Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inJasmine FernándezWednesday 23 September 2026 22:03 BSTAgriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins won't say which countries U.S. is importing low-cost beef fromButter's BBQ in Sinton, Texas, became the first smokehouse on Texas Monthly's top 50 list to completely remove brisket from its menu due to skyrocketing wholesale beef prices.Owner Andrew Soto decided after wholesale costs surged by $1 a pound in a single week, which would have forced him to raise customer prices from $37 to $51 per pound for the state's signature cut.A national cattle herd shrinkage to a 75-year low caused by drought, along with post-pandemic operating costs and tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump, pushed average U.S. retail beef prices to a record $9.64 a pound in April.Several Texas barbecue joints have already been forced to close permanently as customers cut back on dining out due to high menu prices that can easily total $70 to $100 per meal.To survive the industry-wide crisis, pitmasters are pivoting to cheaper cuts like smoked beef cheeks, though owners warn independent operators across the state remain in survival mode and at constant risk of closure.In fullOne of Texas’ top smokehouses is taking brisket off the menu because of soaring beef prices and inflationMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in