Some of Texas’ most famous BBQ joints forced to close due to sky-high beef prices
Many famous BBQ joints in Texas are closing due to skyrocketing beef prices, which have turned brisket into a luxury item. Pitmasters report that soaring wholesale costs and inflation are crushing their margins, leading to closures across the state. The situation is exacerbated by a shrinking domestic cattle herd and rising operational costs, making it increasingly difficult for small operators to survive.
- ▪Texas barbecue joints are shutting down as beef prices soar, making brisket unaffordable for many customers.
- ▪Pitmasters report that wholesale brisket costs have risen to $5 to $6 per pound, forcing restaurants to charge up to $40 per pound.
- ▪The domestic cattle herd is at its lowest level in 75 years, contributing to the rising costs of beef and other operational expenses.
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Business Some of Texas’ most famous BBQ joints forced to close due to sky-high beef prices By Ariel Zilber Published May 26, 2026, 2:45 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Where’s the beef? Not in Texas — at least, not as much as it used to be. Texas barbecue joints are shutting their doors across the Lone Star State as sky-high beef prices turn brisket — once the centerpiece of a blue-collar meal — into a luxury item that many customers can no longer afford. From Houston suburbs to rural smokehouses, pitmasters say soaring wholesale beef costs, inflation and shrinking customer traffic are crushing margins and forcing some of the state’s most celebrated BBQ institutions out of business.
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