The Struggle of 24/7 Barbecue Joints in Texas

While it might seem like a no-brainer for Texas barbecue joints to stay open 24/7—especially since there’s always someone tending the pit—very few places actually serve smoked meats around the clock. The only true 24/7 barbecue joint in Texas is Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse in Dallas, strategically located near UT Southwestern Medical Center and Love Field, which provides a steady stream of customers at all hours. Most barbecue spots, however, are located in small towns or suburban areas where businesses tend to shut down early, and urban barbecue joints face tough competition from late-night diners and Tex-Mex spots like Katz’s Deli and Chachos.

Running a barbecue joint 24/7 isn’t easy. While diner food can be made cheaply with high profit margins, barbecue is a different story. The cost of smoking briskets and the labor needed to maintain the pits overnight are significant, with briskets alone often having food costs that leave little to no profit. Despite these challenges, the allure of enjoying a brisket plate at 3 a.m. is undeniable, and although late-night barbecue trailers and pop-ups exist in cities like Houston, a full-fledged 24/7 barbecue joint with a neon "Open 24/7" sign would be a welcome sight for Texans craving smoked meats at any hour.