Some days, even in the seafood-centric Coastal Bend, nothing will do but Texas-style barbecue. It’s that magical meeting of meat, sauce, seasoning, and hardwood smoke — more than the sum of its parts — that puts one’s appetite into overdrive. Here are a handful of places to satisfy that craving.

CORPUS CHRISTI

Hoegemeyer’s BBQ Barn

711 Concrete St., 361-884-4227

Whimsical décor in this repurposed 1920s-era warehouse. The pit crew here cooks over mesquite and offers a few outside-the-box menu items, such as the Texas Cheesesteak, Texas Dip, and Smoked Burger.

Howard’s BBQ & Catering

1002 Antelope St., 361-882-1200

This downtown favorite has been smoking meat since 1949. Plates and sandwiches include a trip to the “fixin's bar” for hot and cold sides.

Julian’s BBQ

1818 Baldwin Blvd., 361-883-1227

Central Texas-style 'cue with a few South Texas touches. You can get rice and beans for your sides and fresh flour tortillas in place of white bread.

Mike Cotten’s BBQ

15013 Northwest Blvd., 361-933-0143

Cotten is a familiar name in South Texas barbecue circles. Third-generation pitmasters run the place, which has appeared on Texas Monthly’s “Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas” list.

MATHIS

Smolik’s Smokehouse

501 E. San Patricio Ave., 361-547-5494

10541 Texas 359 North, 361-547-3700

This Coastal Bend mainstay has been tending the pits since 1928. Don’t leave without a slice of pie or a cinnamon roll; they bake their own.

ROCKPORT

Stevie Lew’s BBQ Kitchen

5340 Texas 35 North, 361-727-0002

Extensive barbecue menu plus a few surprises: barbecue shrimp jambalaya, barbecue quesadilla, fresh-baked desserts, and house-roasted coffee.

Mac’s Pit Barbecue

815 E. Market St., 361-729-9388

“So good — wishing they could ship me some,” exults one out-of-town reviewer. Menu covers the bases with a familiar protein lineup, nine different sides, banana pudding, and cobbler.

SINTON

Butter's

713 E. Sinton Ave., 361-255-6108

One reviewer calls this “the best, south of Austin/Lockhart.” From their pit comes prime brisket with ribs, chicken, sausage, and other meats rounding out the lineup. Sides go way beyond the usual beans and potato salad choices.

This is not an all-inclusive list, so in case we didn’t include your favorite Coastal Bend barbecue spot, leave us a comment below.

chuck@thepicayune.com

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