Joe’s Texas BBQ — Restaurant in Ko Lanta Yai

Joe’s Texas BBQ in Koh Lanta is hands down one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. My boyfriend (British) and I (South African, so I know a thing or two about good meat!) stumbled upon it by chance during our 4-night stay, and it was so good we went back again the next night for dinner. Seven months later, we still find ourselves thinking about Joe, his warm hospitality, and his unforgettable food.

We had the brisket, ribs, tater tots, and the famous family potato salad, every bite was absolutely incredible, cooked with so much care and flavor that it instantly transported us to true Texas BBQ heaven. The setting itself was just as memorable: fairy lights strung across the space, a relaxed and welcoming vibe, and Joe himself coming around to each table with the warmest smile to introduce himself.

One of our favorite parts of the evening was reading through Joe’s reviews and his personal replies, we couldn’t stop laughing and nodding in agreement. His responses capture his character perfectly: honest, thoughtful, and full of charm.

Joe, thank you for making our time in Koh Lanta even more special. You’ve created something truly fantastic, a restaurant with heart, soul, and food we’ll be dreaming about until the day we come back. We cannot...

The two of us had the Austin platter and it filled us up very well. It should also be enough for 3 people, but then you may want to order another side dish. The prices are rather high, especially for Thailand, but the food is definitely worth it! The meat was excellent, the chicken surprisingly juicy, the pulled pork very smoky and peppery, the pork belly practically melts in your mouth, the ribs are smoky and tender. But the absolute highlight was the brisket, incredibly tasty and tender as butter. The fries are crispy, the dressind for the salad is phenomenal, the beans and potatoe salad are very good (but be aware, its "american/texas style", not how europeans know it). We both love to eat and 90% of our travel fun is getting to know other cuisines and we have never eaten such good BBQ in our lives. The smoothies and milkshakes are also absolutely delicious. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. Joe himself also makes his rounds through the restaurant and talks to every guest in an absolutely non-intrusive manner. You can tell that the well-being of his customers and their opinions are very important to him. Every BBQ fan on vacation in ko lanta should definitely stop by...

This place is the real deal!

I’m an expat who has lived in Asia for many years. I’m happy to eat at a restaurant that can do a facsimile of authentic cuisine. If I can eat Western food that is “close enough”, I’m satisfied.

With that in mind, I did not have great expectations for Joe’s Texas BBQ. It’s located on an island in Thailand and opened a mere few weeks ago. Well, not only is Joe’s more than “close enough” - it could challenge any BBQ joint back in the States. The wife and I ordered some kind of combo platter/set that included pulled pork, ribs, another kind of pork (pork belly?), potato salad, french fries, and baked beans. We absolutely inhaled it. Really good stuff.

The only caveat is that it ain’t cheap. Sandwich/frie combo sets were 300+ baht, and I think our combo platter for two was over 1200 baht. It’s worth it, though. We met Joe himself and he is in fact from Texas. He’s a nice guy serving good food who’s taking a risk opening a small business in a foreign country. So, if you want to treat yourself to what may be the best BBQ in Southeast Asia,...