How To Fill The Gaping Void Left By Chipotle's Fan-Favorite Brisket
You knew it was not meant to last from the get-go, but you went ahead and fell in love anyway. Now, sleep is elusive when the waves of memories wash over you at night ... Okay, maybe it wasn't that dramatic, but Chipotle's smoked brisket is deeply missed by some despite getting mixed reviews on social media. "I'm gonna miss it so much, it was by far my favorite thing to cook, and customers really seemed to love it at our location," one Chipotle staffer posted on Reddit.
The Mexican fast food restaurant cut the cord on their smoked brisket in November 2021, per CNN. Chipotle's CEO Brian Niccol said the company was "really happy" with the sales and may consider bringing it back in the future. They initially added smoked brisket to their menu for a limited time in September 2021 after a successful test, as CNN reported in 2020. According to the outlet, the company's spokesperson had also suggested that the duration of the sale would depend on customer feedback.
Chipotle may or may not bring back the smoked brisket, but there is a brisket-shaped void in fans' hearts that begs to be filled. Here are some alternatives that you might love.
Franklin Barbecue
Aaron Franklin, one of the top pitmasters in America (via PBS), opened Franklin Barbeque in 2009. Texas Monthly once crowned it the "best barbecue in the state (i.e., the world)." The late Anthony Bourdain famously told HuffPost in 2012 that it served the "finest brisket I've ever had" after waiting in line for an hour and a half. "I could tell just from the way it hit the cutting board that this was going to be just earth-shatteringly good. And it was indeed," he said.
Lucky for you, Franklin Barbecue has teamed up with Goldbelly to ship their world-famous brisket anywhere in the United States. A majority of customers who ordered it from the platform raved about the brisket and said the packaging was well done.
Arby's
If fast food brisket is what your taste buds really need, Arby's serves a mean smokehouse brisket (at least according to some). Arby's website says their brisket is smoked for 13 hours (Got 13 hours to spare? Check out their insane 13-hour commercial for it) and nestles between toasted buns with crispy onion strings, smokey barbeque sauce, and mild cheddar. Deliveries are available in most locations, per the website. Alternatively, you can order it using services like Doordash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub.
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
When it comes to lip-smackingly delicious smoked meat, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que is a carnivore heaven. In 2012, Men's Health named it "the manliest restaurant in America." Years later, the appeal is seemingly the same. Out of Yelp's 4,300 plus ratings for the restaurant, 3,200 plus are five stars from customers who loved their food, brisket included. "Some of the greatest BBQ I have ever had! The beef brisket is absolutely amazing!" one customer wrote.
"If you care a lot about someone, barbecue is a great way to show it!" the restaurant's website says, and you don't have to be in Kansas City for that. You can enjoy Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que from anywhere in continental America, per their website. They deliver to Alaska and Hawaii, too.
Hutchins BBQ
Tripadvisor says Hutchins BBQ serves the best smoky treats in Frisco, and the glowing online reviews surely back it up. "Can't live without the brisket. The best BBQ in the north of DFW, [you] won't regret it," one customer wrote. According to Hutchins BBQ's website, their brisket is "wet aged for 45 days and seasoned with our signature brisket seasoning" and they cook it for 18 hours. One Redditor recommends it's best enjoyed without sauce as it "ruined the flavor smoked into the meat." Hutchins BBQ ships anywhere in the nation as long as the order is at least $400 with a 48-hour notice.
Pappy's Smokehouse
Pappy's Smokehouse sells Memphis-style barbecue that people can't seem to get enough of, per Tripadvisor's reviews. Southern Living called it "the best barbecue joint in Missouri." While the restaurant is more famous for its ribs, people love their brisket, too, although some customers said the briskets were "too thin" on Yelp. You can order them online on Goldbelly.
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
Per their website, Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q is "one of the oldest and most prestigious barbecue restaurants in the world." Over the years, they have won several barbecue competitions including 10 World Championships, as suggested by their website. No wonder they have tons of glowing reviews on Tripadvisor. They have partnered up with Goldbelly to make nationwide deliveries.
Make your own brisket
If ordering brisket from miles away seems like a hassle to you, you'll be stoked to know that you can smoke your own brisket in the comfort of your home. To make simple smoked brisket, check out this recipe by Tasting Table. If you're feeling a little adventurous and are ready to "brisket" all, try their five-spice braised seder brisket recipe or make this delicious slow cooker barbecue brisket.