From Newsgroup: alt.food.fast-food

Are running rampant in Texas now:
https://archive.ph/AyTW8
Some of TexasrCOs oldest barbecue joints close as meat prices skyrocket
Even the staterCOs most celebrated restaurants are struggling to remain
open as costs climb, with no relief in sight.
HOUSTON rCo If the Texas barbecue industry had an alarm, it would be the spreadsheet that Russell Roegels uses to track the price of brisket. On a recent morning, sitting at a quiet table in his suburban restaurant, he pointed to the number at the top of the column: $5.56. ThatrCOs the price he pays for a pound of the most important item on any barbecue menu in Texas.
Over the past year, that number has risen 28 percent, a reflection of the spiking meat prices that have dented the pocketbooks of average grocery store customers nationwide. Inside the kitchens of TexasrCOs more than 3,000 barbecue purveyors, whose very existence depends on a plentiful and affordable supply of quality beef, the effect has been close to cataclysmal.
Roegels, 53, grew up working at a barbecue joint and has run his own since 2001, serving some of HoustonrCOs elite and their friends, including former President George H. W. Bush, NFL veteran Gary Kubiak and former Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte. He used to be able to offset the high wholesale cost by selling other meats and side dishes. But this year he realized that wasnrCOt enough. So Roegels made the risky decision to raise the price he charges customers for brisket by $2, to $35 a pound rCo a 6 percent increase rCo and hoped his clientele wouldnrCOt defect.
rCLThis is as bad as it gets,rCY he said of escalating beef prices. rCLEverybodyrCOs at risk these days: YourCOre one bad week from closing.rCY
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From Newsgroup: alt.food.fast-food

On 5/25/2026 12:50 PM, Milo Trax wrote:

Are running rampant in Texas now:

https://archive.ph/AyTW8

Some of TexasrCOs oldest barbecue joints close as meat prices skyrocket
Even the staterCOs most celebrated restaurants are struggling to remain
open as costs climb, with no relief in sight.

HOUSTON rCo If the Texas barbecue industry had an alarm, it would be the spreadsheet that Russell Roegels uses to track the price of brisket. On a recent morning, sitting at a quiet table in his suburban restaurant, he pointed to the number at the top of the column: $5.56. ThatrCOs the price he pays for a pound of the most important item on any barbecue menu in Texas.
Over the past year, that number has risen 28 percent, a reflection of the spiking meat prices that have dented the pocketbooks of average grocery store customers nationwide.

Based on normal inflation, brisket in Texas should be about $2.60
retail, less for restaurants. About 1990 is was $.99 lb.

https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm
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From Newsgroup: alt.food.fast-food

On Mon, 25 May 2026 14:23:51 -0400
Ed P <esp@snet.n> wrote:

On 5/25/2026 12:50 PM, Milo Trax wrote:

Are running rampant in Texas now:

https://archive.ph/AyTW8

Some of TexasrCOs oldest barbecue joints close as meat prices
skyrocket Even the staterCOs most celebrated restaurants are
struggling to remain open as costs climb, with no relief in sight.

HOUSTON rCo If the Texas barbecue industry had an alarm, it would be
the spreadsheet that Russell Roegels uses to track the price of
brisket. On a recent morning, sitting at a quiet table in his
suburban restaurant, he pointed to the number at the top of the
column: $5.56. ThatrCOs the price he pays for a pound of the most
important item on any barbecue menu in Texas.

Based on normal inflation, brisket in Texas should be about $2.60
retail, less for restaurants. About 1990 is was $.99 lb.

https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

That's where it was, true.
But not where it is these days:
AI Overview
In Texas, wholesale raw commercial briskets
cost between $4.50 and $6.00 per pound for a whole packer. For
ready-to-eat smoked brisket, expect to pay between $25 to $43 per pound
at popular craft barbecue joints across the state.The cost varies
depending on the grade and whether you are buying raw wholesale meat or
fully prepared barbecue:Raw Commercial Brisket
(Wholesale/Retail)Select/Choice Grade: Typically $4.00 to $5.00 per
pound.Prime Grade: Usually $5.00 to $6.50 per pound.Wagyu (e.g., SRF):
Can range from $12 to $25+ per pound depending on the marble score.Note
for restaurants: The "yield" of a raw brisket is only about 45-50%
after you trim the fat cap and cook it low and slow for 12rCo16 hours.
Because of this, a raw $5/lb brisket actually costs closer to $10 to
$12 per usable pound before labor and overhead
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