Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q - Allen (TX)

5 /5 Andrew Carlisle: Had an amazing first experience at Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q in Allen, Texas today. Trey and his staff treated me like family, and that really meant a lot. Upon getting out in the parking lot, youre immediately hit with the amazing aroma of the smoke hitting you in the wind. I always have to go big my first order, and I ordered more than my stomach could fit. Got a 2 meat platter with brisket and sausage. The brisket was fall apart even with a plastic fork. Great flavor, moist, and my dogs will absolutely fight me for the leftovers. The sausage had great flavor with the spice and the cheese. I also got the pork belly burnt ends, which were unlike any Ive tried before. Soft on one side, crispy on the other, with great flavor. The sides I got were the Mac and cheese, which was interesting as they use shells which Ive never seen eating out. It was nice and cheesy, with a nice crust on top. Also, I got the trail beans which were phenomenal; might be best beans Ive ever had. Im addicted to cucumbers so had to get some of those, and also got the apple slaw which had great flavors to balance everything. The tacos I got one of each which were the birhha which is phenomenal, especially with the sauce that comes with it. Birhha has to be the inspiration behind the term flavor bomb. Next was the smoked suadero which is more brisket with great flavors in the juices. Next is the carnitas and the cochinita pibil with both having great flavors with the different slaws. If I see Elote on a menu, I have to grab it. Great flavor from being smoked on the husk with the sauces on top is killer! I forgot to order dessert, and Trey graciously brought me some pudding, which may have been my favorite pudding to date. Overall, I had an amazing experience here this afternoon. Getting treated like family is alone enough for me to become a repeat customer, but the excellent food will absolutely bring me back. Probably wont order as much as my eyes have been bigger than my stomach, but I have dinner for later and treats for the pups. I would definitely recommend Vaqueros to anyone looking for some excellent Tex-Mex inspired BBQ!

5 /5 Jennifer Anderson: We tried Vaqueros for the first time tonight and had a wonderful experience. My husband & I ordered the Tour of Texas Platter to share, so that we could try their brisket, ribs, chipotle cheddar sausage and peppered sausage. We love brisket, and it was well-seasoned, tender and moist - so good. All of it was good! The platter came with 2 pint-sized sides and they allowed us to break one pint in half so that we could try separate things. We shared the pint of Mac & cheese, and got separate smaller portions of cucumber salad and their potatoes. As we were eating, the manager offered to bring us a brisket Birria taco to try and he also gave us a tour of their indoor fire pit. It was very personal service and they treated us like family. Loved the atmosphere! Can’t recommend enough!

5 /5 Eric Wilmeth: Absolutely outstanding. The banana pudding alone easily earns a spot in the top three best I’ve ever had—no exaggeration. The BBQ had an incredible Tex-Mex influence that really set it apart and made every bite memorable. We were so glad we skipped the local burger spot and gave this place a try instead. Phenomenal food, great flavors, and well worth the stop. We’ll definitely be back.

5 /5 Coach Ruby: Absolute the best of the best. Vaqueros is a complete culinary and cultural immersion into every tjing that makes Texas and youll emerge with Texas at her finest. Every attention to detail is placed in everything done here - and it pays off. Being the best in TEXAS BBQ is practically unattainable yet Vaqueros has achieved with perfect brisket (the ring, the cut, the bark, the pliable and elastic stretch, et al) with perfection on beef short rubs as well. Plus great pork ribs, turkey, and two types of homemade sausage (everything is made in-house from the pickled onions, jalapenos, pickles, carrots to all the fresh sides to the sauce to the tea to the tortillas). Beyond the staples, Vaqueros offers the ultimate unami experience with most unique (1) pork belly - no tacky sweet meat candy here but rather the pure bliss of unami with the crunch of chicharrones and the melting of the soft, tender underside that just renders itself inside your mouth (2) Suadero that rivals the tenderness and richness of the beforementioned pork belly and (3) the Yucatan specialty - cochinita pibil. Custom pits plus knowledge of the pitmasters and owners has Vaqueros owning the game. Again, this place hits on all cylinders with E.V.E.R.Y. T.H.I.N.G. They cant miss, even their iconology to their humor to the friendliest staff - this is Texas on a plate! I gleefully ate everything mentioned in this review, plus beans Texas toast and cowboys potatoes, during my 2 hour visit. Yet, I hate missing out on the banana pudding and elote. But Ill be back at my new (first in well over a decade) favorite bbq joint and restaurant overall - despite the 4 hour drive.