Nothing gold can stay. Arlington’s Bodacious Bar-B-Que, one of the state’s most historic barbecue joints will close its doors this August after 34 years of business.
North Texas is home to its fair share of barbecue institutions. Most recently, Texas Monthly released its once-every-four-year ’50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas’ compendium, highlighting multiple DFW-area concepts including Goldee’s Barbecue in Fort Worth at No. 3.
One of the area’s fixtures over the past decades has been Bodacious Bar-B-Que at 1206 E Division St. in Arlington. Established in 1991, the restaurant is a part of a heritage that traces back when Roland and opened the original smokehouse in 1968 in Longview. The flagship Bodacious Bar-B-Que was recognized as a Texas Treasure Business in 2018.
Since its inception in Longview, Bodacious has expanded numerous locally-owned locations primarily in North and East Texas, including Plano, Kilgore, Tyler, Lufkin, Sulphur Springs, Henderson, and Winnsboro. Over the years, Bodacious has received acclaim for its traditional Central Texas-style barbecue. Bodacious favorites include its brisket, sausages, pork ribs, and burnt ends.
While no specific date has been announced, the Arlington barbecue restaurant will close this August, as confirmed by its owner Fran Ruegsegger on Facebook:
“Yes, the rumors are true,” wrote Fran Ruegsegger on Facebook. “After 34 years in Arlington, Bodacious BarBQ will be closing in August. We have been blessed to have met so many wonderful people through the years and our customers have truly become more like family and friends instead of just customers.”
Bodacious Bar-B-Que in Arlington will close its doors in August 2025. Until then, the restaurant will be in full operation and encourages locals to get their fill before the final date.