Abdullahi Lamb
Cousins BBQ is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving up Texas-style barbecue since 1983. With six locations in the Fort Worth area, Cousins BBQ offers a variety of smoked meats and sides. The restaurant uses a combination of traditional methods, like smoking their meats with hickory wood, and modern updates, such as investing in new smokers and offering full barbecue trays. Cousins BBQ takes pride in using all-natural, hormone-free meats, including premium Creekstone Farms beef, to create a perfect slow smoke flavour. In addition to their classic offerings, Cousins BBQ also experiments with new menu items, like brisket poppers and mac-and-chorizo balls, embracing a balance between old-school and new-school barbecue traditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking method | "Low and slow" |
| Meat type | Beef, chicken, pork |
| Meat specifics | Brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken wings, pulled pork, jalapeno sausage, chicken leg quarters |
| Sides | Texas street corn, collards, fried okra, mac-and-cheese, slaw, potato salad, cowboy beans, banana pudding, chocolate chip-pecan cookies |
| Meat origin | All-natural, hormone-free Creekstone Farms meats |
| Sauce | Pee Dee region-style |
What You'll Learn
Cousins BBQ's cooking methods
Cousins BBQ has been serving authentic Texas Bar-B-Q in Fort Worth since 1983. The restaurant was founded by Calvin (aka "Boots") and Beverly Payne, and the recipes used have been handed down for generations. Cousins BBQ uses a "low and slow" cooking method, smoking their meats with indirect heat from hardwoods, and only the finest hickory will do for their Pitmasters.
The restaurant uses all-natural, hormone-free meats from Creekstone Farms, which is the premium brand used in Texas' top-ranked smokehouses. This includes Duroc pork ribs and shoulders, and soon, all briskets will be Creekstone Prime beef.
Cousins BBQ cooks up a range of meats, including brisket, ribs, jalapeno sausage, chicken, pulled pork, and custom sausage. They also offer sides such as Texas poblano street corn, bacon-potato salad, collards, fried okra, mac-and-cheese, slaw, and potato salad.
In addition to their regular menu, Cousins BBQ offers all-you-can-eat barbecue specials to mark their anniversary, as well as other specials like smoked burgers on Thursdays and scratch-made banana pudding.
The restaurant has six locations in the Fort Worth area, including one at DFW Airport, where their barbecue is prepared, packaged, and shipped daily.
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The types of meat used
Cousins BBQ has been serving authentic Texas Bar-B-Q in Fort Worth since 1983. The restaurant uses a variety of meats in its dishes, including:
- Prime brisket
- Duroc pork ribs and shoulders
- Creekstone Prime beef
- Chicken
- Pulled pork
- Jalapeño-cheddar sausage
- German sausage
- Chicken wings
- Bacon
- Chorizo
The restaurant takes its BBQ seriously and chooses to use only All-Natural Beef, which is the secret to its great-tasting food. The meat is hand-trimmed and seasoned by the pit crew, who are on full display through the large windows of the pit room.
The BBQ joint also cooks whole hog every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, in the tradition of the Pee Dee region.
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The sides offered
Cousins BBQ offers a variety of side dishes to accompany their meats. The sides available may vary depending on the location and the day of the week, but there is always a range of options to choose from.
At the Cousins BBQ location in Fort Worth, Texas, the sides offered include Texas poblano street corn, bacon potato salad, collard greens, fried okra, mac and cheese, slaw, potato salad, and either pintos or cowboy beans. These sides are available as part of the all-you-can-eat deal, which includes unlimited helpings of six meats and eight sides. The regular three-meat plate is also an option, which comes with a choice of two sides.
The Cousins BBQ in Olanta, South Carolina offers a full buffet on Thursdays through Saturdays, with sides such as pre-seasoned pulled BBQ, BBQ chicken leg quarters, macaroni and cheese, green beans, dirty rice, steamed rice, and banana pudding. This location also offers take-out and special holiday orders, such as barbecued turkeys and whole hogs.
In addition to these options, Cousins BBQ has recently made some updates to their menu, introducing new sides such as Texas street corn and bacon potato salad, while keeping customer favourites like hand-cut fries. The specific sides available can vary from day to day, as the menu is ever-changing, with new tray options added regularly.
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The history of the restaurant
Cousins BBQ is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving "low and slow" Texas Bar-B-Q in the Fort Worth area since 1983. Calvin (aka "Boots") and Beverly Payne opened the first Cousins Restaurant in 1983, serving Texas-sized portions of handcrafted, authentic Bar-B-Q from recipes handed down through the generations. Cousins BBQ uses only the freshest ingredients and hand-selected hardwoods to give their meat a perfect slow smoke flavor.
The original Cousins BBQ location on McCart Avenue was an old-guard 1980s Fort Worth barbecue favorite. Today, Cousins also has newer Hill Country-style locations at 5125 Bryant Irvin Road, Fort Worth, and 910 S. Crowley Road, Crowley. The restaurant has been recognised by Texas Monthly as one of the Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas and was named one of the 25 best airport restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Travel magazine in 2014.
Cousins BBQ offers a variety of meats, including brisket, ribs, and jalapeño sausage, as well as sides such as green beans, black-eyed peas, and banana pudding. The restaurant has recently transitioned to using all-natural, hormone-free Creekstone Farms meats, the premium brand used in Texas' top-ranked smokehouses. Cousins BBQ also offers smoked burgers on Thursdays, an improved potato salad, and made-from-scratch banana pudding from an old family recipe.
In addition to its traditional dine-in options, Cousins BBQ provides catering services for full-service events and basic deliveries. The restaurant has recently introduced an all-you-can-eat special to celebrate its 40th anniversary, offering unlimited helpings of six meats and eight sides for $30.
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Customer reviews
Meat Quality and Taste:
Cousins BBQ is known for its commitment to using premium, natural meats, and this hasn't gone unnoticed by its patrons. Many customers applaud the switch to all-natural, hormone-free Creekstone Farms meats, which are considered the premium brand used in Texas' top-ranked smokehouses. The difference in taste is notable, with pitmaster Jason Cross stating, "There's a taste difference." This change has been particularly well-received, with the restaurant maintaining its position as a Fort Worth favorite.
Smoking Techniques:
The art of smoking meat is a key differentiator for Cousins BBQ, and they've perfected it over their many years in business. Their meat is slow-smoked, using hand-selected hardwoods to impart a perfect flavor. The result is Texas-style barbecue with a unique, authentic taste. The smoking process is carefully controlled, using indirect heat from smoking hardwoods, with pitmasters opting for the finest Hickory to prepare their famous barbecue.
Menu Options:
Cousins BBQ offers a wide range of menu options to cater to various preferences. Their traditional offerings include brisket, ribs, jalapeno sausage, and pulled pork. However, they've also introduced innovative items like smoked and fried chicken wings, brisket poppers, and mac-and-chorizo balls, which have been well-received by customers seeking new flavors. The variety of sides has also been expanded, with Texas street corn, bacon potato salad, and scratch-made banana pudding being standouts.
Dining Experience:
The dining experience at Cousins BBQ is often described as casual and comfortable. The restaurant has a family-friendly atmosphere, and customers feel treated like family. The original location on McCart Avenue is an old-guard favorite, with a visual history of the Cousins "family" displayed on their "Wall of Fame." The newer locations have been renovated to a Hill Country-style look, offering a fresh and modern ambiance.
Value for Money:
Cousins BBQ provides excellent value for money, with generous portions and affordable prices. Their all-you-can-eat specials have been a significant draw, allowing customers to indulge in a variety of meats and sides without breaking the bank. Their regular menu options are also reasonably priced, with a typical three-meat plate costing $21.
Customer Testimonials:
Local Guide Wayne Clayton praised the Country Cousins BBQ in Olanta, SC, for its tasty buffet, delicious food, and small-town friendly hospitality. He also highlighted the excellent sweet tea and the relaxed atmosphere that allowed for hours of conversation without feeling rushed. Another customer, Kristen L. Galardi, shared her experience of stopping by with her family on their way back from vacation. She praised the plentiful food that kept her family full during their 12-hour drive and the kind owners who made them feel at home.
In conclusion, Cousins BBQ has earned a positive reputation among customers for its high-quality meats, expert smoking techniques, diverse menu options, and welcoming atmosphere. With a combination of traditional favorites and innovative new dishes, Cousins BBQ continues to be a go-to destination for barbecue enthusiasts.
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Frequently asked questions
Cousins BBQ uses all-natural, hormone-free beef from Creekstone Farms, which is the premium brand used in Texas' top-ranked smokehouses.
Cousins BBQ prepares its meat using the low and slow method, smoking their meats with indirect heat from hardwoods, specifically hickory in a wood-fired rotisserie.
Cousins BBQ uses hickory wood to smoke their meats, which they believe is the finest for their pitmasters.
Cousins BBQ was founded in 1983 by Calvin (aka "Boots") and Beverly Payne, who served Texas-sized portions of handcrafted, authentic "low-and-slow" barbecue from recipes handed down for generations. The couple's son, Jeff Payne, is now the president of Cousins BBQ and has been embracing a new era for the brand with updated sides, full barbecue trays, and an "All You Can Meat" daily special.
