05/31/2026
The BBQ capital of the world is in serious trouble. Droughts and operating costs have decimated the beef industry, forcing many restaurants who purchase large quantities of beef to shut down.
“This is as bad as it gets,” Houston-area pitmaster Russell Roegels told the Washington Post, "You’re one bad week from closing.”
Ground beef prices have gone up 15% from a year ago, and pitmasters say wholesale brisket now costs $6 per pound before smoking, trimming and labor — meaning restaurants have to charge as much as $35 to $40 per pound just to stay in business.