+1 682-323-5141
Nestled in the heart of Arlington, Texas, Hurtado Barbecue stands out as a beacon of authentic Texas barbecue that promises a sensory journey unlike any other. This barbecue restaurant masterfully combines traditional smoking techniques with bold flavors, crafting an experience that both locals and visitors cherish. From the moment you step through its doors at 205 E Front St, you’re embraced by a warm, inviting atmosphere where the aromas of smoked meats tease your senses and friendly staff make you feel like part of the family.
Hurtado BBQ’s menu reads like a love letter to Texas barbecue aficionados. Their brisket, often praised for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich smokiness, is a flagship dish adored by many. Paired with sides such as the Brisket Beans and the indulgent Brisket Mac Potato Salad, each bite bursts with depth and complexity. The One Beef Rib is a showstopper, boasting juicy, flavorful meat that simply falls off the bone, while the Pork Ribs and Pork Belly provide that perfect balance of smoky richness and succulent fat that barbecue lovers crave.
What truly elevates the dining experience are the thoughtfully crafted sides and sweets. The Hatch Mac & Cheese is a creamy, cheesy masterpiece infused with subtle roasted green chiles, marrying comfort food with a punch of Southwest heat. Meanwhile, the Street Corn offers a vibrant, zesty crescendo with its fire-roasted corn, lime crema, and a dusting of chili powder, capturing the essence of classic Mexican street food with a Texan twist. For those with a sweet tooth, the Tres Leches Banana Pudding and the delightful Strawberry Churro Cupcake provide a perfectly balanced finish—rich, creamy, and irresistibly satisfying.
Beyond the food, the dining atmosphere at Hurtado Barbecue is as invigorating as the flavors on your plate. Customers frequently commend the attentive, friendly service that complements the quality of the cuisine. Whether it’s Emily and Amy making your visit seamless or the casual vibe on their dog-friendly patio—where even neighborhood pets seem to feel at home—there’s a genuine community warmth that sets this restaurant apart.
As reflected in glowing testimonials, Hurtado Barbecue isn’t just about a meal; it’s about an experience woven from passion, tradition, and a deep respect for the craft of barbecue. “The quality, flavor, and presentation are unmatched,” raves Allan Rivas, while another diner marvels at how the brisket “almost melts in your mouth.” Even first-timers find themselves overwhelmed with delight, their senses awakened and their expectations surpassed. Customers praise the flavorful pork ribs, loaded mashed potatoes, and a unique selection of sauces—like the memorable peach habanero BBQ—that add unexpected twists to beloved classics.
For those eager to bring a piece of that authentic Texas smokehouse taste home, Hurtado Barbecue also offers the Hurtado Smokebox Raw Steel, a premium item that allows barbecue lovers to recreate the magic in their own backyards.
In essence, Hurtado Barbecue is more than a restaurant—it’s a destination where every bite tells a story of Texas pride, culinary mastery, and heartfelt service. Whether you’re craving the perfect brisket or eager to indulge in creamy, spicy sides, Hurtado promises a feast that lingers long after the last crumb is gone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hurtado BBQ in Arlington is top-notch truly one of the best barbecue spots in Texas! The quality, flavor, and presentation are unmatched. Every bite is perfectly smoked, juicy, and full of that authentic Texas taste that’s hard to find anywhere else. The brisket melts in your mouth, the ribs are perfection, and the sides complement everything beautifully. The service is just as impressive fast, friendly, and professional. You can tell the team takes pride in what they do. The atmosphere feels warm, welcoming, and full of good energy. Definitely a place that delivers every time top-tier BBQ, five stars all the way!
Local people highly recommend here, and it’s as amazing as their description. The brisket is so juicy and flavorful, it can almost melt in your mouth. The pork belly brunt ends is amazing. I love this place and I’ll definitely come back once I visit taxes.
For my 1st Texas BBQ, this was the perfect place to go to. The atmosphere is nice and the staff is friendly. Emily and Amy were awesome. The food was amazing. My mouth was watering as I ate it. I was in awe. I had to remind myself I was in public and slow down lol. Ok
First time here and beat expectations. I got the two meat platter with pork ribs and sausage. Ribs were juicy and packed with flavor, sausage was flavorful. Man N Cheese was creamy with a hint of spice, potato salad was smooth with crispy bacon bits. Atmosphere was great and staff were friendly! Love the peach habanero BBQ sauce.
There was a line out the door, but we were only in it about 10 minutes. The service is OUTSTANDING. Staff is busy but they take their time with customers. They've got a dog friendly patio. Neighborhood cat stops by and says hello. Everything we got was tasty. cHubby thought the brisket was a little dry, but still good. I thought it was seasoned well. Their sauces have a little twist. We got a mix...Mac n cheese, tostadas, brisket, tacos, beans... the cornbread was really nice. Tres Leches Banana Pudding was one of my favorites. Definitely worth the stop!
We stopped by Hurtado Barbecue in Arlington a little after 1 p.m. and lucked out with one of the last parking spots right beside the restaurant. There was a line outside the door, but it moved quickly. The staff taking orders were super friendly and patient, which we really appreciated since we’re not locals and had a few questions. We chose to sit in the outdoor area next to the restaurant, and our food came out pretty fast. Everything was flavorful, smoky, and perfectly cooked! Texas really knows how to do BBQ, and Hurtado absolutely delivers! Highly recommend this spot and will definitely be back next time I’m in the area.
Oh. My. Word. Hurtado Barbecue is Our Happy Place. Excellent food and service (with a shout-out to CeCe for her friendly help and hospitality) we love this place. Everything we have tried has slayed. We especially love the brisket tostados—it’s loaded with meat and is fantastic. And every time I bite in a smoky and tender pork rib, a tear rolls down my face. Mmmmmm. It’s that good.
My family flew in from California and New York, and I wanted to kick off their visit with some real Texas BBQ. We were staying near AT&T Stadium, so I posted in a local foodie group and Hurtado Barbecue was highly recommended by locals. We gave it a shot—and here’s the honest breakdown. We were greeted at the door and waited less than 15 minutes in line. The staff at the counter was friendly and super patient as I explained it was our first visit. I told them I had to try the brisket and was hoping for the jalapeño cheddar sausage, but unfortunately, it wasn’t available that day. So I went with the burnt ends and pork spare ribs, paired with mac and cheese and coleslaw. The rest of our group ordered trays with chicken, street corn, loaded mashed potatoes, beans, and more brisket. We did a round-robin taste test across our trays, and here’s what we thought: Meats: • Ribs stole the show—tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone. Easily the favorite. • Brisket was flavorful, but inconsistent. Some slices were perfect, others dry and needed a good helping of sauce to help them out. • Burnt Ends were hit or miss. A few were dry, but the good ones were like sweet meat candy. • Sausage wasn’t a winner for any of us—wouldn’t reorder. • Chicken also underwhelmed—pretty dry. Sides: • Potato Salad surprised everyone. Creamy, flavorful, and not your standard chunky style—easily the favorite. • Beans were solid and flavorful. • Mac and Cheese was a bit bland. • Loaded Mashed Potatoes looked great but tasted like plain mashed potatoes with cheese—lacking flavor. • Mexican Street Corn was the least liked across the board—just not the flavor we were expecting. One thing I really appreciated: a staff member noticed we hadn’t touched the corn and offered to replace the side without us even asking. That attention to customer experience goes a long way, and honestly, I’d come back just for how kind and attentive the staff was throughout our visit. Sauces: The Sweet & Spicy BBQ sauce was the winner hands-down. The Aztec Gold and Mango Habanero? Hard pass from our table. All in all, while there were a few misses, the highlights (those ribs, the service, and the potato salad!) made this a great kickoff meal for the family visit. We’ll definitely be back to try more—and hopefully catch the jalapeño sausage next time!