I’ve been calling this my white whale of Columbus restaurants for two full years.
Every time I tried to get Texas Steele BBQ, something got in the way. My schedule didn’t line up with their pop-ups. I was out of town. They were sold out. The universe was testing me.
And now that I’ve finally had it?
I am so freaking upset I waited this long.
If you’re searching for the best BBQ food truck in Columbus, Ohio, I need you to stop what you’re doing and read this carefully.
This is it.
Texas Steele BBQ Is the Real Deal
Texas Steele BBQ is pretty much a one-man show run by owner and chef Akil Steele.
Akil is born and raised in Central Texas. That means he grew up around the best BBQ in the world before he could even talk. When he moved to Ohio, he realized something very important. He missed real Texas BBQ.
You know… low and slow. Smoky. Juicy. Cooked with patience and borderline obsession.
So he brought it to Columbus, and it is simply unbeatable.
Plus, Akil is such a kind and gentle soul. He really makes you feel at home, almost like he cooked every single item up just for you and no one else. It’s hard to get that at most other restaurants, let alone food trucks.
The Brisket (You’ll Dream About This)
Let’s start with the brisket.
This is the juiciest, most tender brisket you will have in your life. I’m not being dramatic. I wish I were. It would save me lots of sleepless nights.
We’re talking literal melt-in-your-mouth slices with a beautiful black bark on the outside and perfectly rendered strips of meat and fat on the inside. It’s smoky. It’s rich. It’s everything brisket is supposed to be.
And before he even finished putting my platter together, Akil handed me a slice of fatty brisket to taste.
Game over.
I would have been happy standing in that parking lot eating brisket out of butcher paper like a gremlin. That’s how good it was.
Pulled Pork Is Rarely This Good
Here’s the thing about pulled pork.
Most places overcook it. It dries out. It needs sauce to survive.
Not here.
The pulled pork at Texas Steele BBQ is right there with the brisket. It’s juicy. It’s flavorful. It doesn’t need to be drowned in anything to taste incredible.
For two meats that are constantly messed up at other BBQ joints, Texas Steele absolutely nails them.
Queso Mac, Texas Crack Cake, and Zero Weak Links
That’s right. We haven’t even talked about the sides nor the desserts yet!
The queso mac and cheese topped with crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is absurd in the best way. Creamy. Cheesy. A little crunch. A little heat.
And then there’s the Texas Crack Cake.
I cannot begin to explain how good this cake is. Like the brisket, it has a slightly caramelized crust on the outside and a moist, fluffy interior. It’s made with white wine. Don’t ask me how that works. Just ask me if it’s delicious.
It’s better than damn near every other cake you’ve had in the last five years.
That’s how confident I am.
Every. Single. Thing. on the menu is juicy and moist, exactly how it should be.
There are no weak links here.
Where to Find Texas Steele BBQ in Columbus
Texas Steele BBQ cruises throughout the city, and you can track the food truck using StreetFoodFinder here:
Otherwise, their “home base” is as follows
Texas Steele BBQ | 📍 1060 King Avenue (near Grandview), Saturdays and Sundays 12 PM – 4 PM.
And yes, they sell out. So get there early, because Texas Steele BBQ will change the way you look at BBQ for the rest of your days. And fair warning: It will ruin most other BBQ joints in Ohio for you.
Once you taste this brisket, you’re going to have one thought:
Why did I wait so long?
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