Episode 472 - Daniel Vaughn of Texas Monthly

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Daniel Vaughn, the BBQ editor for Texas Monthly and who's also fresh off the release of Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints for 2025. Daniel speaks with Eric about how the Houston BBQ scene has changed in the last decade, the turnover for Houston BBQ joints on the list this year, why certain joints in Houston became honorable mentions or fell off the list entirely, why neither Franklin's BBQ nor Snow's BBQ made the list this year, small town BBQ spots making a comeback, the absolutely outstanding top 3, why Burnt Bean Co. BBQ deserved the number one spot, whether Michelin's selections played a role at all with Texas Monthly's selections, and much more!   

Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler. You can also reach Eric by emailing him at [e-mail]. Check out some of his latest articles at Culturemap.com:

• Two Top 10 Pitmasters React to Texas Monthly's New Top 50 Barbecue List
• 7 Houston-Area Barbecue Joints Make Texas Monthly's New Top 50 List
• Pizzeria Owner Opens New All-Day Poolside Bar and Restaurant at Heights Hotel
• Houston Haunt Earns Only Texas Spot on Bon Appètit Best New Bars List
• Family Friendly Garden Oaks Restaurant Coming Soon to Magnolia