Brisket & Friends: For the love of barbecue

Take beautifully smoked meat with heaps of flavour, add a dash of locally brewed beer, and finish things off with good vibes all around. And just like that, you have Brisket & Friends – the Swedish barbecue franchise serving up a taste of Texas on the other side of the pond.

A successful food venture for over a decade, Brisket & Friends was, as the name suggests, created by pals Ludvig Åström and Niklas Elshazly. Åström had worked in finance but dipped out to travel the USA and to dedicate more time to his barbecue passion – something he shared with chef Elshazly who grew up in New York.

Eventually, the duo’s paths met, a food truck was opened and today, Brisket & Friends has six popular restaurants in various parts of southern Sweden. This includes its Upplandsgatan venue, which is located just five minutes’ walk from Stockholm’s Central Station, with a large garden that is heated all year around.

So, what is the deal with Texas barbecue? Well, for starters, it is delicious. Secondly, the way the meat is smoked is generally milder than other styles you may come across. ”We smoke all our meat in real American-built smokers from Oklahoma, with hickory wood that we import from the USA,” explains Elshazly. “And we get our brisket from grass-fed Black Angus cattle, which adds to the authenticity of what we do. Then we smoke our meat overnight in each restaurant, so that customers always get the freshest experience.”

And although brisket takes centre stage, there is plenty more to enjoy from the menus. Think pulled pork, loads of sides, and vegetarian options, too. All prepared with passion and precision at a decent price. Plus, you can wash it all down with quality beer from local breweries and listen to country tunes while you do. Or, if you want to go all in American, order a traditional pickleback, made with bourbon and pickle juice.

“Our restaurants are relaxed and whether you’re looking for a chilled meal out or something more festive, the vibes are always great,” Elshazly finishes. “Just come as you are, enjoy food with your mates and get bang for your buck. What can I say? We just love Texas barbecue and want to share it with the world.”

Web: www.brisketandfriends.se
Instagram: @brisketandfriends