Que-Zeen - barbecue cuisine

06/13/2026

But, you don't see the same decrease in customers at any of the Starbucks or other coffee shop locations that we've continued to see with BBQ joints.

We love coffee and it's good for your soul, but BBQ is good for your body, heart, soul and mind..... and it fills your belly too!

Why prices jumped: Rising diesel and fertilizer costs, tariffs, drought, and supply chain disruptions are pushing up grocery prices across multiple categories. Which foods hit: Beef prices hit records, coffee surged nearly 19%, and tomatoes rose 39% year over year; some dairy and poultry items saw s...

06/10/2026

The sad reality is that the "steep & inflated" BBQ pricing is actually the enormous cost of doing business in the BBQ world.

We got out before it was too late and saved ourselves lots of headaches and grief.

Texas' cattle herds won't see relief until 2028, experts say.

05/11/2026

03/31/2026

“Most people see the barbecue when it’s sliced and served.
They don’t see the 5 a.m. fires, the long nights, the missed weekends, and the constant pressure to try to get it just right every single time.”

02/16/2026

AUSTIN - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today issued an urgent call to action to protect one of the state's most cherished cultural and economic traditions: Texas Barbeque. A troubling wave of restaurant closures and operational challenges is sweeping across Texas, driven by record-high beef prices, a national cattle herd at its lowest level in 75 years, persistent inflationary pressures, and a resulting softening of consumer demand.

Industry observations and local reports highlight longtime smokehouses in small towns and major cities either shuttering doors or significantly scaling back, as pitmasters grapple with squeezed margins amid rising input costs and reduced customer traffic. At the same time, backyard pitmasters know all too well the squeeze high beef prices have put on families across the state.

“We must find ways to lower beef prices without harming ranchers' livelihoods, ensuring Texas barbecue remains vibrant and accessible,” Miller continued. “This is why I’m calling for an America First beef policy to rebuild our national cattle herd. We need to better incentivize ranchers to retain breeding stock, further expand grazing access, strengthen market transparency, and implement Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling to restore consumer trust.”

Texas barbecue is more than just food. It represents deep-rooted Texas heritage and pride, generations of family traditions, small businesses, and vital jobs in rural and urban communities statewide. As brisket plate prices have risen to luxury levels rather than remaining an affordable Saturday tradition, too many Texas families are being priced out of their local favorites.

“Rising costs and stifled demand driven by high prices for quality beef are putting Texas barbecue businesses and backyard pitmasters at risk,” Commissioner Miller stated. “Many small-town staples are already on the brink, with closures mounting over the past year. If this is a sign of things to come, we must act now.”

Read the full release here: https://texasagriculture.gov/News-Events/Article/10792/Commissioner-Sid-Miller-Calls-for-Urgent-Action-to-Save-Texas-Barbecue

02/06/2026

After looking at my bill this week, I can see exactly why so many folks in the BBQ world are closing their doors.

$8,600 in food cost alone… for a 4-day work week, only being open 3–4 hours a day for lunch. That doesn’t include labor. Doesn’t include overhead. Doesn’t include the hours before sunrise and long after close.

This is a wild time to be in the food service industry—BBQ especially.

We’re in a small town. We only serve lunch. And while it might look like we’re “busy” or “killing it,” the truth is a lot different behind the scenes. Many of us only make money 3–4 hours out of a 24-hour day.

If you’ve ever wondered why pitmasters grind so hard for that Top 50 list…
Why we depend so heavily on travelers stopping through…
Why we show up every day no matter how tired, sore, or beat down we are…

This is your sign.

If there’s ever been a time to support your local BBQ joint, it’s right now.
Because I promise you—no matter how long the line looks, or how packed the place feels—we’re not raking it in. We’re just fighting to keep the fire lit and the doors open.

And we’re grateful for every single person who chooses to show up.

02/06/2026

I talked to seven restaurant owners about why they decided to close in the last few months and two who are desperately trying to hold on to make it through 2026.

08/19/2025

THIS is our current dilemma and has halted any immediate progress towards our planned future business ventures.
Just not a good economic time to be in the BBQ business in rural Central Texas where most folks prefer beef, but can't or won't pay $40/lb for brisket.

08/05/2025

But don't you worry, you'll still be able to buy your brisket sandwiches.

08/02/2025

FLASH FLOOD WARNING ⚠️ Flash Flood Warning for Northwestern Bandera County, Southwestern Gillespie County, and Central Kerr County until. 7:15 p.m. https://foxsanantonio.com/weather
Rises of 3 to 6ft are possible along the North & South forks of the Guadalupe River. TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN!