History

The loaded baked potato is a staple of Texas roadside diners, but the brisket version emerged from Dallas BBQ counters in the 2000s as pitmasters looked for ways to use the point and burnt ends. Pecan Lodge and Slow Bone both featured versions and the format spread to casual BBQ restaurants across North Texas through the 2010s.

Common allergens: Dairy

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 20 minTotal 1 hr 30 minDifficulty Beginner

Ingredients

  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • 400g chopped smoked brisket
  • 150g white American or cheddar cheese
  • 120ml whole milk
  • 4 tbsp sour cream
  • 2 jalapeños, sliced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Method

  1. Rub potatoes with oil and salt; bake at 220 C (425 F) for 60-70 minutes until a skewer goes through without resistance.
  2. Make the cheese sauce: melt butter in a saucepan, add milk and heat gently. Add cheese in handfuls, stirring until smooth. Season with garlic powder and salt.
  3. Warm the brisket in a pan.
  4. Split potatoes and fluff the interior with a fork. Season with butter, salt, and pepper.
  5. Load each potato with brisket, cheese sauce, sour cream, and jalapeños.
  6. Serve immediately.

Tip from the editors. The cheese sauce should be made fresh and poured hot. Cold cheese sauce seizes on a hot potato and goes grainy. Use American cheese for the smoothest melt.

Where to eat brisket-stuffed baked potato

Brisket-stuffed baked potato in Dallas

Pecan Lodge ★ 4.7

Texas Bbq$$$deep-ellumMon 11:00-15:00, Tue-Thu 11:00-20:00, Fri 11:00-21:00, Sat 11:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-21:00

Dallas's most celebrated BBQ pit is genuinely affordable: a half-pound brisket with a side costs under $20 and represents some of the best smoked meat.

Order: Half-pound brisket by weight; one jalapeño cheddar link; free bread and pickles

Tip: Order one meat plus one side for a filling under-$20 meal. The desserts (peach cobbler, banana pudding) are worth the extra few dollars.

2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226

Slow Bone ★ 4.3

Texas Bbq$$$design-districtWed-Sun 11:00-15:00 or sold out

Design District BBQ spot with brisket plates under $17 that receive consistently high praise. Kitchen leans texas bbq. Open wed-sun 11am-3pm or sold out.

Order: Brisket plate with two sides; jalapeño cheddar sausage; homemade peach tea

Tip: No reservations, first-come. The queue moves faster than Pecan Lodge. Thursdays and Fridays at 11am have the fastest service.

2234 Irving Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

Cattleack Barbeque ★ 4.7

American BBQ$$$planoWed-Fri 10:00-14:00, 1st Saturday of each month 10:00-14:00

Michelin Bib Gourmand pitmaster operation open only Thursday and Friday plus the first Saturday each month, producing what many critics consider the best.

Order: Brisket (fatty end); pork ribs; house-made jalapeño sausage

Tip: Arrive at 9:30am. Sells out most days before 1pm. Closed every other Saturday and all of Sunday.

13628 Gamma Rd, Dallas, TX 75244

Lockhart Smokehouse ★ 4.5

Texas Bbq$$bishop-artsSun-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00

The Bishop Arts BBQ institution run by descendants of Kreuz Market's original bloodline, maintaining the Central Texas no-sauce butcher-paper tradition.

Order: Shoulder clod cooked 18-20 hours. Brisket on butcher paper with no sauce.

Tip: If you have not had shoulder clod, this is the place to start. Cooked 18-20 hours over post-oak, it is not available at most Dallas BBQ joints.

400 W Davis St, Dallas, TX 75208 Book →

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