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Artwork for Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry

Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry

Andrew and Bryan
Barbecue
Texas Barbecue
Brisket
Texas BBQ
Texas Monthly Top 50 List
Craft Barbecue
Redbird BBQ
BBQ
For the Love Of Meat
Grasslands Barbecue
Truth BBQ
Sabar BBQ
Goldee's
Sausage
Food Culture
Pakistani Cuisine
Bullock Museum
Barbecue Culture
Houston
Fort Worth

A Texas BBQ podcast highlighting the food, personalities, and traditions of the Lone Star State’s smoked meats.

PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes224Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePlaces & TravelFoodArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Tales from the pits, a Texas BBQ podcast featuring trendsetters, leaders, and icons from the barbecue industry

Latest Episodes

It had been years since we completed a half dozen stop BBQ run, but we decided to give it a try. The secret to our success on this trip?

Skipping brisket! Sounds crazy, right? Tune in to hear where we went and what we ate.

As barbecue continues to evolve, talented people are bringing in new ideas to expand on the tradition of wood fire cooked meats.

One of the most exciting new additions to the Texas scene is Casey Lee's BBQ in the small town of Flatonia.

Tune in t... more

Want to know what we've been up to? Tune in!

Congratulations to Burnt Bean Co. on being selected as the number 1 BBQ joint in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine! We sat down with Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland to talk about their quest for this title and the sacrifices they made to reach the ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Greg Ring
Co-owner of Casey Lee's BBQ, Flatonia
Casey Lee's BBQ
Episode: Casey Lee's BBQ
Casey Ring
Co-owner of Casey Lee's BBQ, Flatonia
Casey Lee's BBQ
Episode: Casey Lee's BBQ
Max Frisbee
Partner in Casey Lee's BBQ, Flatonia
Casey Lee's BBQ
Episode: Casey Lee's BBQ
Joe Zavala
Pitmaster at Zavala's Barbecue
Episode: Pitmaster Advice Regarding the Top 50 list
Travis Crawford
Pitmaster at Mum Foods, with extensive experience in the barbecue scene across various renowned establishments.
Mum Foods
Episode: Travis Crawford - Mum Foods
Leonard Botello
Owner and pitmaster of Truth BBQ
Truth BBQ
Episode: Leonard Botello and the Mirage of Perfection
Cole Parkman
Episode: Cole Parkman, Kasey Durham, and old school barbecue
Kasey Durham
Episode: Cole Parkman, Kasey Durham, and old school barbecue
Amir Jalali
Owner of Redbird BBQ and passionate pitmaster
Redbird BBQ
Episode: Redbird BBQ

Hosts

Bryan
Co-host of Tales from the Pits
Andrew
Co-host of Tales from the Pits

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 236 ratings
  • Dull

    Listened to an episode thinking I might learn about bbq but it was just people talking about their careers. Gave up. Boring.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JohnP24
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Best bbq pod

    No show has more passion for the quest for good bbq.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chode B Juan Kenobi
    United States2 years ago
  • Fantastic podcast

    I just discovered this about a week and a half ago. I’m already at Episode 49. I have a job that allows me to listen to podcasts all day and this is my new favorite. I’m a fellow Houstonian and can’t believe I had never heard of this podcast until now. Can’t wait to learn more about bbq and visit all the great places I can.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sheldonite
    United States4 years ago
  • Great Podcast

    Love the podcast — thanks for all you’re doing to bring quality content. I’m excited to plan my first trip to Texas and eat at some of these amazing BBQ restaurants.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andelpink
    United States5 years ago
  • Great bbq podcast

    I really enjoy your podcast and was relistening to your latest bbq tour episode when my wife and I were driving back from Colorado to San Antonio last week. I tried to hit Evie Maes in Lubbock but sadly I didn’t time it right but we ate at Chopped and Sliced and that was really good. Regarding digestion issues when I was in Ft Collins I found that “Acid Soothe” chewables work really well. It eliminated my heartburn with bbq, coffee and spicy food. You guys do a great job, it is really fun to lis... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SEC Country wins Hunger Games
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the hosts' depth of BBQ knowledge and interviews with top pitmasters.
Fans appreciate practical, actionable insights for aspiring BBQ businesses.
Some critics note occasional long-form conversations without a strict format.
Positive sentiment about pacing, storytelling, and the authentic vibe of every episode.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#122
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#173
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#185
France/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#36
Israel/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#61
Ireland/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#95
Denmark/Arts/Food

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Burnt Bean Co. 2025 - Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland
Q: What does it mean to you to have the number one barbecue joint in the world be in the town of Seguin, Texas?
It would be huge for us and would show that Seguin can support successful businesses.
Burnt Bean Co. 2025 - Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland
Q: Have you been able to recalibrate at all, or is this quest to build this legacy of a restaurant still ongoing?
Yes, we have found a balance as we now have James managing the pits, allowing us to step back a bit.
Travis Crawford - Mum Foods
Q: What was your first foray into cooking BBQ at a restaurant?
I approached Valentina's BBQ to learn about cooking in volume after learning to cook at home.
Travis Crawford - Mum Foods
Q: How did you get from hot and fast to how you're cooking today?
I did the hot and fast method for the first three years and transitioned into crafting a lower and slower approach for better quality meat.
LaVaca BBQ
Q: So Kelli, what was it like learning how to operate a full restaurant?
It was a learning curve to manage the different meats coming off the pit at varying times, but over time, I became more comfortable with the routine and time management.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A Texas BBQ-focused show that centers on the people, places, and culture behind smoked meats. Episodes blend deep dives with personal journeys of pitmasters, restaurant operators, and regional BBQ scenes, especially Texas, often highlighting craft techniques, competition dynamics, and the evolution of barbecue businesses. Listeners can expect candid conversations, a mix of locality-driven tours, industry insights, and enthusiast-level storytelling that celebrates tradition while exploring modern twists. This program is notable for its down-to-earth hosts who balance curiosity with genuine respect for the craft, making it a go-to for both industry insiders and passionate eaters who love Texas-style barbecue.

Potential listeners should be dr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. BBQ Interview Series - Kevin’s BBQ Joints
2. HowToBBQRight
3. Smoke(less)
4. The BBQ Central Show
5. Grab’em in the Brisket - A Texas BBQ Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 224 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Greg Ring
2. Casey Ring
3. Max Frisbee
4. Joe Zavala
5. Travis Crawford
6. Leonard Botello
7. Cole Parkman
8. Kasey Durham

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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