Nestled in San Antonio’s Denver Heights neighborhood, Reese Bros Barbecue exploded onto the scene with the perfect recipe for success: two brothers, fresh-made tortillas, and barbecue that embraces the soul of South Texas.
What started as an experimental journey in West Texas has become one of San Antonio’s most beloved BBQ destinations. 🔥
How Reese’s won locals’ hearts
The Reese brothers’ path to barbecue stardom began far from the Alamo City, in the remote town of Marathon, Texas.
Nick and Elliott Reese had worked front-of-house at La Barbecue in Austin while pursuing history degrees at UT, but they’d never actually cooked barbecue until 2018.
The brothers moved to Marathon to work the pits at Brick Vault Brewery and BBQ, where the isolation became their greatest asset. “With a lack of distraction out there, we were really able to buckle down,” Nick explained.
Under the patient guidance of manager Phillip Moellering, they spent nearly three years perfecting their craft in the West Texas wilderness.
When they returned to San Antonio in January 2022 with their food truck, they brought something entirely different to the table.
Rather than serving traditional white bread and basic sides, the Reeses embraced their San Antonio roots with flour tortillas that Elliott spent eight months perfecting and sides infused with Mexican flavors.
The combination of Central Texas smoking techniques with South Texas spice created an instant sensation.
Their success skyrocketed when they landed on Bon Appétit’s prestigious “50 Best New Restaurants of 2022” list, cementing their status as a go to destination.
Lines began forming before opening, filled with locals who recognized they’d discovered something special.
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Food Highlights
- Prime Brisket: Traditional Central Texas-style brisket with a hefty dark bark surrounding tender, juicy meat that’s oak-smoked to perfection using offset smokers named Lynyrd and Skynyrd, creating the ideal balance of smoke and seasoning.
- Queso Fundido Sausage: House-made smoked sausage stuffed with Oaxaca cheese and serranos, with juices running red from chili powder and each bite fragrant with cumin, delivering an explosion of spicy, cheesy goodness.
- Pork Spare Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone ribs that are slathered with barbecue sauce then wrapped in foil on the smoker, resulting in meat that pulls easily from the bone while maintaining the perfect balance of wet and smoky flavors.
- Smoked Turkey: Surprisingly moist turkey breast with a wonderful mild smoky flavor that even picky eaters love, defying expectations of traditional dry turkey with its tender texture and rich taste. 🦃
- Carnitas: Slow-smoked pork carnitas that are incredibly moist and flavorful, served in tacos or as a standalone protein that showcases the brothers’ ability to elevate traditional Mexican preparations with barbecue techniques.
- Verde Burger: A unique creation featuring a brisket patty topped with beans and a tostada, delivering multiple layers of flavor in one impressive bite that perfectly represents their fusion approach to barbecue.
Atmosphere
Reese Bros operates with a distinctly laid-back, family-friendly vibe that perfectly captures San Antonio’s welcoming spirit.
The entirely outdoor seating area features plenty of picnic tables where families and friends gather to enjoy great barbecue under the Texas sky.
Heaters keep diners comfortable when temperatures drop, and the spacious setup can accommodate over 150 people.
The operation centers around their impressive offset smokers, and customers often witness the smoking process firsthand.
The staff maintains excellent southern hospitality, keeping lines moving efficiently while creating a comfortable atmosphere where regulars and newcomers alike feel at home.
Live music occasionally fills the air, and the full bar serves everything from local beers on tap to their famous pineapple margaritas, making it as much a social gathering spot as a barbecue destination.
Bottom Line
Reese Bros Barbecue represents the perfect evolution of Texas barbecue – honoring traditional Central Texas smoking methods while boldly incorporating the vibrant flavors that make San Antonio special.
The combination of exceptional barbecue, innovative sides, fresh-made tortillas, and genuine hospitality creates an experience that goes far beyond just a meal.
Whether you’re craving perfectly smoked brisket, want to try their famous poblano mac and cheese, or simply need to understand why lines form before they open, this is San Antonio barbecue at its finest.
Address: 906 Hoefgen Ave, San Antonio, TX 78210
📞 (512) 925-9205
🕔 Open Thu-Sun, 11 AM–Sold Out (closed Mon-Wed)