It was an excellent week for pitmaster Esaul Ramos Jr. and 2M Smokehouse.
On Tuesday, Texas Regular monthly rated 2M Smokehouse amongst the 50 ideal barbeque joints in the state.
On Thursday, 2M Smokehouse landed an area at the San Antonio International Flight terminal for one decade, many thanks to a food and drink agreement with one voice accepted by city board.
Over 3 days recently, Ramos and his smokehouse won sought after acknowledgment and a gold possibility.
The possibility: Beginning in July of 2026, 2M will certainly sign up with Popeye’s, Bakeshop Lorraine and The Sampling Area in Incurable B at the airport terminal.
” This really feels outstanding,” Ramos stated outside San Antonio City board chambers after the ballot. “It’s a big win for me. It’s been an excellent week. God is great.”
The food and drink agreement, granted to Host True Flavors, supplies greater than 5,000 square feet for 4 principles to run in Incurable B. The principles should create a yearly minimum of $1 million, which will certainly sustain airport terminal upkeep and procedures.
In November, the city board accepted a food and drink agreement for Terminal A that will certainly consist of Southerleigh Penalty Food & & Brewery, Tre Trattoria, Pharm Table, Products Fried Poultry, Cook Johnny’s Mercado and Panda Express.
” This is mosting likely to alter the vacationers’ experience,” stated Johnny Hernandez, owner of Host True Flavors and La Gloria. “When La Gloria opened up at the airport terminal 12 years earlier, individuals stated, ‘Allow’s arrive very early to have morning meal.’ Or ‘Allow’s arrive very early to have lunch.’ That was never ever the objective to start with. It was ‘Rush and reach eviction.’ And now, I assume that’s a concept we are mosting likely to improve and advertise with the brand-new principles.”
Ramos concurs. He intends to offer morning meal, in addition to favored meats, at a scaled-down variation of 2M.
” We’re mosting likely to use morning meal alternatives,” stated Ramos, that runs 2M on the South Side. “We’ll have some tacos and biscuit sandwiches. We will, without a doubt, have brisket and, with any luck, a hamburger. We’ll have a two-meat, two-sides plate. It will certainly be a compressed variation of what we do. Yet we’ll maintain the top quality and requirement.”
2M smokes a few of the very best brisket in Texas. So claims nearly everyone. The smokehouse opens up with lengthy lines in the early morning and shuts when the meat is gone, which dissatisfies the 30 to 50 that obtain averted daily.
Ramos examined under among the terrific pitmasters, John Lewis, at La Bbq in Austin. Ramos left that smokehouse to begin 2M on W.W. White Roadway in 2016. Within months of opening, Texas Regular monthly rated 2M amongst the state’s leading barbeque joints. The publication releases its Leading 50 listing every 4 years.
” Because we have actually been open, we have actually had the ability to land an area on their listing,” stated Ramos, pointing out acknowledgment in 2017, 2021 and 2025. “That’s not what we laid out to do. Yet it behaves. I’m not gon na exist.”
From the publication’s newest proclaim: “This joint goes to as soon as traditional and unique, offering a few of the state’s most scrumptious smoked brisket together with offerings that mirror pitmaster Esaul Ramos’ Mexican American origins: mouthwatering road corn, spicy marinaded nopales, cozy flour tortillas, mac and cheese covered with chicharrones, delicious pork sausage packed with serranos and Oaxaca cheese, and tres leches cake baked by Ramos’ partner, Grecia.”
Texas Regular monthly has actually included tales on Ramos (Burning Inquiries with 2M Smokehouse), his partner (Grecia Ramos Works Up Fascinating Treats For 2M Smokehouse) and both with each other (This Power Pair Shows Bbq and French Bread Are a Suit Made In Paradise).
” At the end of the day, it implies we’re doing it right,” Esaul stated. “We’re doing it continually. They see that and they’re recognizing us. My group. I have a team of 11 that are spent and placing in effort. We’re open 4 days however function 7 days a week.”
Barbecue was Esaul’s teen desire. At Southwest Senior High School, he envisioned running a smokehouse. Barbecuing sausage. Cigarette smoking brisket. Offering meat for a living.
What he really did not picture was gaining nationwide praise. Esaul has actually two times been chosen for a James Beard Honor. In 2024, 2M obtained a Michelin Overview referral.
” It’s all great,” the Michelin Overview composed, “however ensure to attempt their succulent brisket or heavily cut turkey bust with a citrus-pepper flavoring.”
Nine years after opening up, 2M obtained the thumbs-up to broaden to the airport terminal.
” Being birthed and increased in San Antonio, it implies a whole lot to be able to use something below that I enjoy doing,” Esaul stated. “I reach use it to the daily vacationer. And they will certainly reach take a little of San Antonio home with them.”
