Texans love their Barbeque. It is one of those genres of foods Texans love and are proud of. And of course, we think our style is the best! However, other regions across the country are proud of their barbeque as well and might take offense. You may think this review will be about the well-known Pecan Lodge or Terry Blacks Barbeque, which are fan favorites around Dallas, but this review is for another loved restaurant, Ten50 BBQ. Ten50 provides something new to the table. Ten50’s mission when it comes to preparing and serving barbecue promises the customer “Salt, pepper, smoke, and time – that’s all you need for true Texas barbeque, and that’s all you’ll find in our kitchen.” Today, I’m bringing you a look inside arguably one of the best barbeque joints in the Dallas metroplex. Ten50 Barbeque is in Richardson just off Central Expressway and offers some of the best in the house-hickory smoked meat you’ll taste. According to grubhub.com, it is rated at 4.4 stars out of 5 stars, an exceptional rating that many restaurants do not obtain. It has been around since late 2014, coming upon its 10-year anniversary next year.
Texas has branded itself as its own category of barbeque, whether in north Texas or central Texas by Austin. However, compared to other cities around the US like the world-famous Kansas City, Nashville, and St. Louis, I did some research to learn how barbeque is prepared and made whether in a smoker or gas/charcoal grill. Dickey’s Barbeque Pit, which has been around since 1941 in Dallas, declares what separates Texas barbeque from other states is “Texas barbecue has a long and proud history that dates back to the 1800s. It is known for its smoky, savory flavor and is made using a slow-cooking using mesquite wood to smoke the meat in a pit.”
Since the Jesuit Barbeque Club serves various athletic, alumni, and student life events, I thought it would be appropriate to review a restaurant that offers some of the premium meats you can find in the DFW area. For some increased background and knowledge on the topic of barbeque, I did a Q and A with Jesuit BBQ Club member Peyton Bristow ’25 about his thoughts on what constitutes and determines the criteria of great barbeque.
Q and A:
What constitutes great barbeque in your opinion?
You know a place is good when sanitation is not. The stickier the table and the dirtier the floor the better the food is. Plastic silverware is a must along with house BBQ sauce and just a paper towel roll on the table. The food itself should obviously be made in a smoker or grill, whichever is appropriate, and should be able to be visibly chopped and made in front of you. I like to judge a good BBQ place by how good their Mac and cheese is, it’s a personal favorite of mine. It also must have great deserts.
What is your favorite barbeque place?
My favorite place is Hurtados BBQ, which we visited in the BBQ Club, because of the great service and hospitality with even better food. They have unique menu items and come out with new things frequently.
What is your favorite part about being a part of the barbecue club at Jesuit?
My favorite part of the BBQ Club is the community we have. It’s a great place to enrich the brotherhood we get the opportunity to explore at Jesuit as well as learn new skills. The clubs at Jesuit are meant to just do that, which allows us to find our interests and grow in them while being in conjunction with one another.
It is open from ironically 10:50 in the morning to 9 P.M. on Sunday through Thursday. However, on Fridays and Saturdays, it closes at 10 P.M. The art of barbeque is very difficult to master, and many people take it very seriously, and you will find that mentality here at Ten50, whether that be from their excellent selection of prime rib, brisket, smoked chicken, torpedos, turkey, or sausage. Along with the main courses, handcrafted sides are a specialty, and do not forget dessert! Ten50 ensures top quality, along with the option of takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup to make your life convenient on the go for lunch or dinner.
My personal opinion is Ten50 serves the best barbeque in the city. With so many options across the metroplex, I believe the best choice is right in our own backyard. It just brings something else to the table. To illustrate this, before you even set foot in the door, you are greeted by two smoke pit masters working outside in a covered setting, cooking meat to perfection for more than 12+ hours at around 700 degrees.
Choose your meat, grab a tray, and watch the smoke master pile it on your plate. Next, go inside with your tray where you are greeted by friendly faces serving fresh homemade alacart premium sides to complement your mouth-watering meal. At this point, you definitely should not skip dessert! Because as filling as your barbeque might be, their homemade chocolate, key-lime and banana cream pies will finish off the meal perfectly!
The selection of seating is very open inside with four seating arrangements: a bar, two dining areas, and even a back room reserved specifically for parties. There is enough space for everyone!
On top of that, there are also large TV’s around the large dining room to catch your latest sports info plus outdoor seating with long benches and wooden tables; you get a rustic environment almost like you are in the Texas Hill Country. Also, you are guaranteed great entertainment and a comfortable setting with family and friends.
My personal favorite is ordering 1/2 pound of sliced brisket, along with their baked beans, and corn on the cob. Their St. Louis prime ribs are excellent, as is the turkey, plus I’m told they make a mean pulled pork sandwich. Don’t forget about the barbecue sauce. This is absolutely essential while eating. Choose from two: the “house” sauce, which is a traditional barbecue sauce that is also available for purchase. In addition, they serve a Carolina-inspired vinegar sauce too. Try them both, you can’t go wrong!
One aspect, that stands out is the classic truck in the middle of the restaurant. Once you pay and receive your food, you’ll notice a vintage green 1951 Chevrolet truck, used as decoration and earlier used as a stage for musicians. This sets the stage for what Texans like: history, experience, and pickup trucks.
Although there are many options to choose from, there is not a bad choice on the menu, when it comes to entrees, sides, and desserts.
In my opinion, besides the great eats, Ten50 has exceptional customer service and a friendly design. Whether you dine inside or out, you and your friends and family will enjoy the experience, and you feel right at home.
If you are curious on checking my past article about the legendary Cane Rosso, a contemporary Italian restaurant, in the Dallas metroplex. Here is the prior link where I give a description of what this stellar place has to offer.
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more restaurant reviews!
