Conveniently located just south of the Cultural District, the Railhead Smokehouse is a barbeque staple in Fort Worth. They have been serving delicious Texas barbeque for 30 years, and they know how to keep people coming back!
Cross over old railroad tracks in the parking lot and step out of your vehicle. When you open your door, the smell of smoked meats instantly greets you, as if to say, “You have arrived!”
Outdoor Patio
Atmosphere: 4 The Railhead has a fun-loving atmosphere. The Railhead is divided into four main areas. As you enter the large building, join the line to place your order at the kitchen in the first area. The second area is a noisy bar with some seating and people clearly enjoying themselves. The last indoor section contains more seating in a quieter, casual environment. A large outdoor patio located at the far end is great for pleasant Fort Worth evenings, complete with fans and heaters depending on the weather. Minus a point for not involving the customers directly with the pit experience. There is a pit, but it is out back. The Railhead prides itself on serving the coldest beers in the city. Cheap beer is served in 18 ounce frozen schooners. While the Railhead serves draft beer, all four taps are Budweiser and MillerCoors products. No bonus points. Where are the Texas beers?
Brisket: 4 The food attracts the crowds of people, especially at lunch. The brisket smells amazing, and tastes almost as amazing. It is slightly on the lean side, meaning less fat and therefore, slightly less flavor. I do not give out 5s lightly. Options include sliced or chopped brisket, served by the pound (or increments), on a dinner plate or on a sandwich. For some reason, they will ask you if you want mustard and barbeque sauce on your sandwich. Crazy, I know. Simply say “No mustard. Extra sauce please!” Don’t forget the pickles and onions.
Sausage: 4 Sausage is sold by the pound or by the link. It is good, but does not have the coarse ground meat texture that we find in the best sausage.
Ribs: 4 The pork ribs are solid, but not out of this world. They do not quite fall off the bone every time. No beef ribs are available.
Sauce: 5 The barbeque sauce stands out. Starting with color, their sauce is dark red, the way it’s meant it to be. The sauce has OK consistency, as in it sticks to their fries, but could be a little thicker. The smell is great, catching notes of the various spices. Finally, take a dab of the sauce on your finger, and taste: Right on! The sauce is served piping hot at the counter when you order your food. The downside, they never give you enough. Ask for a second (or third) miniature dish of this glorious mixture.
Sides: 5 Like any good barbeque joint, potato salad, coleslaw and beans are the stars. I prefer the potato salad and beans. The sandwiches come with two sides, and the plates come with three. Substitute two sides for a giant pile of fries, which are delicious. Or try the large order of fries for $5 as an appetizer to share if you want to see something Texas-sized!
Line Up Along the Rail
Service: 5 You will order at the counter. While waiting in the line made out of old railroad tracks, you will have time to view the menu on the wall. Because you order from the counter and grab your own drink, service is really minimal. However, the employees I encounter are always helpful and pleasant. If you have a question, feel free to ask. Fending for yourself a bit makes Railhead feel more like home. Help yourself!
Other Noteworthy Items: Chicken, turkey, ham and baked potatoes round out the menu. The HALF of chicken is moist. However the turkey appears and tastes processed. Stick with the chicken if you are looking to venture out.
Every day, Railhead features a different combo special, with two sides and a drink for about $7.00. The chicken plate, sliced brisket sandwich, pork sandwich or rib sandwich rotate daily. Check out their website to see the special for the day.
If you are looking for something sweet, try their peach cobbler. The cobbler is good, served as a small portion with a small price ($2.25), which makes it an easy way to top off a great meal!
The Menu
For an added convenience, Railhead has a drive through, although you will miss the atmosphere. If you aren’t in Fort Worth, fear not. Railhead ships their fully-cooked products via online ordering. You can enjoy the Railhead Smokehouse anywhere.
Please note, the Railhead is closed on Sundays, even though you can smell the pits from blocks away.
For a complete guide to the perfect Texas Barbeque experience, refer to From Texas to Beyond’s Ideal Barbeque Pit.
Some helpful notes I’ve found on beer served cold:
Slate Article
and
Craft Beer Temple article
I used to keep frosted mugs in my freezer at home. I still do, but I don’t pour beer into them anymore, now I use them for a glass of soda instead of using ice cubes!
John,
Great links on the proper way to serve beer! I totally agree, freezing beer is not good beer. On one brewery tour, I was told to take a beer out of the refrigerator about 5 minutes prior to enjoying. Simple enough!
In the near future, we will be talking about bars and pubs that know how to correctly serve beer, at the right temperature and in the right glass.
And you know I love beer served in the correct glass!