Texas barbecue is getting a halal makeover

FORT WORTH, Texas — At the crack of dawn on a blistering Saturday in June, a long line of nearly 100 individuals stretched out before Goldee’s BBQ, a modest wooden shack restaurant in Fort Worth. Among the eager diners was 30-year-old Thanh Huynh, who had been patiently waiting since 6:30 a.m., his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he prepared an extensive order of meats and sides from his phone.

The restaurant, established in 2020 by a group of friends, has earned the distinction of being Texas's top-rated barbecue joint, according to Texas Monthly, and has also received the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand award for its delicious and affordable offerings. While Goldee’s remains true to traditional Texas barbecue staples like pork belly, sausage, and ribs, it has ingeniously infused the menu with halal options, including brisket, turkey, and lamb, all prepared according to Islamic dietary laws.

In a state witnessing growing Muslim communities, halal barbecue establishments are booming, with at least a dozen such restaurants now dotting the landscape. These include Yearby’s Barbecue & Waterice, owned by a Black Muslim couple, and Levant Mediterranean BBQ, with locations in Houston and Frisco, which offers a unique brisket shawarma sandwich.