ALEDO, Texas — Dayne's Craft Barbecue in Aledo was named the 6th-best new barbecue joint in the South by Southern Living Magazine.
The restaurant started in 2017 as a backyard enterprise with owner Dayne Weaver smoking meat and selling it from his front yard. Weaver and his wife Ashley held an underground barbecue sale on the last Sunday of every month, according to the restaurant's website.
After attracting customers from around the state, the couple began hosting pop-ups including a regular presence at Lola's Trailer Park & Saloon. In 2024, the couple opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Aledo, west of Fort Worth.
Southern Living Magazine sang the praises of Dayne's brisket, smoked pork belly and gave a special shout-out to the Fritos-pie beans, pintos topped with cheese, Fritos, pickled jalapeños and crema.
"Guests line up for Texas Trinity platters of brisket, ribs, and sausage links. Even in a state overflowing with good brisket, Dayne’s thick, peppery slices stand out," the magazine's write-up states.
Plus, as smash burgers become more common in Texas BBQ joints, Southern Living says Dayne's is among the best. Dayne's was previously named a Top 50 BBQ Joint by Texas Monthly in 2021.