Railhead Smokehouse

Typically, I have pleasant experiences here and recommend this place to friends and family; yet I was disappointed today coming through for lunch. I got the chopped beef sandwich plain, with a side of fries and a drink. Cost me $14.30 before tip. The fries were warm & good, yet my sandwich was as completely cold. Very disappointed, given this is somewhere I’ve grown up eating and cherishing with family and friends. I came today on my lunch break and I am only allotted 30 minutes for my lunch. I pay good money for food that wasn’t served fresh is very inconveniencing. Although the location is decent, and the service is met by great members, I would’ve loved to been served a warm meal for what I paid. I suppose next time I come through I’ll specify that I would want a warm chopped beef sandwich.

Favorite BBQ in all of DFW, get it everytime I go to Ft Worth! Absolute best pork ribs, truly tastes better every time. And not to mention the coldest beer schooners in the Western hemisphere. Authentic Texas vibe and Lone Star state atmosphere, conveniently located by 30 and Dickies Arena.

Railhead Smokehouse is a true Fort Worth institution, a beacon of authentic Texas barbecue for decades. The moment you step inside, the rustic charm and the intoxicating aroma of slow-smoked meat tell you you're in for a treat. Their brisket is a masterpiece—tender, moist, and imbued with a perfect smoke ring and a peppery bark that gives way to a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The St. Louis-style ribs are equally impressive, falling off the bone with a juicy, flavorful punch. But it's not just the barbecue that shines. The sides are classic and executed flawlessly. The creamy, slightly tangy potato salad and the pinto beans with a hint of bacon are the perfect companions to the star of the show. The atmosphere is bustling and lively, filled with locals and newcomers alike, all sharing in the communal joy of great food. The service is friendly, quick, and efficient, ensuring your plate is piled high with deliciousness in no time. For anyone seeking a genuine taste of Texas barbecue done right, Railhead Smokehouse is not just a meal; it's an experience.

Dependable bbq for many years, l always get the ribs along with one other meat. I love their potato salad and frosted schooners of beer, too! Sitting at the bar is always fun and friendly!

Quaint part of town and the facade is newer. I met an old friend here and this is a favorite haunt for him so it’s conflicting not to provide a resounding affirmation of his faith. The inside is a stark contrast to the outside and has an older school wooden smokehouse feel. Beer and wine bar is available. The staff is welcoming and friendly. The menu has that old time feeling of letters on a push board and is very direct and concentrated. I went with his recommendation of the chopped beef sandwich, BBQ beans and green beans. The BBQ had a strange bark that was a little too crusty and had a foreign hint of something I can’t identify, likening to lighter fluid getting in the pit. The BBQ beans were meaningless and had a bland, chalky consistency. Likewise the green beans were straight out of a can with no noticeable seasoning or even onion, bacon, etc. to kick them up. They do serve cold beer. As I mentioned, I’m sad really to write, but I imagine I will get another chance to try it with my buddy and will try other options.

Crew not concerned with customer waiting to place order. Much standing around. No greeting basically ignored by all until several minutes passed. Then what do you want. I got sliced beef sandwich. I have eaten at the railhead for over 30 years. This experience was different. Poor staff attitude. My sandwich had about half the meat as usual. After removing 2 large chunks of fat the meat covered about 2/3 of the bun meat was cut thin about 3/8" inch thick. Less than 1/2 of what has been the standard at the Railhead for over 30 years. Plus the meat being severed room temperature. The beer was cold as was the reception. Not impressed. They ran their Grapevine location out of business many years ago with this same kind of customer service.

Had the sliced brisket and ribs. Was very good. Not a fan of their BBQ sauce, but otherwise good. Tried and liked, ranch style beans, slaw and the green beans. Do not care for their home cut fries. Greasy and soggy.

Railhead Smokehouse in Fort Worth is a legendary BBQ joint, serving up mouthwatering ribs and brisket that are tender, flavorful, and perfectly smoked. The laid-back atmosphere, complete with ice-cold beer schooners and a lively patio, makes it a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. With friendly service and classic sides like potato salad and coleslaw, it’s a must-visit for authentic Texas barbecue.

They have weekday specials you can't beat! I love getting their fries with grilled onions reminds me of my Grandmas fried potatoes. I always ask for extra pickle spears and it's a well rounded out meal choose brisket, pulled pork, beef it's all good.

I had heard such good things about railhead. I frequented FTW and every time they said you want good bbq go to railhead or heim. Railhead was closer this night so I checked it out. Was a slow night and maybe this was the main mistake. Got a 2 meat plate so I could try out a couple of things. I am beyond glad I got moist brisket because it was dry, so I can only imagine how the lean was. The ribs were okay, nothing to write home about. The sauce? It's the type I hate most: tastes like Campbell's tomato soup with seasoning. There is a place in Houston with similar sauce and while it's objective, I greatly dislike the sauce. The sides: potato salad was the star of the night. Which sadly isn't saying much. Green beans were pretty limp and yeah. Just not for me. I'm also a bit of a hippy when it comes to the environment and the fact they serve styrofoam trays and plastic cutlery just annoys me. I would think it's less expensive to just buy cafeteria trays and a set of utensils but I also don't run a restaurant so who knows. However, it's incredibly wasteful. So I hate to sound like a negative Nancy, but in a town full of BBQ restaurants I'm sad. Hope it was just an off night for me but yeah.

1) Food was horrible ! 2) service was as bad ! 3) it's pretty much bar for older gentleman.. don't let the full parking fool you ! We couldn't even eat the food . Don't waste your time on this place ...

Great food, good, fast, and friendly customer service. Atmosphere laid back and comfy.

Love the food here, the ribs fall off the bone. Downside, it's always crowded. But worth the wait.

Really decent old-school barbecue served on a divided plate so the ranch style beans stay put and the potatoe salad has its own place. Today I stopped in for lunch. I ordered their chopped beef sandwich plate. Hard to beat simplicity! Their ribs won't disappoint. I recommend Railhead Barbecue.

We have been to Railhead many times. The barbecue ribs, green beans, and coleslaw are all my favs. The super smoky, flavor, and good portions of ribs for a fair price, brings us back pretty regularly. The restaurant is fit for your cowboy hat and boots, very casual. It's clean and always busy. The staff there is very accommodating even though they are super busy. Today, my ribs were a bit on the fatty side and they were happy to provide some ribs that were more lean, without a fuss. This is a great spot for locals to come or if you're visiting you will not be let down with this Texas barbecue!

Great to go item from Railhead, the turkey stuffed baked potato. Hearty and filling, with lots of little extras. Sour cream, butter, bacon bits plus BBQ sauce. Not bad at all for about $9 including tax! Will get this again. Service was fast at the window, the restaurant looked busy inside. I know from previous visits it's a great place to hang out also. Keep rollin' on Railhead Smokehouse!

Great place. Was in town for business and place was suggested. Great food, easy atmosphere and the beer served in a frozen goblet. I had the brisket sandwich. Very good. Onion rings were a bit overcooked, but still good.

So, they were VERY busy on a Tuesday evening around 5:30. Parking lot was full, so we expected to wait in line. There were about 30 people ahead of us and the line was absolutely crawling -- almost stand still. We watched several people waiting for their food and finally figured out that they had only one person taking the orders -- and he was the same guy cutting the brisket and making sandwiches for EVERYONE. We were probably in line for 20 minutes. The food, beef brisket, pork ribs, and sausage were all excellent. Would go 5 stars but for the VERY slow service.

Review of Railhead Smokehouse in Fort Worth: My visit to Railhead Smokehouse in Fort Worth left much to be desired. While there were highlights, such as the super delicious banana pudding and the good smoke flavor of the brisket, there were also significant disappointments. The brisket, while adequately smoked, was unfortunately dry, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the dish. Even the baked potato stuffed with brisket failed to impress, with the dryness of the meat overshadowing the flavors. However, the potato salad provided a pleasant surprise, offering a tasty alternative to the lackluster main dishes. The sides, including the green beans, fell short of expectations, with only the potato salad managing to stand out. On a brighter note, the margarita swirls were a delightful treat, providing a refreshing contrast to the meal. Unfortunately, the negatives extended beyond the food. The restroom facilities were in a state of disarray, reflecting poorly on the overall cleanliness of the establishment. Additionally, the staff appeared to be bickering amongst themselves, creating a tense atmosphere. Overall, my visit to Railhead Smokehouse was marred by dry brisket, lackluster sides, and subpar service. While there were some redeeming qualities, such as the delicious banana pudding and margarita swirls, the overall experience fell short of expectations.

Fast service, delicious bbq, ice cold beer, all at amazing prices in Fort Worth. I recommend getting the fried turkey and as many beers as you want! You will see many Fort Worth locals hanging out here - enjoy!

A good local BBQ stop that I have been come to for years. Food has always been good and the beer has always been ice cold. Bar and food service is always on point and they never leave you hanging. Can get busy on the weekends or when there are local events in the area.

I got the two meat plate - Ribs and brisket. Should have eaten only half and taken the rest home. Meats were so good, I couldn't stop. The plate included 3 sides, too! I got the coleslaw, beans and green beans. All were delicious, too. Prepare to stand in line to order as this place has a good reputation. Can't imagine why anyone would rate them lower than 5 stars. Maybe they expected white linen?

This place has become a bbq staple for many. Tasty and moist meats and comforting sides. Wish the salad didn't have cheese in it and should be on the side. Fresh & tasty. Brisket was low in fat, sausage was nicely seasoned. Potato salad was mediocre. Still a satisfying lunch.

Beats out the BBQ I have had in Northern Texas at three other popular spots. I called in order to go. The wait wasn't bad when I got there. They checked in to see if I wanted to add anything to the order while I was waiting which was nice. I got the chopped beef sandwich, Cole slaw and beans. The beans were excellent - chili beans, the Cole slaw was tasty, and the sandwich was yummy with pickles and onions and a tasting BBQ sauce on the side that I added to it. The only thing negative I can say is that there to go containers are styrofoam. I'd pay more for a more sustainable option. I also don't like eating out of styrofoam.

I was not impressed by their bbq. The sides were lacking. The drive thru worker was super nice though

This place sucks. This is what California thinks Texas BBQ is. I found a pubic hair in my food. Sent it out for DNA analysis and found out it was Gene Wu's.

In a city built on it, they deliver blah bbq. Great place and environment-the staff is awesome,. Just with all the other options around, they are not my go to.

Amazing BBQ love the. The coldest beer in fortworth Atmosphere and vibes are great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Strp into old Fort Wprth, where you'll. Enjoy great brisket for $18 a pound, $3 shiner beers in a goblet, and zero pretension. Great value, off the tourist track - get everything alacart and share. Highly recommended.

In an effort to try every barbecue spot in Fort Worth, Railhead was next on the list. We really did not have expectations coming into mail, but the second we walked inside it felt like a hometown spot. The ribs were fall off. The bone, tender and green beans had a great savory flavor. The staff was really friendly and you can tell they had , been there a while.

The first thing you notice is the awesome smells of meat when you enter. The brisket was juicy and the ribs had.just enough bark. Hands down, the meat took center stage. I had the sweet potato fries and cole slaw for the sides. Both were average at best with the slaw a little too runny and not enough sour for my tastes. The service was quick and full of the usual southern hospitality I'm accustomed to here in Texas. Extra points for having a full bar and frozen beer mugs. I'll definitely be back.

Military discount! Surprisingly inexpensive anyway. Daily special pork sandwich was very good and there was plenty of it. I had 1 rib too (I always do). It was good as well. Eat here!

Went for happy hour with my co workers, it was pretty packed, it was a Thurs evening... Had the brisket sandwich, it was good. Had to bring my fam to try it. We tried going on a Sunday and realized they close that day the beers were the best! Ice cold and so cheap!!! Totally recommend!

Absolutely recommend it. My wife and I try to be there at least once a week. Always busy and always worth the wait. Eat there once and you'll understand why it busy. Delicious. Hub P.

I recently visited Railhead Smokehouse in Fort Worth, Besides the good atmosphere and welcoming staff (we were arrived a few minutes before opening) I must say, I was quite disappointed with my experience. Let me break it down for you: Brisket Woes (2/5): The sliced beef (brisket?), often considered the crown jewel of Texas barbecue, left much to be desired. Not only was it on the tough side, but they had sliced it the wrong way! Slicing it against the grain is crucial for tenderness, and it seemed like they missed the memo. The result? A rather chewy and unappetizing brisket experience. Ribs Hype (2/5): Now, everyone was talking about the ribs, so I decided to give them a try. While they weren't terrible, they certainly didn't live up to the hype. They were just okay, nothing to write home about. If you're craving exceptional ribs, you might want to look elsewhere. Railhead Smokehouse left me wanting more, especially when it came to their brisket. The sliced-the-wrong-way brisket and the mediocre ribs were a letdown. I'd recommend exploring other barbecue joints in Fort Worth for a more satisfying experience.

My friends and I were in town for a wedding and a handful of us stopped in here for a quick meal. Being from a city that doesn't have any bbq joints, we were on a mission to get at least one of our meals at a local place. Railhead Smokehouse BBQ didn't disappoint! First off, Fried Okra omg not something I would ever order but at the suggestion of the staff we did and we're so glad we did. I don't even know what Okra is, but this dish was a good starter. Most of us got the combo dinner so we could try out multiple meats. I ordered the brisket and the sausage and my only complaint was that I couldn't order a 3lb version of the menu item. Our group also shared the peach cobbler that was freaking big enough to serve all of us. Kitchen seemed slightly backed up and that's why I had to rate that 4-stars. I'm not certain I'll ever find myself in this neighborhood again, but if i do I will definitely come back here.

Well Gilbert, we finally made it back to Ft. Worth and as usual, we don't stop until we get to the Railhead. The ribs, fries and chopped are still the best around. Thanks for the great barbeque. Wish we could come more often

Ordered our food to go. Had the combination plate with ribs, sausage, green beans, and slaw. Also had the rib plate with potato salad and green beans. The green beans are AMAZING!! the meat had a great flavor and was not overly smoky, fell off the bone and was so juicy. The sauce has a kick to it at the end and it's so good! We will definitely be back!

This will start out as a controversial statement, but I generally don't care for Texas bbq. However, before you completely judge me, I LOVED Railhead. The brisket was the best I've ever had, the smoked chicken was excellent, as were the ribs. I loved the green beans and ranch style beans. I even ate all the potato salad, which I also don't usually care for. The fella that took my order was very kind and patient with me, as it was my first visit. Overall, excellent.

Fort Worth staple. Started eating here when they opened. Further west in a drive thru beer barn. They've come a long ways in Very good dependable BBQ. Ribs & onion rings are my favorites along with the always COLD affordable beer. Great for meeting friends and family. Manager Gilbert has been in DFW food scene for40+ years. Takes good care of his customers as well as employees. This is not Texas Monthly destination Que. If you're looking to spend $36 lb on brisket, ribs, etc try Cattlack, Goldee's, Panther City, and others. They are all delicious. But when I spend $100 person on a meal it's not going to be for BBQ on a bench.

This was my favorite bbq spot for a chopped sandwich. We were visiting from out of town and so glad we stopped here. A lot of locals and The bbq sauce was so good and wish we had asked if they bottled it. Highly recommend this place!!!

This place is an excellent place to eat the food has a large selection of meats to choose from, the service is quick and employee are professional. The inside and outside seating is a great place for family and friends to gather for events. They also have drive thru if you want a quick bite.

This place is always been my go to place for clients to come in from out of town for local barbecue fantastic food great presentations people are nice and the beans are always awesome

Easy access off I20. Good parking. Excellent food and service. Good bar. Closed Monday. Highly recommend this place

We drove from East ft Worth for this BBQ. It's been my go to for years. But tonight was disappointing. We ordered several meals plus a side of fries for the baby to eat in the car (she's big enough). The pork was delicious. But my potato salad was not. I got about 1/2 scoop of boiled potato. I don't like boiled, unseasoned potatoes. Where was the salad portion? I had to doctor it so I could eat it. The fries were fresh out of the grease, and they were a limp, greasy mess. Next time I'm just getting meat.

The food is great- the service is slow, slow, slow!! We stood in line for 45 minutes- unacceptable! I remember when this place ran like a well oiled machine- unfortunately not anymore.

Tons of interior dining space as well as some patio seats as well. They have a few TVs around the inside, as well as a bar with plenty of seating and ice cold beer. Line wasn't bad, you go through and pick out what you want and then pick it up at the end when you pay. Service was solid. Only thing they were out of was ribs, so I opted for brisket and sausage with beans and potato salad on the side. The brisket was fatty but not too fatty, which I like. Plenty of flavor and a nice texture and flavor on the sausage as well. Really good sauce and sides here too, even the fries were solid.

I always get their smoked chicken - it used to be sooooo tender and full of flavor but the last three times I have gotten the smoked chicken it has been tough to eat, either not enough flavor or can't even bite off a piece have to use a knife......I'm not giving up on my favorite chicken! They are either buying different quality chicken or not cooking it long enough, I'll take a break for a while and maybe things will go back to the normal delicious smoked melt in your mouth chicken.....I'm hoping! This review is for the Willow Park location......

Rude staff threw my change at me and slammed my cup on the counter. I do not think I would come back because of this experience. If you did not want to come to work do not show up .

Came in off a recommendation from a client. Casual dining. Just walk right in and head to the line at the counter to order your food. I chose a two meat combo, sliced beef and ribs french fries and beans. Once you get your food you grab your silverware and drink choice and find a table to sit at. The sliced beef was so good that I didn't even think about dipping it in the BBQ sauce. The ribs were also incredible and the meat easily fell off the bone. The french fries were a bit overcooked. Not very good. The beans are ranch style and what you wouy ezpect. Overall I would definitely head back to get some of the delicious meat!

Best ribs ever. Thursday special, just over $10, including drink and 2 sides, how do they do this? And they are perfection.

We have been searching for genuine BBQ in Texas. We knew it was legit when we came in and saw the NYC Deli style menu. The brisket was very tender but a little fatty. The ribs fell off the bone. The BBQ sauce is a little watery and not as smoked as you'd expect from a BBQ place. The French fries are terribly plain and mushy. The coleslaw was really good! The potato salad was plain. Overall the best part was the BBQ meat items and not the sides. I would come back so I can't try the other entrees.

Used to go to the original all the time as a kid. Junkyard and museum burgers are the best. Homemade chips dipped in ranch can't beat it.

Super disappointed! Seen this place was highly recommended when researching for my trip and decided to give it a try only to be incredibly disappointed that it was overhyped! They were out of pretty much everything I wanted including sodas, the gentleman taking orders had an attitude and the cashier was talking about quitting while ringing us up. The only thing saving me from giving 1 star was the cool souvenir cup. Definitely regret not just going somewhere in the Stockyards :(

Not the best bbq I've had, but far from the worst. Prices were a bit high for the amount of food. Would recommend to all my service members out there for a quick lunch.

Really good food was fresh and hot. very busy. Love this place. I like to buy uncut sausage they're great to reheat and have at a later time so always buy a couple links for later

this has to be some of the worst customer service and lack of genuine kindness. I've ever experienced in my whole life, and I've worked at Cracker Barrel and gotten reviews from customers about my customer service to know how I was treated today I had pre-ordered fried turkey off the app, that has my email information my phone number information to let me know anything to happen with my order that they were able to contact me. I pre-ordered almost 5. hours In advance. where they were able to contact me and let me know that they were not able to fulfill my order when I got there at the time that I had requested my order to be prepared. I was told we didn't have information we couldn't call you. What am I supposed to do about it, not only was it disrespectful disheartening hurtful when I asked to have a receipt of my refund the only thing I was able to get was me taking a picture of the receipt on her tablet then when I called to ask where my receipt email would be I was hungry not only was this the most disrespectful service I ever had I had to call my old boss just to see if they had it at my old location unfortunately, she was nice enough to let me know that she didn't for me to have worked at a location, not too far from there and know that that's how they're treating their customers, I appreciate the management team that I had when I work for Cracker Barrel and whoever is these managers should be ashamed