A West Texas barbecue joint just out-smoked some of the biggest names in the business. Jay's BBQ Shack in Abilene has been ranked the No. 1 Texas-style barbecue in the country in USA TODAY's readers' choice awards, a result that put the Big Country on the national barbecue map.
According to MySA, USA TODAY revealed the Abilene shop as the top Texas-style barbecue in the U.S., and Texas claimed six of the ten spots on the list. Local station KTXS reported while the contest was still running that Jay's BBQ Shack was listed in first place. The 10 restaurants on USA TODAY 10Best's 2026 list were nominated by a panel of experts and voted on by readers.
A Crowded Field That Includes Austin Royalty
The rest of the ranking reads like a Texas barbecue pilgrimage map. The Salt Lick BBQ landed at No. 2, Down South Texas BBQ at No. 3, and BBQ DNA at No. 5. Southside Market & Barbeque took No. 6, and Franklin Barbecue rounded out the list at No. 10, per MySA.
Iron & Oak Brisket Co. sits at No. 4 this year, per USA TODAY. MySA notes the same outfit, based in North Carolina, won the top prize in last year's ranking. USA TODAY says the selections are independently owned restaurants committed to the craft.
Readers had until noon Eastern on Monday, October 19, to cast their votes, voting once per day per category, according to USA TODAY 10Best. The contest's own description of the style is blunt: no heavy sauces, just meat cooked low and slow over hardwood and seasoned simply with salt and pepper.
From Catering Gig to Food Trailer to Brick-and-Mortar
The shop's roots are modest. MySA reports that Jay and Diana Stearns started Jay's BBQ Shack as a food trailer in 2015. KTXS describes the business as opening in 2015 as a catering operation before moving to a food truck and eventually into a brick-and-mortar location.
Accounts differ on exactly when the permanent restaurant opened. KTAB says the Stearnses opened Jay's BBQ Shack on South 11th Street in 2015, while Abilene Scene says the couple bought the current location at 602 S. 11th St. in 2018. MySA dates the move into that building to 2017.
The restaurant's recent recognition isn't entirely new. Abilene Scene notes it was included in Texas Monthly's list of the 50 best barbecue joints in Texas for 2025.
Brisket, Boss Hogs and a 3:30 A.M. Start
USA TODAY calls it a no-frills Abilene favorite with a wide range of classic Texas barbecue plates, sandwiches and tacos. Pulled pork, brisket and sausage links are sold by the half pound. Signature sandwiches include the turkey-loaded Jaybird and the Boss Hog, piled with pulled pork, sausage and slaw.
The work behind the plate starts before sunrise. A team member told KTXS, “We started at 3:30 in the morning, fire pits, get the big meats on, and then cook all day.” The station also reports that customers have traveled from outside West Texas to try the barbecue, including visitors from Washington state and Florida.
The nomination caught the shop a little off guard. The restaurant told KTXS, “We found out about a week ago that we were nominated by USA Today.”
Anyone planning a visit should note the schedule. Abilene Scene lists hours of Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the food sells out, so arriving early is the safer bet.
