Rising beef costs push Texas barbecue pitmasters to lose money on brisket
Some barbecue restaurant owners say soaring beef prices are wiping out their profits, especially on brisket — the signature item of many Texas smokehouses. One pitmaster says he now pays more than $6.50 per pound, up from $3.60 in 2020, leaving him losing money even at $35 per pound retail. Owners say they can’t simply raise prices further because customers can’t absorb the increase, leading some to steer diners toward cheaper menu items instead.