A barbecue joint with locations in Oak Cliff, Plano and Arlington just earned national recognition for its Thanksgiving centerpiece. Lockhart Smokehouse's whole smoked turkey was named a top pick among 15 smokehouses sampled nationwide, putting a North Texas kitchen squarely on the holiday radar of home cooks far beyond Dallas-Fort Worth.
The recognition comes from The New York Times Wirecutter, which tested turkeys from 15 different smokehouses and narrowed its favorites down to four standout birds, according to the review. Wirecutter described the Lockhart Smokehouse Signature Whole Smoked Turkey as “smoky, spiced, and stunning,” and noted the smokehouse seasons its bird with its house pork rub. As Dallas News reports, Lockhart Smokehouse smokes its turkeys over post oak wood and tucks a one-pound block of butter inside, a detail the newspaper attributes to the New York Times coverage.
What's Actually in the Box
The turkey that ships out isn't a raw bird waiting on an oven timer. Per Goldbelly, the turkey arrives fully cooked and must be reheated before serving, and the review recommends warming it in a 375-degree oven for about an hour to bring it back to temperature. The listing on Goldbelly describes a package that serves six to eight people and includes a 10-pound whole smoked turkey, making it a fit for a mid-sized holiday table rather than a massive gathering.
Lockhart Smokehouse ships its barbecue nationwide through Goldbelly, the platform notes, meaning the Dallas-based smokehouse's turkey can land on tables well outside Texas. Dallas News lists the turkey at $139.95 before tax and handling, while Wirecutter lists the price as $140 from Goldbelly — a small discrepancy between the two outlets, though both put the cost in the same ballpark. Restaurant critic Sarah Blaskovich, who covers restaurants for the Dallas Morning News and was born and raised in Dallas-Fort Worth, wrote the Dallas News account of the pick.
A Local Favorite With Deep Roots
Lockhart Smokehouse was founded in 2011 by Jill Grobowsky Bergus and her husband, Jeff, according to Goldbelly's history of the business. The smokehouse now operates locations in Oak Cliff at 400 W. Davis St. in Dallas, in Plano at 1026 E. 15th St., and in Arlington at 1650 E. Randol Mill Road, Suite 130. One taster, Abigail Bailey, described the turkey's richness as “a damn delight,” according to Dallas News.
Lockhart wasn't the only Texas name to make Wirecutter's list. The publication also selected Greenberg Smoked Turkey as one of its five favorite mail-order smoked turkeys, giving the Lone Star State two entries among the national standouts.
Deadlines Are Already Closing In
Lockhart Smokehouse sells full Thanksgiving dinners beyond just the turkey, with a spread that includes smoked hams, prime rib, cheesy potato casserole, mac and cheese, pecan pie and other items, per Dallas News. Thanksgiving food from Lockhart can be ordered through the smokehouse's website or through Goldbelly, giving shoppers a choice of local pickup or nationwide shipping.
The clock is ticking either way. Orders for the mail-order turkey must be placed by November 17 to arrive in time for Thanksgiving, while orders for Lockhart barbecue meant for Thanksgiving pickup at the restaurants must be placed by November 20. With less than three weeks until the holiday, anyone hoping to serve a nationally recognized smoked turkey this year won't have much room to wait.
