Texas Smokehouse Removes Brisket from Menu as Beef Prices Skyrocket

Texas barbecue joint drops brisket due to rising beef costs. Owners face tough choices amid inflation and supply chain issues.

Editorial Desk

September 24, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Sinton, Texas — A top-rated Texas barbecue restaurant has removed its signature brisket from the menu after a sharp rise in wholesale beef prices made it financially unsustainable.

Butter’s BBQ, ranked among the state’s best by Texas Monthly, faced a $1-per-pound increase in brisket costs, forcing owner Andrew Soto to consider raising prices to $51 per pound—up from $37. That decision proved too steep for customers, leading him to remove the dish entirely.

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Soto said brisket accounted for more than 70% of his inventory costs and that he had exhausted all options to manage rising expenses. His announcement on social media expressed frustration over the situation, while other Texas smokehouses are also feeling the pressure from inflation and supply chain disruptions.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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