All articles tagged with #texas bbq
Rising beef costs are forcing Texas barbecue restaurants to remove staple items like brisket and ribs from their menus. Owners report a 40% price increase over two years, citing prohibitive costs and high diesel prices. Some businesses prefer removing items over raising prices, while customers urge support for local establishments.
Beef prices hit a record $9.64 per pound in April, up about 13% year over year, squeezing iconic Texas BBQ joints and forcing closures or drastic changes (e.g., Kirby’s BBQ in Houston). Brisket prices have risen sharply (as high as about $38 per pound for consumers), with other costs pushing shops into survival mode. Industry blame points to inflation, tariffs, and meatpackers who set prices amid a shrinking cattle herd, while regulators investigate meatpackers and policymakers debate tariff responses amid ongoing price pressures.
Texas barbecue joints across Texas are shutting down as wholesale beef costs spike and inflation crimps margins, forcing higher menu prices that many customers won't bear. Closures include Brett’s BBQ Shop and Kirby’s BBQ, among others, as brisket costs rise to roughly $5–6 per pound wholesale and cooked prices can reach $35–$40 per pound; industry blame points to a shrinking cattle herd, higher feed costs, and consolidation in meatpacking.
Beef prices in the U.S. have surged to record highs, with April retail beef at about $9.64 per pound (up roughly 13% YoY), squeezing profit margins for Texas BBQ joints that rely on brisket; several famed eateries have closed or warned they’re at risk as costs mount, including higher brisket prices and broader inflation, tariffs, and meatpackers’ pricing. Regulators are probing major meatpackers, while the White House weighs tariff adjustments that could affect beef costs for diners and restaurants.