GUN BARREL CITY, TX – Soulman’s Bar-B-Que, a cornerstone of the North and East Texas culinary landscape for over half a century, has officially announced its latest expansion with the opening of its newest location in Gun Barrel City. The new restaurant, situated at 938 W. Main Street, represents a strategic move to bring the brand’s storied "low and slow" smoking traditions to the burgeoning Cedar Creek Lake community.

The facility, which quietly opened its doors on August 3, 2026, is now preparing for a multi-stage celebratory launch. This includes an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, and a large-scale Grand Opening Festival on Saturday, September 26. The expansion marks the 21st location for the family-owned institution, further cementing its status as one of the most resilient and beloved regional barbecue chains in the United States.

Main Facts: A New Chapter in the Cedar Creek Lake Region

The arrival of Soulman’s Bar-B-Que in Gun Barrel City is more than a simple restaurant opening; it is a significant commercial development for the Henderson County area. The new location is positioned to serve not only the residents of Gun Barrel City but also the surrounding communities of Mabank, Eustace, and the seasonal tourist population of Cedar Creek Lake.

Key Event Schedule

To integrate with the local community, Soulman’s has coordinated two distinct events:

1. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (September 15, 2026): Organized in partnership with the Cedar Creek Lake Chamber of Commerce, this event serves as the formal introduction of the brand to the local business community. It will feature attendance by municipal leaders, Chamber representatives, and Soulman’s executive leadership.
2. The Grand Opening Festival (September 26, 2026): Designed as a public-facing celebration, this event will include family-oriented activities, exclusive food promotions, and the brand’s signature "Rib Eating Contest." The contest has historically served as a major draw for the brand, pitting local residents against one another in a test of speed and appetite for the title of "Barbecue Champion."

Culinary Offerings

The Gun Barrel City location adheres to the rigorous standards that have defined Soulman’s since 1974. The menu features eight distinct types of meat, all smoked over genuine hickory wood. Key offerings include:

• Signature Brisket: Slow-smoked to achieve the traditional Texas "bark."
• St. Louis Style Ribs: The centerpiece of the upcoming grand opening contest.
• Homemade Sides: Including the proprietary Ranch House beans and Texas-style cream corn.
• Dessert Classics: The brand’s famous banana pudding, a staple since the company’s inception in Pleasant Grove.

Chronology: Fifty Years of "Low and Slow"

The trajectory of Soulman’s Bar-B-Que is a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional Texas pitmaster techniques. To understand the significance of the Gun Barrel City opening, one must look at the company’s fifty-year timeline.

The Foundation (1974–1990s)

Soulman’s was founded in 1974 in Pleasant Grove, Texas. The original mission was humble: provide high-quality Texas-style barbecue with a focus on "Faith, Food, and Family." During these early decades, the company focused on perfecting its recipes, specifically its reliance on hickory wood for smoking—a choice that distinguishes it from many modern chains that have moved toward electric or gas-assisted smokers.

Regional Expansion (2000s–2020)

Under the leadership of CEO Brett Randle and the founding family, Soulman’s began a methodical expansion across the North Texas "outer ring." This growth saw the brand move into markets like Rockwall, Mesquite, and Forney. The strategy focused on suburban and rural-adjacent communities where the demand for authentic, non-franchised-feeling barbecue remained high.

Modern Era and Gun Barrel City (2021–2026)

In the post-pandemic landscape, Soulman’s accelerated its growth in East Texas. The Gun Barrel City site was selected due to the area’s unique demographic mix of permanent residents and weekend visitors to the lake. The site selection at 938 W. Main Street places the restaurant in a high-traffic corridor, ensuring visibility to commuters and vacationers alike. Following the August 3 soft opening, the September festivities serve as the "official" stake in the ground for the brand’s future in Henderson County.

Supporting Data: Recognition and Regional Footprint

Soulman’s Bar-B-Que has consistently outperformed national competitors in critical reviews and consumer satisfaction indices. The brand’s expansion is backed by a litany of industry accolades that validate its business model.

Industry Accolades

Over the past decade, Soulman’s has been recognized by several major publications:

• 2025: Named one of the "Best Regional Barbecue Chains to Try at Least Once" by Eat This, Not That.
• 2024: Featured in AOL’s "Best Roadside Restaurants in America" and The Daily Meal’s "Top Bar-B-Que Chains in America."
• 2020: Recognized by Thrillist as providing the "Best Bar-B-Que in Dallas for Takeout & Delivery."
• 2018: Ranked among the "Best Bar-B-Que Chains in America" by Yahoo Finance.

The 21-Location Network

The Gun Barrel City location joins an extensive network of restaurants across North and East Texas. This network allows for supply chain efficiencies while maintaining the "family-owned" quality control. Current locations include:

• North Texas Hubs: Allen, Cedar Hill, Fort Worth, Garland, Lewisville, Mansfield, and North Richland Hills.
• East Texas/Suburban Corridor: Forney, Greenville, Hurst, Lancaster, Mabank, Mesquite, Quinlan, Red Oak, Rockwall (two locations), Royse City, Sulphur Springs, Terrell, Van, and now Gun Barrel City.

Official Responses: A Focus on Community and Tradition

Executive leadership at Soulman’s emphasizes that the expansion is not merely about increasing store count, but about fostering community ties.

Brett Randle, CEO of Soulman’s Bar-B-Que, highlighted the social aspect of the brand’s mission. "For more than 50 years, Soulman’s has believed that great barbecue has a way of bringing people together," Randle stated. "That’s why we’re excited to join the Gun Barrel City community. We look forward to serving authentic Texas barbecue, welcoming our neighbors like family, and creating a place where memories are made around the table."

Erik Rasmussen, a key figure in the brand’s operations, echoed these sentiments, focusing on the local impact. "Opening a new Soulman’s is about more than serving great barbecue—it’s about being part of the community," Rasmussen said. "We can’t wait to welcome our neighbors, get to know the families who walk through our doors, and build the kind of place where everyone feels at home."

The involvement of the Cedar Creek Lake Chamber of Commerce further underscores the local support for the project. Chamber officials have noted that the addition of a recognized brand like Soulman’s provides an anchor for the West Main Street commercial district, potentially attracting further retail and service-oriented development.

Implications: Economic and Cultural Impact

The opening of Soulman’s in Gun Barrel City carries several implications for the local economy and the broader Texas barbecue industry.

Local Economic Stimulus

The establishment of a 21st location creates immediate local employment opportunities, ranging from pitmasters and kitchen staff to management and front-of-house service. Furthermore, Soulman’s has a history of sourcing locally where possible and participating in community fundraisers, which suggests a long-term recirculating of capital within Gun Barrel City.

The "Roadside" Strategy

Soulman’s success in being named one of the "Best Roadside Restaurants in America" highlights a specific strategic niche. By focusing on locations like Gun Barrel City—which serves as a gateway to recreational areas—Soulman’s captures a "destination dining" market. This strategy allows the brand to compete effectively against national fast-food chains by offering a high-quality, culturally authentic alternative to travelers.

Preservation of BBQ Heritage

As the barbecue industry increasingly moves toward automation and mass production, Soulman’s insistence on "low and slow" hickory smoking at all 21 locations represents a commitment to preserving Texas culinary heritage. The Gun Barrel City location serves as a new "classroom" for this tradition, introducing younger generations to the labor-intensive process of genuine pit smoking.

Future Growth Outlook

The successful launch of the Gun Barrel City location suggests that Soulman’s has found a repeatable model for expansion into secondary and tertiary Texas markets. Analysts suggest that the brand may continue to look toward the East Texas and I-20 corridors for future sites, leveraging its reputation for consistency and family-centric service.

As Gun Barrel City prepares for the Grand Opening Festival on September 26, the local excitement is palpable. With fifty years of history at its back and a new community at its table, Soulman’s Bar-B-Que is poised to remain a dominant force in the Texas barbecue scene for the foreseeable future.