5 Restaurant Chains With the Best Brisket & Cornbread, According to Chefs
Few barbecue combinations are as satisfying as tender brisket with a piece of cornbread on the side. The smoky, savory meat pairs naturally with the slightly sweet bread, making for a hearty meal that doesn’t need much else. But not every restaurant gets both components right. “Brisket and cornbread is a combination where I’m looking for two things: tender, flavorful brisket and cornbread that’s moist inside with just enough sweetness,” explains Dennis Littley, Chef and Culinary Expert at Ask Chef Dennis. “You don’t need a lot of bells and whistles when the meat has been cooked properly.” According to Chef Dennis, there are a handful of chains getting the combination right and here are the top five.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is a natural choice for a classic barbecue plate, with Texas-style offerings at the center of its menu. Its brisket and cornbread make a straightforward pairing for anyone craving a traditional barbecue meal. “Dickey’s is one of the first places I’d think of for this combination,” says Chef Dennis. “Their Texas-style brisket is smoked low and slow, and pairing it with their buttery cornbread gives you that classic barbecue experience.” He adds, “The brisket is the star, as it should be, but the cornbread makes a great side.”
Mission BBQ
Mission BBQ takes a meat-forward approach to barbecue, offering brisket alongside classic sides. Adding cornbread to the plate creates a simple combination that lets the main dish remain the focus. “Mission BBQ does a very good job with smoked meats, and their brisket is exactly the kind of barbecue I look for: smoky, tender, and flavorful,” Chef Dennis explains. “Add their cornbread and you’ve got a satisfying plate that doesn’t need much else.”
Famous Dave’s
Famous Dave’s offers a wide-ranging barbecue menu, but you don’t need to pile on a variety of dishes to build a satisfying meal. Brisket with cornbread keeps the order simple while bringing together two longtime barbecue staples. “Famous Dave’s has a broad barbecue menu, but the brisket is where I’d start,” says Chef Dennis. “Their smoked Texas beef brisket paired with cornbread gives you that combination of smoky, savory meat and slightly sweet bread that makes barbecue so enjoyable.
City Barbeque
City Barbeque offers the kind of menu you’d expect from a barbecue-focused restaurant, with smoked meats and Southern-inspired sides available in a casual setting. Brisket and cornbread are an easy pairing for diners who want a classic barbecue plate. “City Barbeque is a great choice when you’re looking for authentic barbecue without having to visit a traditional standalone smokehouse,” says Chef Dennis. “Their brisket is smoked low and slow, giving it that tender texture and deep smoky flavor I look for, and their cornbread makes the perfect sweet and savory pairing.” He adds, “This is the kind of barbecue plate where you really don’t need to overcomplicate things.”
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q
Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q has plenty of options for building a barbecue meal, from its slow-smoked meats to its assortment of Southern sides. If you’re specifically after brisket and cornbread, the two make a satisfying alternative to the chain’s better-known cheese biscuits. “Their brisket is slow-smoked for hours to develop plenty of flavor, and their famous homemade cheese biscuits are a signature, but I’d pair the brisket with their cornbread when you’re specifically looking for that classic barbecue combination,” says Chef Dennis. “The smoky beef with a slightly sweet bread is a match that just works.”