The Low-Key Texas BBQ Joint Serving Brisket Worth Crossing The State For
In Lexington, Snow’s BBQ has built a reputation that draws pitmasters, food lovers, and curious travelers alike.
Known for brisket smoked to perfection, tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, this low-key spot turns barbecue into a must-have experience.
Locals know it’s worth planning a trip around, and visitors quickly understand why.
Every bite tells a story of tradition, skill, and dedication, proving that some barbecue is so exceptional it’s worth crossing the state for.
1. The Queen of Texas BBQ
At 88 years young, pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz still wakes up at 1 a.m. every Saturday to tend the smoking pits.
Her weathered hands have been perfecting the art of barbecue longer than most pitmasters have been alive.
By day, she works as a school custodian. On weekends, she transforms into BBQ royalty. Tootsie’s dedication shows in every slice of perfectly rendered brisket that falls apart at the touch of a fork.
2. Saturday-Only Smoky Paradise
Forget your weekend sleep-in if you want a taste of Snow’s BBQ! This meat paradise opens just one day a week – Saturday from 8 a.m. until everything’s gone, which happens lightning-fast.
The limited hours aren’t a gimmick but a tradition tied to Lexington’s Saturday livestock auction.
Locals needed good food after selling cattle, and Snow’s stepped up to the plate. The scarcity makes the experience even more special.
3. Twice-Crowned BBQ Champion
Snow’s rocketed to fame when Texas Monthly named it the #1 BBQ joint in Texas not once but twice – in 2008 and again in 2017.
In the Lone Star State, where barbecue is practically a religion, this honor is the equivalent of winning two Super Bowls. The first win shocked the BBQ world since almost nobody had heard of this tiny operation.
The second win proved it wasn’t beginner’s luck – Snow’s had staying power in a state overflowing with legendary smokehouses.
4. From Cattle Auction to Culinary Destination
Owner Kerry “Snow” Bexley wasn’t born into BBQ royalty. He simply saw an opportunity when the Saturday cattle auction brought hungry ranchers to town with nowhere good to eat.
Snow opened his doors on March 1, 2003, partnering with Tootsie, whose cooking skills he’d admired for years.
What started as a simple meat market for locals has transformed into a pilgrimage site for BBQ enthusiasts worldwide, all while maintaining its humble, no-frills atmosphere.
5. Netflix Stardom Didn’t Change a Thing
When Netflix’s “Chef’s Table: BBQ” featured Snow’s in its premiere episode, fans worried fame might ruin this hidden gem.
They needn’t have fretted. Despite international attention, Snow’s refused to expand hours or compromise quality. The episode showcased Tootsie’s extraordinary life story and dedication to craft.
Viewers worldwide fell in love with her 4 a.m. pit-lighting ritual and no-nonsense approach. Yet even with celebrity status, she still treats every customer like a neighbor stopping by for lunch.
6. Unexpected Menu Superstars
While brisket gets the headlines, insiders know to save room for Snow’s jalapeño sausage and pork shoulder steak.
The sausage delivers a perfect snap followed by juicy, spicy meat that doesn’t need a drop of sauce. The pork shoulder steak remains their secret weapon – a cut rarely featured at other BBQ joints.
Sliced thick and cooked until fork-tender with a mahogany bark, it offers a flavor experience that’s converting hardcore brisket loyalists with every bite.
7. Small-Town Roots Run Deep
Lexington, population 1,200, isn’t exactly a metropolis. Snow’s BBQ operates from a tiny building that could easily be mistaken for someone’s garage, with simple picnic tables for seating and zero pretension.
The Saturday-only schedule reflects the rhythm of rural life – when the cattle auction happens, people gather to eat.
Snow and Tootsie have rejected countless opportunities to expand or open city locations. Their loyalty to Lexington’s small-town ways proves that sometimes, the best things in life stay small.