in a region of Texas that was lacking in modern options.

With standout items such as their smoked tamales and an impressive roster of desserts, LaVaca BBQ should be on your road trip list.

Instagram: mylavacabbq

web: www.lavacabbq.com

• Port Lavaca   532 N Virginia St, Port Lavaca, Texas, 77979

  Thursday 11am - 2pm

  Friday 11am - 2pm

  Saturday 11am - 6:30pm

   
• Victoria   2001 N Navarro St, Victoria, 77901, Victoria, Texas

  Thursday 11am - 7pm

  Friday 11am - 7pm

  Saturday 11am - 7pm

  Sunday 10am - 3pm