Conroe landed at No. 11 in a national study of the best U.S. cities for a cookout, topping all Texas cities for grilling enthusiasm and barbecue traditions.
Conroe has gained national acclaim for its love of grilling. A city in Montgomery County has secured the 11th spot on Lawn Love’s ranking of “2025’s Best Cities for a Meaty Cookout,” outperforming all other Texas cities in enthusiasm for grilling.
Lawn Love, an online platform linking homeowners to lawn care experts, conducted a study by analyzing 15 essential metrics across 411 cities in the United States. The study took into account certain elements. These factors include the appeal of grilling, the affordability and availability of meat, regional climate conditions, and the general suitability for cookouts.
Raleigh, North Carolina, has secured the number one position in the nation, with Texas cities Georgetown and New Braunfels coming in at second and third place, respectively. Conroe has secured the 11th position, surpassing numerous other prominent cities in Texas. Interestingly, San Antonio, which boasts the highest number of highly rated butchers in the state, ranks No. 43.
Lawn Love reports that Conroe has emerged as the Texas city with the highest Google search interest in grilling, highlighting a vibrant local enthusiasm for backyard barbecues, tailgates, and community cook-offs.
The city's annual Montgomery County Fair BBQ Cook-Off, held every April, attracts over 140 teams, further solidifying its reputation. Moreover, various charity cook-offs are held year-round, and local schools have adopted this tradition as well, with Willis ISD permitting tailgating before high school football games.
“As tailgating season kicks off and Labor Day Weekend approaches, Lawn Love has utilized 15 metrics to evaluate and rank the top cities for a hearty cookout in 2025,” the company announced in a statement.
The study also emphasized wider patterns influencing barbecue enthusiasts across the country. The cost of ground beef has increased by 14% from last year, influenced by rising expenses for popular grilling meats. In the meantime, regional weather challenges are noteworthy—grilling is most prone to interruptions from rain in Mobile, Alabama, and Miami, Florida. At the same time, extreme heat presents the most significant concern in Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
Completing the Top 10 were cities from Arkansas, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia, several of which Lawn Love highlighted as being home to prominent universities known for their vibrant tailgating customs.
For Conroe, this acknowledgment solidifies its status as one of Texas’s most vibrant barbecue destinations, perfectly timed for the upcoming long holiday weekend.
