Best BBQ in Mesquite?

We're up to #19 on our list of Texas' most populous cities. At more than 140K people is the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, home of my Man Up Texas BBQ partner, Brad. Mesquite's motto is "Real. Texas. Flavor." Well, speaking of flavor, where can you find the best BBQ in Mesquite?

Event Announcement: 2011 Taste of Mesquite Barbecue Cook-off

What: 2011 Taste of Mesquite Barbecue Cook-off

When: April 29 & 30

Where: Mesquite Rodeo, Mesquite, TX

Info: The 2011 Real.Texas.Festival. is proud to welcome back the "Taste of Mesquite" BBQ Cook-off for a fourth straight year. Thanks go out to our presenting sponsor, the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, and to our nonprofit partner, the Mesquite Service League, for producing this event. Cooks will compete in three meat categories – brisket, pork spare ribs and one-half chicken – with a total of $2,000 in cash prizes awarded to the top three finishers, including a $500 Grand Champion prize for the cook earning the highest point total. Jackpot beans are also in the lineup, with the winner collecting half of the entry fees paid in this competition. Special awards will be given in three new non-food categories this year: (1) to the BBQ entrant who travels the farthest distance to Mesquite, (2) to the best-dressed cook or team, and (3) to the best decorated barbecue area. The competitors in the cook-off won’t have barbecue for sale to the general public, but festival goers are free to stop by and take a look around. Information regarding the cook-off can be viewed and downloaded from the menus on this page. If you have questions regarding the event, please e-mail bbq@realtexasfestival.com or call the official BBQ contest hotline at 972-216-4119.

Saturday, January 15, 2011: Soulman's Bar-B-Que (Mesquite, TX)

Brad and I had lunch a couple of weekends ago at the Soulman's in his hometown of Mesquite. We weren't too hungry, so we just split a 3-meat plate: brisket, pork ribs, dark chicken, beans, and green beans. I liked that the pork ribs were a bit crispy on the outside (and tore easily from the bone), and the dark chicken wasn't dry (always a major plus for chicken). The brisket was a disappointment. It was extra lean - dry and chewy. Truth be told, the fault was mine, for I didn't ask for outside and/or fatty cuts, and I didn't pay attention to the cutting. It's not fair for me to give the thumbs down to their brisket, generally, when I wasn't specific about what I wanted. The green beans were great - piping hot and tasty.

Brad hits up BBQ in his hometown at Mesquite BBQ