Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew, the Central Texas barbecue restaurant in Luther, Iowa, made USA TODAY’s list of best restaurants in the country.
The 2026 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list, released today, features 39 restaurants from fine-dining establishments to mom-and-pop taquerias.
“Well, put that in your pit and smoke it!” owner Gwen Page said when she found out Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew made the list. ”I am beyond honored to share this incredible honor from USA TODAY with our talented, kind, and hard-working team. We bring big Texas inspiration to our 125-person town of Luther, Iowa, on the cornerstones of golden standard food, warm guest service, and local business support through our food partnerships and Iowa craft beers on tap. I’m increasingly more and more proud each day to support our team as we celebrate continuous improvement and smoke bigger goals each year. We look forward to ‘meating’ all of you with our location in Luther offering recreation opportunities at nearby Ledges Park, Seven Oaks, Boone and Scenic Valley Railway, and the Iowa Arboretum.”
USA TODAY Network food journalists from across the country pooled their expertise to select the list, which includes the places they know, love and recommend.
Whatcha Smokin? was chosen for its outstanding barbecue dishes that range from smoked turkey and pork loin to Frito pies and brisket nachos. People come from all over to wait in line for Central Texas-style fatty brisket so tender it melts in your mouth, burnt ends cubed for weekly specials, and pulled pork that’s dry-rubbed with five spices and smoked for 12-14 hours for deep flavor and bark. All are smoked in-house with white and red oak woods in a Moberg smoker.
Here’s the full list and more about Whatcha Smokin?.
See the rest of the list here:
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Central Iowa barbecue makes USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year list
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
