When the aroma of slow-smoked Texas barbecue hits the Columbus air, folks know exactly where to find the real deal. 🔥
Texas Steele BBQ doesn’t mess around with half-measures or shortcuts. This mobile operation brings authentic Central Texas flavors straight to hungry Ohioans through their signature black trailer parked at 1060 King Avenue.
The pitmaster behind this smoky sensation learned his craft the right way, and it shows in every perfectly charred bite.
How they won local’s hearts
Texas Steele BBQ captured Columbus’s barbecue-loving hearts through a combination of authentic Texas training and relentless quality.
Owner Akil Steele didn’t just wing it when he decided to bring Central Texas barbecue to Ohio. According to local food enthusiasts, Steele was a student of legendary pitmaster Aaron Franklin when he lived in Austin, learning the meticulous techniques that made Franklin Barbecue famous worldwide.
This wasn’t some weekend warrior trying to fake it – this was legitimate Texas barbecue education applied with Central Texas precision.
Word spread quickly through Columbus’s tight-knit food community about the mobile operation serving brisket that actually melted in your mouth.
Local Reddit users consistently praise Steele as “one of the nicest guys” while declaring his brisket the best bar none.”
The authenticity factor became Texas Steele’s secret weapon – when actual Texans living in Columbus started vouching for the legitimacy of Steele’s smoking techniques, the local barbecue scene took notice.
Customer reviews consistently mention how the brisket rivals anything they’ve had outside of Texas itself, which is exactly the kind of reputation that turns a food truck into a local legend. ⭐
Food Highlights
- White Oak Smoked Brisket: This prime Angus beef gets the full Texas treatment with a 12+ hour smoke using only white oak, creating that perfect balance of tender interior and crispy bark that makes serious barbecue enthusiasts weak in the knees
- Texas Beef Dino Ribs: These massive white oak smoked beef ribs weigh between 1-2 pounds each and represent the pinnacle of Texas barbecue excess, delivering enough smoky beef goodness to satisfy even the most carnivorous appetites
- Sweet Texas Candy Spare Ribs: Regular pork spare ribs get elevated with a special Texas candy glaze that creates a sticky, sweet coating that perfectly complements the smoky pork underneath
- Texas Garlic Sausage: This pork and beef blend features bold garlic flavoring wrapped in natural casings, providing that essential snap and juicy interior that defines proper Texas sausage craftsmanship
- Cajun Boudin Sausage: A Louisiana-style sausage packed with pork, long-grain rice, and authentic spices that adds a Creole twist to the traditional Texas barbecue lineup, showing Steele’s broader Southern cooking knowledge
- 7up Cake: This Southern dessert classic features the subtle citrus notes of 7up soda baked into a moist, buttery cake that provides the perfect sweet ending to a heavy barbecue meal
Atmosphere
Texas Steele BBQ operates from a distinctive black trailer that embodies the authentic food truck experience.
The mobile setup creates an intimate, no-frills environment where the focus stays squarely on the food rather than fancy dining room aesthetics.
Customers place orders directly with Akil, creating personal connections that turn first-time visitors into regulars. The King Avenue location provides easy access while maintaining that authentic street food vibe that serious barbecue lovers crave.
Bottom Line
Texas Steele BBQ deserves a visit because it represents authentic Central Texas barbecue executed by someone who actually learned from the masters.
When a pitmaster trained under Aaron Franklin brings his skills to Columbus, food enthusiasts need to pay attention.
The combination of legitimate technique, quality ingredients, and genuine passion creates barbecue that rivals anything found in the Lone Star State itself.
Address: 1060 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212
📞 (614) 321-2431
🕔 Open Sat-Sun, 12 PM–4 PM (closed Mon-Fri)