Texas Barbecue Joint Prepares 20,000 Pounds of Brisket for 2026 World Cup
Zavala’s Barbecue in Grand Prairie, Texas, is preparing for an influx of 3 million tourists expected for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The small operation plans to stay open for 30 consecutive days, a record for the establishment, to meet demand. This preparation includes smoking 20,000 pounds of brisket and hundreds of pounds of house-made sausage.
Zavala’s Barbecue, located in Grand Prairie, Texas, is gearing up to serve an estimated 3 million tourists attending the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The establishment will operate for 30 days straight, marking its longest continuous operation to date.
To accommodate the anticipated demand, the barbecue joint is preparing a substantial volume of meat. This includes 20,000 pounds of brisket and hundreds of pounds of sausage. Weekly preparations involve trimming, dry-rubbing, and smoking approximately 200 beef briskets. These briskets are seasoned with a simple salt and pepper rub.
Daily operations commence at 4 a.m. with 250 pounds of house-made sausage being grilled. Once the sausage achieves a specific snappy texture, it is soaked in ice water. Carnitas are also prepared, grilled for several hours before being returned to the smoker for an additional three hours in a mixture of coke and oranges, ensuring the meat is tender.
Owner Joe Zavala attributes the ability to manage such a high volume of barbecue, distributed across six smokers, to team consistency and collective oversight. He emphasizes that all team members are involved in monitoring temperatures and fires, ensuring accountability and consistent meat quality.
(Source: Eater)
