Why a popular comedian and a Texas BBQ magazine are raving about this Fresno restaurant
Gigging comedians are like perpetual tourists, having to discover new cities on an almost nightly basis.
So, when they shout-out a local food scene, you can trust they have an idea of what they’re talking about.
Think Joe Rogan’s rave-up of Chef Paul’s, in which he gave the restaurant, “two thumbs up. Five stars.”
More recently, Bill Burr praised Mega Texas Barbecue.
On his Monday Morning podcast, the popular comedian said he discovered the gas-station-eatery turned brick-and-mortar restaurant on his last outing in Fresno (there’s photo proof on the restaurant’s social media).
Burr promised he’d be going back.
“If you think I’m not (expletive) going there again, I got another thing coming,” said Burr, who recently hosted Saturday Night Live and will be in town on Wednesday for a performance at the Warnors Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.
“I’m going to (expletive), I’m going eat perfect, right to that day. And then I’m to go up there and I’m going to get one of those (expletive) Texas Twinkies that I’ve been thinking about ever since I had it.”
A Texas Twinkie is a jalapeno stuffed with brisket, creme cheese and spices.
“It was so delicious,” Burr said.
A best in the nation, says Texas Monthly
Mega Texas Barbecue is no hidden gem.
Owners Anthony and Tasha Vallejo opened their full-service spot on the corner of Orange and Butler avenues last year, but only after winning multiple barbecue competition across the state and spending four years inside of an Arco gas station, where they were known for the lines of people waiting to order.
The spot has become a destination for barbecue connoisseurs.
In August, Daniel Vaughn, the barbecue editor at Texas Monthly Magazine visited the restaurant while putting together a comprehensive list of the 50 best Texas-style barbecue restaurants in the United States. The magazine said Mega Texas did well at the barbecue basics (the smoked turkey breast and skin-on chicken thighs) but the smoked trip-tip was some of the best they’d ever eaten.
Mega Texas Barbecue was also named on Yelp’s list of the best 100 place to eat in the northern Central Valley.
This story was originally published November 18, 2024 at 2:08 PM.