Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse

Established in 1958, this family-owned barbecue joint is now a popular chain with locations throughout the Lone Star State (there’s even an outpost in Sandy, Utah). At the flagship location in Oak Lawn, huge crowds arrive at lunchtime, as they always have, seeking Sonny’s original home-smoked brisket. Patrons order from the mounted, wood-framed menu and then have a seat at an individual antique school desk or outside at a wooden picnic table. In addition to the brisket, diners also enjoy the pulled pork and oversize onion rings, and the homemade barbecue sauce, which is stored in Corona bottles and kept warm atop a heater, is good on just about everything.